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NPR

Public radio network delivering unbiased news

Vice President of Talent Strategy

Generalist RecruitingConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-time$243k - $290k

About the Job

Requirements

  • At least 12 years of progressive executive leadership in talent management, talent relations, media recruiting, or creative talent strategy within news, podcasting, digital media, or broadcast entertainment.
  • Maintain an active network of professional relationships with journalists, creators, literary and talent agencies, management firms, and digital-first storytellers.
  • Demonstrate a track record of structuring and negotiating complex, multi-party talent contracts, intellectual property rights, and compensation agreements in compliance with organizational policies.
  • Demonstrate success building and sustaining diverse, multi-perspective talent rosters that engage cross-generational and culturally diverse audiences.
  • Have substantive experience acting as a trusted mediator in high-stakes creative environments and resolving interpersonal, contractual, or operational friction with discretion and high emotional intelligence.
  • Demonstrate commitment to editorial independence, high-integrity journalism, and the civic mission of public media.
  • Demonstrate diplomatic presence and the ability to build trust quickly with high-profile personalities, agents, and senior internal stakeholders.
  • Have fluency with creative intellectual property rights, talent deal points, non-disclosure terms, and talent contract structuring.
  • Bring a forward-looking creative perspective capable of identifying how emerging digital storytellers can translate their voices to public radio and multimedia platforms.
  • Demonstrate the ability to lead complex cross-functional alignments involving Legal, Finance, People, and creative stakeholders.
  • Demonstrate judgment, confidentiality, and composure when navigating sensitive personnel or creative matters under public or time pressure.
  • Have a bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Media Studies, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent practical work experience demonstrating equivalent executive capability.
  • Be able to work in the office in Washington, D.C. or New York City at least three days a week and reside in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, or New York City.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the primary executive liaison and trusted advisor to high-profile journalists, hosts, and creative contributors, cultivating sustainable career pathways and retention strategies in close collaboration with the Chief Content Officer.
  • Design and lead a comprehensive talent discovery strategy across traditional broadcast, podcasting, newsletter platforms, social ecosystems, and independent journalism to build an ongoing, diverse pipeline of on-air and digital talent.
  • Act as the central connection between creative talent, talent representatives, and internal executive teams, aligning individual goals with organizational priorities.
  • Oversee talent agreement frameworks in coordination with the Chief Content Officer, Legal, and People teams, leading contract renewals, compensation structures, and rights agreements.
  • Ensure talent recruitment, onboarding, and partner strategies reflect NPR’s mission, journalistic ethics, and commitment to public service.
  • Partner with Content Insights and divisional leadership to evaluate audience consumption trends and identify future talent requirements across video, episodic audio, and experiential storytelling.
  • Embed diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into every phase of talent identification, pipeline cultivation, and retention.

Desired Qualifications

  • Prior experience navigating talent relations within a federated, public service, or non-profit media network operating alongside union collective bargaining agreements, such as SAG-AFTRA.
  • Experience executing creator-led co-productions, live podcast tours, or multi-platform distribution partnerships.
  • Familiarity with commercial and sponsorship frameworks unique to digital audio, podcast monetization, and multi-market station networks.

About the Company

NPR

Public radio network delivering unbiased news

NPR provides trusted, in-depth news and cultural storytelling to a national audience through radio, online content, and live events. It publishes reports from a nationwide network of award-winning journalists and 17 international bureaus, collaborating with member stations to reach listeners wherever they are. NPR’s products include radio broadcasts, online articles and multimedia stories, and podcasts, which are produced by reporters, editors, and producers and distributed through member stations, NPR.org, and its apps. Unlike many other media outlets, NPR emphasizes independent, fact-based reporting and a broad range of perspectives across ideas, cultures, and arts. The company’s goal is to help the public stay informed and engaged—cultivating understanding and thoughtful dialogue about current events and society.

Company size
1,001-5,000
Company stage
Grant
Total funding
$22M
Headquarters
United States
Founded
1970

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