Show Host, Morning Edition

Job Description

About WHYY

WHYY serves the Philadelphia region with trusted journalism, eye-opening storytelling and intimate local arts programming. Our curiosity and commitment to this community is what drives our programming. It’s also what drives our hiring.

Below you’ll find an employment opportunity in the fast-paced setting of the Philadelphia region’s leading public media provider. The award-winning professional staff of WHYY sets the bar high in television, radio and online. Whether it’s preparing a program to air or a behind-the-scenes role in support, all positions are vital to continuing—and growing—our impact in our community.

WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about our Social Responsibility Program. It’s how we live.

About the Role

WHYY is seeking an engaging, curious, and community-centered host to serve as a primary on-air voice across WHYY's audio platforms. While initially assigned to Morning Edition, this role may also host other WHYY programs, special coverage, live events, audience engagement initiatives, and multiplatform projects as assigned.

The Show Host is more than a broadcaster; they are a storyteller, interviewer, and ambassador for WHYY. This individual will guide audiences through the day's news and conversations, provide context and perspective on the issues shaping our region, and help deepen WHYY's connection with communities across Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and Delaware.

The ideal candidate possesses exceptional communication skills, strong editorial judgment, and a passion for public service. They are equally comfortable delivering breaking news, conducting thoughtful interviews, engaging in unscripted conversations, and representing WHYY in the community.

As public media continues to evolve, the Show Host will contribute across multiple platforms, including broadcast, digital, social media, podcast, video, live events, and audience engagement initiatives. The successful candidate will help grow WHYY's reach and relevance by creating meaningful connections with audiences wherever they consume content.

The Show Host works closely with newsroom, programming, digital, and audience engagement teams to deliver an informative, engaging, and distinctly local experience that reflects WHYY's mission and values.

The successful candidate will bring an authentic voice, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to serving and reflecting the diverse communities of the Greater Philadelphia region.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Host Morning Edition and other WHYY programming, special coverage, and live events as assigned.
• Remain informed on local, national, and international news developments and exercise sound editorial judgment in preparing and delivering on-air content.
• Conduct engaging live and recorded interviews with newsmakers, experts, community leaders, and cultural voices.
• Collaborate with newsroom, programming, and digital teams to identify and develop compelling local content and conversations.
• Create meaningful audience experiences across broadcast, digital, social, and community platforms.
• Represent WHYY at member events, community events, station initiatives, fundraising activities, and partner engagements.
• Contribute to digital, podcast, video, social media, and audience engagement initiatives that extend the reach of WHYY content and strengthen audience relationships.
• Develop recurring features, signature segments, and audience-focused content that strengthen WHYY's local identity and public service mission.
• Utilize broadcast, production, and digital content systems to support on-air and multiplatform content creation.
• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, organizations, institutions, and subject matter experts throughout the region.
• Participate in station-wide initiatives, special projects, special coverage, election coverage, and breaking news coverage as assigned.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for WHYY and actively support efforts to grow and engage audiences across broadcast, digital, and community platforms.

Job Requirements

Experience: Five or more years of professional on-air hosting, interviewing, reporting, podcasting, or related media experience required. Demonstrated success engaging audiences through live programming, compelling storytelling, and community engagement. 

Preferred Experience - Experience building audience and engagement across broadcast, podcast, digital, social media, live events, or other multiplatform environments. Familiarity with the Philadelphia region (Philadelphia, its suburbs, New Jersey and Delaware) is a plus.

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in journalism, communications, broadcasting, or a related field.

Technical Skills: Familiarity with broadcast production systems, newsroom workflows, digital publishing platforms, and social media tools. Experience with live audio production, remote broadcasting, podcasting, and multimedia content creation is preferred.

*This position is represented by SAG-AFTRA.

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