Job Title: Production Manager
Location: Los Angeles
Classical California, a public service of the University of Southern California, seeks a technically skilled, creative and highly organized audio professional to serve as Production Manager. This position will provide essential production expertise and coordination across programming, hosts, producers and other content teams, helping Classical California deliver compelling audio experiences across its broadcast and digital platforms.
About the Department:
Classical California is America's largest and most listened-to public media organization for classical music. With studios in Los Angeles and San Francisco, we draw upon California's heritage of entertainment and innovation to create original musical experiences that inspire greater engagement with classical music. This is an exciting time to join as we strengthen a unified brand, expand our digital audio offerings and build capacity for the future.
Position Overview:
Reporting to the Executive Director of Content, the Production Manager is primarily a hands-on audio production role, combining advanced recording and editing expertise with strong project management. The position will guide multiple projects from initial concept through final delivery. The role may include concert broadcasts, interviews, hosted programs, promotional campaigns and other original audio content. Success requires someone who can move comfortably between independent editing and close collaboration, hold many details at once, work effectively with a range of creative personalities and remain calm when technical or production challenges arise.
This full-time, Los Angeles-based position follows a hybrid schedule with at least two days on-site each week and additional studio presence as production needs require. Production cycles may occasionally require flexible or extended hours. Limited travel to the San Francisco station may be required for events or major projects.
Key Responsibilities:
Audio Content Production and Program Development – 40%
Produce and edit high-quality audio content for broadcast and digital platforms while maintaining consistent editorial, technical and brand standards.
Research, write and edit scripts, shaping the style, pace, format and overall sound of assigned productions.
Direct and record hosts, voice talent and other contributors, including providing voice work when needed.
Recording Engineering and Audio Production Operations – 20%
Serve as the recording engineer for interviews, studio sessions and other productions.
Troubleshoot technical challenges quickly and calmly.
Select, edit and mix classical music and other audio elements, and coordinate production resources, archives, music logs and related records.
Production Management and Content Initiatives – 30%
Manage production workflows, schedules and resources from concept through final delivery, ensuring multiple projects remain organized and meet firm deadlines.
Coordinate and supervise contributors to assigned programs and content initiatives, providing clear direction, coaching and feedback.
Collaborate with programming, marketing, engineering, on-air staff and other partners to develop concepts, maintain brand alignment and ensure appropriate content clearances.
Support production budgets and regulatory reporting as assigned.
Digital, Fundraising and Audience Engagement – 10%
Coordinate audio, social media and digital plans for multiplatform initiatives, including fundraising campaigns.
Collaborate with editorial, membership and community engagement partners to support strong audience connections.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree or combined experience and education as a substitute for the minimum education requirement.
Five years of directly related professional and supervisory experience in audio content production, broadcasting, program production, journalism, communications or another relevant area.
Advanced digital audio editing and production skills using Adobe Audition or a comparable professional platform.
Demonstrated leadership, creativity and team focus, with the ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Exceptional organization and project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining close attention to detail.
Affinity for and working knowledge of classical music.
Keen interest in emerging digital technologies and evolving audio platforms.
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Seven years of relevant professional experience, including leadership in public broadcasting or content production.
Professional voice work and/or on-air experience.
Experience producing content across traditional and emerging formats, including web, video and multimedia.
Comprehensive understanding of classical music and the interests of local audiences.
Required Documents and Additional Information
Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents. The annual base salary range for this position is $90,000-$100,000.
When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
Benefits
To support faculty and staff well-being, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents' health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC's comprehensive benefits here.
#LI-Hybrid
Minimum Education:Bachelor's degree
Additional Education Requirements
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience:
5 years
Minimum Skills:
Directly related professional and supervisory experience in broadcasting, program specialization, journalism, communications or other relevant areas. Demonstrated leadership abilities, creativity, team focus, and the ability to work well under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
Advanced digital editing skills.
Keen interest in and understanding of emerging digital technologies.
Affinity for and working knowledge of classical music.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Preferred Education:
Bachelor's degree
Preferred Experience:
7 years
Preferred Skills:
Extensive leadership experience in public broadcasting with a specialization in content production.
Comprehensive understanding of classical music and tastes of local community.
Extensive knowledge of traditional and non-traditional production (e.g., web, video, multimedia).
USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
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