Assistant Producer, Q2 (Manhattan)

Aug. 12, 2011

New York, NY

Confidential

Assistant Producer, Q2

The Assistant Producer will work closely with the Q2 producer and the entire WQXR digital team to aid in the transformation of the vibrant contemporary classical music scene into immersive and forward-thinking online environments. The Assistant Producer will possess both the interpersonal, technical, aesthetic, musical and web-savvy skills necessary to assist in the programming of a new-music station and website.

New York City is an international center for the intellectually curious. Many untapped communities of young audiences exist, eager for a means by which to engage with the rich local and global music scenes. Their home is becoming ever increasingly the internet. However, news means of diffusion (podcasting, on-demand streaming, videos) are redefining how people listen. Innovative work must be done by the Assistant Producer to ensure that all industry digital and musical standards are maintained while keeping an eye to new and compelling means of distribution and community-engagement.

The assistant producer for Q2 should be capable of juggling all the elements that go into the production of a radio station and website. With an awareness of how to translate the local and international new-music scenes into compelling, elegant playlists and ambitious online environments when needed, the Assistant Producer both assists in ensuring the consistency of the Q2 identity but also researches untapped voices and emerging musical communities. The Assistant Producer coordinates the basic framework of the station, thereby providing it an opportunity to grow, experiment and flourish.

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Assist Q2 Producer in the curation of Q2-identity driven playlists that embrace the best in contemporary classical music, from hyper-local to international

Coordinate outreach, writing and social media for the Q2 calendar: a calendar specific to NYC shows of music by living composers

Coordinate contractual agreements between artists/ensembles and venue and NYPR for live Webcasts, on-demand audio and video

Maintain logistical, technical and web-related components of the Q2 stream, including shows

Provide streamlined promotional copy for wqxr.org and WQXR promotion managers for the creation of live reads and produced promos

Ensure promotion of weekly specials through e-blasts and social media

Aid hosts, regular and guest, in the programming, editing and post-production of shows

Assist Q2 Producer in the implementation of multimedia festivals which demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of NYC and global events and anniversaries

Research emerging, obscured audiences and younger demographics who are poised to adopt classical music as their language and whose primary information medium is the internet

Take photographs, video and write blogs for social media and wqxr.org whenever needed

Ensure the programming and integration into the Q2 library of fresh, hot-off-the-presses sounds that fit the station identity and its diverse day parts

Develop an original, multi-disciplinary, researched and efficient workflow to intertwine current events, local concerts, and recent recordings with Q2-related festivals

Serve as additional Q2 contact with industry representatives at shows and musical gatherings to ensure currency with developing projects and fresh repertoire

Comply with all New York Public Radio policies and guidelines

This position requires use of a computer, telephone and other office and/or broadcast equipment; ability to communicate effectively through a variety of methods

Ability to work extended hours as needed

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree required

Minimum of 1-2 years relevant experience

Voracious appetite for classical music, in all forms, guises, and genealogies

Proficiency in D.A.V.I.D., ProTools, Prophet/NexGen, Music Master for maintaining databases and recording, editing and distributing interviews and diverse audio tracks

Experience working with guest curators / programmers of all backgrounds to produce audio, photographic, video and written content for online and extended on-air festival purposes

Ability to write passionately and efficiently about concerts, recordings, musical trends and present it elegantly

Aggressive awareness of budding contemporary composers, young interpreters and ensembles in addition to deep familiarity with classical canon

Ability to track composers, performers and ensembles that coincide with the mission of Q2, as well as channel this music to the different facets of both Q2 and WQXR

Far-reaching interest in all fields of the arts and humanities and willingness to create new associations with music so as to highlight its relevance from all angles

High degree of proficiency with HTML, Content Management Systems, Microsoft Word/Excel, FTP clients so as to create and manage digital and online content for q2live.org

Streamlined understanding of New York and international musical venues so as to position station as nexus of global new-music scene

Obsessive drive to further the repositioning of contemporary classical music of all stripes in mainstream awareness

Requires the intellectual and emotional depth, maturity, self-confidence and interpersonal skills to work effectively and/or interact with the other WQXR staff, executives at NYPR, board trustees, colleagues, industry representatives and cultural partners (as needed)

Excellent communication skills--both oral and written--with an impressive reputation for building and maintaining relationships with people at all levels of an organization, across a diverse range of cultural, generational, ethnic, racial, educational and social backgrounds

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between New York Public Radio and AFTRA.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

About New York Public Radio:

New York Public Radio is home to three of the country's leading public radio stations* -- WNYC 93.9 FM, WNYC AM 820 and WQXR 105.9 FM -- as well as The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. WNYC is a major producer of original content for public radio nationwide. Five WNYC programs -- Radio Lab, On the Media, Studio 360, The Brian Lehrer Show, and Radio Rookies, its youth journalism program serving teens in all five boroughs -- have been recognized with George Foster Peabody Awards, the highest honor in broadcasting journalism. Our news department and shows have received many other journalism and broadcasting awards over the years as well. The organization was recognized by The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists with an American Scene Award for its diversity and inclusion in programming and employment.

WQXR is New York City's only all-classical music station. And The Greene Space is a street-front broadcast studio and live venue where audiences can experience our programming in person and online. New York Public Radio's online platforms include wnyc.org, wqxr.org and thegreenespace.org. With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, we are becoming the centerpiece of a community of more than 5 million each week, reaching radio, web and studio audiences in New York, across the country and around the world. On any given day we bring our listeners a unique and thought-provoking array of news, current affairs, contemporary and classical music, cultural programming, live events and more -- with a depth, variety and caliber that they can't get anywhere else. * measured by audience size Source: Arbitron, Inc.

To Apply:

Please apply through New York Public Radio's online application portal: www.wnyc.org/careers/listings/

Submit cover letter with salary requirements and resume.

New York Public Radio must receive all information requested in order to consider your candidacy.

Qualified candidates only please. No calls, no agencies.

Due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to reply to every submission, and only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

New York Public Radio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invites and encourages qualified applicants from all walks of life.