City Cast Chicago, Executive Producer

City Cast’s mission is to make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

Our Core Values:

Localism: Cities rule, and every city is unique.

• We strive to represent cities authentically and in all their complexity. City Cast celebrates the triumphs of our cities, and confronts their failures—always with the goal of making them better for everyone.

Community: We want our shows and newsletters to make people more engaged residents of their cities.

• We strive to create a sense of community and belonging, to make people feel a part of their city, and a part of City Cast.

Accountability: We hold our cities and ourselves accountable.

• We challenge all points of view, including our own, and ask hard questions of our guests in pursuit of new insights. We’ll hold each other accountable by acknowledging when we don’t meet our goals or live up to our values—and celebrating when we do.

Diversity: We cherish the diversity of the cities we cover.

• Our guests, stories and newsletter topics should embody that diversity, so should our staff. We strive to be humane and curious in covering all aspects of diversity.

Respect: We’re direct, respectful, and kind.

• Whether it’s in an internal staff meeting or in a conversation with a guest, we communicate directly, but with respect and kindness.

Sustainability: We’re determined to create a successful business and a successful workplace.

• Without commercial success, City Cast won’t survive to serve communities. Without a sustainable workload, we won’t have jobs worth loving. We’ll experiment with new formats and processes to ensure both that City Cast is successful in the long run, and that our jobs are meaningful and sustainable.

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.

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. City Cast is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity, which involves attracting talented people from diverse backgrounds and traditions. Read about our mission and core values here. We encourage everyone to apply.

About City Cast: We're a network of one-of-a-kind, daily local news podcasts in cities around the country, accompanied by a daily email newsletter and website that keeps you in the know about what's happening in your community. Currently available in Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, DC, Philly, Portland, Madison, Nashville, Austin, Seattle and the Twin Cities. City Cast is the smartest, easiest way to connect with the place you live and love.