Radio Producer

A radio producer creates content and manages all aspects of production for a radio station. They generate original ideas and develop those of others, carrying out research into the appropriate field so that the idea can get off the ground. Though they may help create a variety of things, such as talk segments, competitions and a wide range of shows, they will rarely appear on air themselves. However, they will often be referred to by presenters and they may be head talking in the background. This is more likely during commercial radio as, when i was analysing Capital Radio, presenters frequently joked with their producers. However they may have the skills to step in for a presenter, if necessary.

They will often collaborate with a variety of people, such as presenters and third-party content contributors. They will also work closely with fellow producers who may advise them on their work. To ensure everything is running smoothly and to professional standards, a producer may direct people around the radio in an appropriate manner. Radio producers will often work on the  business side of the radio station. This will involve managing budgets efficiently and allocating resources to people appropriately. They may also be involved technically, helping presenters while they are on the decks and using software for the content they are using. The may also manage a station's website and social media pages. Through these they may have to handle complaints from listeners, with the intellect to respond to them professionally and without showing any bias. 

They will establish contacts within many other media platforms, including television, film and other radio stations. This may be for various things, such as getting someone to be interviewed by a presenter, help with creative output  and gaining information for the benefit of their radio station. A producer will often gather information from various sources and subsequently assessing and evaluating them for use. They will also obtain permission and licensing for a wide range of things. For example, they will gain licenses to play songs on air, as well as sounds effects and audio archive material. They will also contact people to get permission to conduct media-related things. This could involve interviews (they may contact someone's agent) and  filming (they may contact the owner of the premises/area they are filming on).

A producer may get the job, having worked their way up from the bottom. This might mean that they started off as a runner or assistant and have gained sufficient experience to be offered the role of producer. They may also have worked as a producer on a small-scale, such as for community and hospital radio stations. A radio producer may be hired by a bigger radio station as they have the ability to transfer their skills onto a larger scale. Another route is gaining direct experience in the form of a apprenticeship, though these are rare. This route is more likely for smaller-scale production jobs, where they can learn and contribute as they go along. One general way is being hired straight away, having already establishing yourself as a reliable, professional producer. This may involve transferring from other departments within a company. For example a producer on a BBC TV show may be hired by a BBC Radio. This may be because the role has become available and they need a BBC producer, who will already understand how the production system works.

A producer will need many skills to succeed and thrive in their job. These include the ability to create original ideas and content, that suit and will appeal to the listeners of their station. As they will be creating things, they will need to be able to pitch their ideas and script/write them appropriately for different media platforms an audiences. They may also have to tailor content due to location and audience preferences. This means that they will have to understand things such as demographics and how to read them correctly. As they are working in a technology-filled environment they will need skills to use certain equipment properly, such as recording material and using the correct software to edit it and finally upload it to a system or platform. Due to the interaction they will have with many different people a producer will need skills such as patience, intelligence and the ability to talk to someone neutrally. This may be put into practice as they may teach trainees where they will have to communicate effectively to make sure they understand what they are being taught. 

A producer will need extensive knowledge of the type of radio station they are working in, as well as the ability to search in the right places for information they need. As radio is a busy industry a producer will work with strict deadlines and so will have to have the ability to cope with being under pressure. Radio production has many laws which a producer will have to learn.  These include industry laws and ethics, which will tell a producer what is and isn't allowed on air. Other laws can include copyright rules, which a producer will have to know so a station isn't brought into disrepute for playing a song or other audio material without permission.

Qualifications will help a producer get into a job as this means a station won't have to train a entry level person the basics, which would appeal to them. Qualifications such as Film and Television production teach students all about the system and phases. They may also partake in work experience which will introduce them into a professional environment. Other radio stations may allow trainees to become producers, with established producers helping them by teaching them all that they need to know. Some stations may even accept graduates from other courses, as they may have a broad range of knowledge as well as skills such as the ability to work under pressure, preparation skills and planning skills.

A producers salary can depend on what station they work at and their seniority. An assistant producer would earn around £25,000 a year while a senior producer with much experience could earn up to £50,000 a year. They may get extra money for content created. How much research work they do will depend on the type of radio station. For example, a producer at Capital Radio may research pop-culture questions for a quiz while at Radio 4, a producer may find news-stories on a wide range of topics that can be debated. The level in the difficulty can depend on how much they need, however. A producer can work at any time of the day, as a radio station will need constant directing and organizing. They will also put in lots of work out of work hours, researching and creating content from home. A producer may also be called in to do various things for the radio station if the needs persists. A producer will usually work under a fixed contract with the length depending on the type of radio station. They may only work for 6 months at a time or years at a time. They may also be freelance, doing work for various shows on a wide range of different radio stations. A producer may earn extra money for extra content created.

This job role is for a fixed term of 9 months- to cover maternity leave. The job is as a Senior Content Producer for the BBC based in Aberdeen: 

http://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/job/Senior-Content-Producer/7758