Head Writer, Meditative Story

New York, NY

WaitWhat is looking for a Head Writer to lead an exceptionally talented team of writers for Meditative Story, a first-of-its-kind podcast listening experience that combines the emotional pull of immersive storytelling with the immediate, science-backed benefits of mindfulness practice. The listening experience is elevated by original cinematic music.

We’re in search of an inspiring, insightful leader who is intellectually curious, and passionate about sharing provocative ideas through the art of longform personal storytelling. While this role is primarily focused on editing scripts for audio, we’re open to candidates from a range of media. You will be writing scripts and leading a team of writers on each episode, working in writers rooms to drive storyteller interviews and will construct narrative outlines, review script edits and deliver the final script. You will be highly skilled at managing other writers and providing feedback in a nurturing way to help the growth of each individual. You must enjoy working collaboratively, be open to a diverse range of viewpoints, and feel energized and inspired by the lives and experiences of others. If you share our passion for exceptional storytelling, we would love to hear from you!

Responsibilities:

Working with the EP to build and manage a team of writers to work collaboratively and on deadline to complete weekly scripts of superlative quality.
Providing detailed notes and coaching to a writing team of contractors from early story development through to the final draft — to enhance story elements, order of scenes, voice, and pacing.
Writing selected stories throughout the season.
Drafting interview questions that draw out entirely original stories from guests and highlight their natural personality, vulnerability, and wit, while identifying the universal themes embedded in the storytellers’ experiences.
Selecting quotes from interviews and arranging them into a compelling episode outline.
Listening to interviews with a focus on capturing the cadences and linguistic quirks of our guests while adhering to the demands of the format.
Demonstrating an ability to work with multiple transcripts at once.
Providing rigorous, constructive and honest feedback.
Overseeing weekly deliverables with clear prioritization and a flexibility with change and surprise.

Requirements

A talent for dramatic storytelling and editing scripts that have incisive beginnings, middles and ends, and convey beautifully nuanced, relatable ideas (avoiding cliche).
Keen understanding of writing for audio, and more specifically exquisite first-person narratives.
A deep passion for the Meditative Story podcast format, including a rich understanding of the uniquely inventive storytelling techniques of the show, its pacing, tone and syntax.
An understanding and appreciation of the Meditative Story show catalog.
A veteran storyteller, a creative writer and deep, analytical thinker with proven critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Highly organized and able to meet weekly deadlines.
Superior communication skills, both written and verbal.
7-10+ years experience in long-form writing, and editing scripts for other writers.
Experience script writing and editing first-person narratives for audio and TV is a plus.

This is a full-time position with East Coast working hours and the option to work remote, but the ideal candidate is able to join us 3 days a week in our NY office.

Please listen to a few episodes of Meditative Story before submitting your thoughtful cover letter and resume, and please be sure to include a few writing samples.

Benefits

This is a full-time position in NYC / remote. The salary range for this role is $130k - $180k. This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. Candidates with expectations outside of this range or experience outside of the requirements listed are still encouraged to apply as there may be other positions that could be a fit.

We offer a benefits package that’s generous and competitive with larger companies. Benefits include 3 weeks of company holiday (2 weeks in summer + one week between Christmas and New Years), 5 personal days, healthcare (PPO, vision and dental), short- and long-term disability, life insurance and 401 (k). We’re an anti-racist organization, committed to equity and diversity of all kinds — on our team, among our investors, and as represented in our media properties. Most importantly, we only hire extremely kind people.