Host
About the job
- Significant experience hosting for radio, television, podcasts, or comparable platforms is required.
- Experience conducting unscripted or lightly scripted interviews and discussions with skill and poise under pressure, including during live breaking news, is required.
- Hands-on experience working as part of a production team that collaborates to book, prepare, script, edit, and prepare broadcasts, podcasts, or other news-driven content is required.
- Ability to collaborate with teams across Chicago Public Media on broadcasts, podcasts, special programming, events, social media, and pledge drives is required.
- Capacity and curiosity to stay informed on a wide range of topics across current events and culture are required.
- Host a high-profile live daily talk show.
- Create, prepare, and present news reports, program segments, and live on-air or recorded and edited interviews with a high level of performance, journalistic rigor, and editorial craft.
- Maintain a public persona and interact with audiences through social media, station events, and content partner events.
- Journalism experience in a broadcast or digital newsroom environment is desired.
- Experience with digital editing and audio editing is a plus.
- Familiarity with the Chicago region is a plus.
- A bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, humanities, or a related field is preferred but not required.
- Experience hosting live rather than recorded programs, ideally in a large market, is preferred.
About the company
Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit public media organization that provides trusted news and information across multiple platforms to the Chicago area and beyond. It curates and distributes content through radio, a newspaper partner, news websites, and mobile apps, delivering local and national reporting to a weekly audience of more than 4.5 million. Its products work by producing journalism and programming for broadcast and digital channels, which users access via radio broadcasts, websites, and apps, and by fostering thoughtful conversation and community connections. The organization differentiates itself through its nonprofit public-service mission, broad cross-platform reach, and emphasis on accessible, in-depth reporting that serves diverse communities. Its goal is to help all Chicago-area residents make informed decisions, participate in their communities, and stay connected through substantive news and information.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Founded
1990
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- CEO Melissa Bell said 2026 projections put Chicago Public Media close to break-even.
- On August 13, 2026, CPM partnered with Roundabout to launch five community hubs.
- On November 14, 2025, CPM began bundling ads with Chicago Reader to lift revenue.
What critics are saying
- The $61 million philanthropic pledge ends in 2026, exposing Sun-Times losses immediately.
- CPM cut 35 roles in March 2025; more reductions hit newsroom capacity.
- If chicago.com fails to convert users into members, CPM loses its financial bridge.
What makes Chicago Public Media unique
- Chicago Public Media combines WBEZ, Sun-Times, and Vocalo under one nonprofit platform.
- On July 8, 2026, CPM launched chicago.com as its first digital-first audience brand.
- CPM reaches 3.3 million people weekly, combining broadcast, print, and digital scale.
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Benefits
- 6 weeks fully paid family leave
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Company Match
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Vacation