City Cast Chicago, Executive Producer

City Cast

$90K — $110K *
Media
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in journalism, media production, or digital content with editorial leadership experience
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and inspire creative teams
  • In-depth knowledge of Chicago's culture and politics
  • Strong on-mic presence with podcasting or broadcasting experience preferred
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with a knack for balancing creativity and execution
  • Established relationships in local media and cultural sectors are advantageous

Responsibilities

  • Drive local content strategy across various platforms including podcast and newsletter
  • Oversee daily editorial tasks, ensuring quality and consistency
  • Approve all content prior to publication as the final editorial gatekeeper
  • Evaluate story pitches and guide team in developing engaging local discussions
  • Regularly appear on the podcast to connect with the audience
  • Recruit, onboard, and lead a mission-driven team
  • Cultivate an inclusive and collaborative team culture aligned with values

Benefits

  • Full-time position with excellent benefits
  • Primary remote work with local presence required
  • Opportunity to be a key player in establishing a local media brand
  • Engagement in community partnerships to extend reach
Full Job Description
The Role

City Cast is seeking a highly creative and entrepreneurial leader to lead City Cast Chicago. In this role, you'll drive the editorial vision and sensibility for the local City Cast Chicago brand, leading a team of four and managing the daily podcast, newsletter, and social operation. The Executive Producer is responsible for creating strong and compelling daily editorial products while also helping make City Cast Chicago an essential and buzzy local brand in Chicago.

Deadline to apply: September 30, 2026

What You'll Do
Lead Editorial Strategy
  • Drive the execution of City Cast's local content strategy across podcast, newsletter, website, video, and social platforms
  • Assign and oversee daily editorial responsibilities, ensuring quality and consistency
  • Serve as final editorial gatekeeper, approving all content before publication
  • Set editorial priorities, evaluate story pitches, and guide the team in crafting compelling local conversations
  • Appear regularly on the daily podcast
Build and Manage the Local Team
  • Hire, onboard, and manage a high-performing, mission-driven local team
  • Provide day-to-day coaching and long-term professional development
  • Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture aligned with City Cast's values
Champion the Brand
  • Execute the membership strategy for your city, igniting your biggest fans
  • Be a public ambassador for City Cast in your city-building awareness, excitement, and trust
  • Develop and lead the local marketing strategy in collaboration with our national marketing team
  • Identify key brand-building community partnerships that extend our reach and impact in the city
  • Represent City Cast in local networks, events, and convenings
Own Local Operations
  • Oversee the city's operating budget and ensure efficient allocation of resources
  • Lead and execute regular membership events and other IRL activities designed to elevate the brand
  • Work closely with City Cast HQ on business strategy, audience growth, and performance goals
  • Ensure all local activities align with City Cast's mission, voice, and editorial integrity

Requirements
What You Bring
  • 5+ years experience in journalism, media production, or digital content, with editorial leadership experience
  • Proven success managing and inspiring creative teams
  • Deep familiarity with Chicago - its people, politics, culture, and character
  • Confident on-mic presence and experience in podcasting or broadcasting a strong plus
  • Entrepreneurial mindset, comfort with ambiguity, and ability to balance creativity with execution
  • Strong relationships in the local media, civic, and cultural ecosystems are a major bonus

Benefits

The Executive Producer will report to the Content Director of City Cast Chicago. This position is full-time, with excellent benefits. The annual salary range is $90,000 - $110,000. You must be local, though work will be primarily remote.

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