Live Events, Producer

Location: Hybrid - San Francisco

Pay: $79,828 - $99,785

About the role

The Live Events Producer is an experienced creative producer of events or public programs, who has a passion for live storytelling and the exchange of ideas onstage. They help to advance KQED’s mission by convening civic dialogue and crafting distinctive experiences that inform, inspire, and involve live audiences throughout the Bay Area. With creative versatility, ranging subject matter expertise, and a strong background in event production, the Producer is responsible for planning and implementing a range of events that engage and connect local KQED audiences.

Demonstrating a command of stagecraft for any scale and format—including intimate community forums, headline speaker engagements, interactive workshops, and complex scripted multimedia shows—they collaborate with various editorial content and technical production teams to shape compelling onstage programs and engaging gatherings. They orchestrate the entire life-cycle of assigned events—from booking program guests and vendors to planning production and logistics details—and coordinate their polished execution.

The Producer will serve as lead producer on 20 or more events each year, on assignment or based on their original pitches that have been greenlit by the KQED Live program leads, as well as work other events in support of other lead producers as assigned.

KQED envisions a public media organization with a culture that centers on human dignity, equity, and belonging. This will enable us to better serve and reflect the Bay Area through diverse and inclusive storytelling. We value the contributions of marginalized people in society—including Black, Indigenous, and all people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people—and we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. We strongly encourage members of these communities to apply.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal teams to pitch, create, and produce a portfolio of KQED Live events—and select larger-scale experiential events—that bring public media and journalism to life, amplify regional culture, and deepen civic participation among diverse communities.
• Produce end-to-end events spanning science, technology, and political topics—from concept through execution, including logistics, run-of-show, vendor management, and on-site coordination.
• Source, negotiate, and manage keynote speakers, including scientists, researchers, policymakers, elected officials, and thought leaders.
• Build and maintain a robust network of speaker talent, agencies, and subject-matter experts within the NPR/PBS pool and beyond.
• Develop and implement detailed event production plans, including timelines, technical requirements, and logistical considerations that amplify the voices of local communities.
• Manage event talent bookings, including coordinating contracts; conducting pre-interviews and creating briefing materials with content and production details; and arranging logistics and hospitality for guests.
• Manage vendors, including coordinating contracts, site visits, load-in details, and infrastructure requirements.
• Create detailed production plans, including timelines, technical requirements, run-of-show documents, and work with production and facilities teams to ensure their seamless execution.
• Create event media packages for onstage presentation, producing and assembling slide decks, video segments, sound and music cues, and other audio-visual assets.
• Write onstage content, including event scripts, interview or game questions, and other talking points and remarks as needed for presentation, in collaboration with hosts and editors.
• Work with marketing and creative teams to prepare accurate and effective event promotions for multiple platforms, including event listings, emails, social, broadcast spots, and other internal and external communications.
• Coordinate with front-of-house staff regarding seating, entry, hospitality, and any unique audience experience needs, as appropriate.
• Track individual event expenses within provided project budgets.
• Manage day-to-day communications with internal content, production, operations, and marketing staff, as well as external partners.
• Must be available to work shifts that include weekend and evening hours for scheduled events.
• Represent KQED at events hosted by KQED or by external community organizations.
• Assume other event-related responsibilities as assigned, including support roles on events led by other producers.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience as a live event producer or public programs manager, preferably with an emphasis on community engagement and regional culture.
• Comprehensive knowledge of best practices in complex event planning, including talent and venue bookings, logistics, contracts standards, technical production coordination, vendor management, promotion and ticketing, front-of-house operations, and stage management.
• Excellent news judgment and reporting skills, with thorough knowledge of journalistic principles, ethics, and standards.
• Demonstrated interest and ability to cover a range of significant public affairs issues and subjects such as government and politics, arts and culture, food, the economy, education, health, immigration, legal affairs, and/or the environment.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities with attention to detail.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on collaboration and community inclusion.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Familiarity with public media and an understanding of the organization's mission, particularly in public service journalism, showcasing regional culture, and empowering civic participation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of a range of significant regional and statewide public affairs issues and subjects such as government and politics, the economy, education, health, immigration, legal affairs, and the environment.
• Working knowledge of the 9-county Bay Area and the Sacramento region.
• Experience directing or producing for theatrical, multimedia, television, or radio broadcast, or other live storytelling media.
• Existing relationships with speaker agencies or notable figures in science, politics, literary, or current affairs, and familiarity with science communications, publishing, or policy-focused organizations.
• Some production design experience or ability to offer creative direction to production designers.
• Experience working in a demographically diverse news environment.
• Non-English language skills (fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, or other languages with large California-speaking populations).

Education

Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Benefits

• 20 days of paid time off
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Family medical leave benefits
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental benefits
• Commuter benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Employee Resource Groups
• Wellness programs
• Free KQED membership