Podcast Producer

Overview

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person podcast producer to join the Media Relations team in promoting AEI’s research and commentary among key audiences, including policymakers, business leaders, journalists, opinion leaders, and the informed public. The start date for this position is as soon as possible.

The position’s primary responsibilities are to maximize the impact of AEI’s ideas by producing and promoting AEI’s new flagship podcast, which will focus on the biggest issues in our politics, public policy, civic life, and foreign affairs and feature AEI scholars. This position will also support the promotion of other AEI podcasts and multimedia products. Reporting to the vice president of government relations and public affairs, this position will be responsible for all aspects of producing and promoting a new flagship podcast, creating and promoting social-first video and multimedia products, and developing new social and multimedia products for raising the profile of AEI scholars in key policy debates. Other responsibilities include organizing and managing video and podcast studio calendars and logistics, managing associated equipment and software, and advising scholars and AEI leadership on social media strategy.

Successful candidates will be self-starters with established records in podcast production who are detail oriented and organized and have a keen interest in supporting AEI’s public policy research. They will need to be able to inform and persuade diverse audiences, meet tight deadlines, multitask, and prioritize.

A bachelor’s degree is required, and 4–5 years of relevant experience is strongly preferred. Experience in media organizations or on policy and marketing campaigns is strongly preferred. The position will work directly with the members of AEI’s Media Relations team and AEI scholars.

Qualified candidates should submit a résumé, a cover letter demonstrating their interest in AEI’s mission and scholarly work, an academic transcript, and examples of their podcast or social media work. A portfolio is required for consideration.

Responsibilities

• Podcast Production (70 percent)
  • Produce AEI's flagship video podcast end to end—providing booking and scheduling support for guests, filming podcast episodes, editing podcast audio and visuals, and publishing finished episodes across platforms (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.)
  • Own day-to-day logistics for AEI's podcast and video studios, including scheduling, equipment maintenance, and software/tooling
  • Support production and editing for AEI's other internally produced podcasts by advising research staff on best practices
• Social Media Video Production (30 percent)
  • Originate short-form, social-first video content, including direct-to-camera segments and clips drawn from AEI events, podcasts, and media hits
  • Partner with the AEI media team to distribute video and multimedia content and track its performance against shared benchmarks
  • Execute podcast and video promotional campaigns designed by the media team, adapting messaging and formats to each platform
  • Build and maintain working relationships with AEI scholars, research assistants, and media, editorial, and digital staff to keep production pipelines moving on deadline

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

• The employee is expected to regularly stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• 4–5 years of applicable full-time work experience, including podcast and video production, is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with the work of AEI scholars and a strong interest in public policy are required.
• The candidate must be a self-starter with strong oral and written communication skills.
• The ability to inform and persuade diverse audiences is required.
• The candidate must be able to meet tight deadlines, multitask, and prioritize.
• Familiarity with using podcast platforms (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.) and production platforms (Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, Apple Final Cut, etc.), and creating content for social platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube Shorts).
• Proven ability to own the entire process of podcast production, from concept development through recording, postproduction, publishing, and distribution.
• Ability to identify compelling themes, hit moments, and conversation angles to highlight in social media posts.
• Creative storyteller with an eye for hooks, pacing, and scene setting.
• Understands how audiences interact with different platforms and caters content accordingly.

Benefits

AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and three personal or floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; a medical and dependent care flexible spending account; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403(b) retirement plan with a contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits at https://www.aei.org/jobs/benefits/.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; and internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $65,000 - $85,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.