Producer - Whalar Studios

Job Title: Producer

Location: Chicago, New York, NY, or LA

Start Date: ASAP

Whalar is the leading, most awarded, independent Creator and Social agency. We transform brands into cultural drivers by unlocking the full creative power of Creators.

We go beyond the conventional social and influencer strategy. We have the technology and methodology to tap into the beating pulse of communities, listen to nuances that move culture, and connect brands in ways that make them unforgettable.

With hubs in London, Berlin, New York, and Los Angeles, our reach is global. Learn more: https://www.whalar.com/

About the role:

Whalar Studios is the production arm of Whalar, a global creator and social agency. We sit at the intersection of traditional production craft and creator-native instinct, building content that is culturally fluent and designed to move. We're a production house built from the creator economy. We create as creators.

Whalar Studios is looking for a Producer who is equally at home in a client meeting and on a shoot day. This is a foundational hire for a fast-growing production studio, someone who will help us build the operational backbone of Studios while also rolling up their sleeves when shoots go into production.

This is a dual role in the truest sense: part agency producer, part production manager, and the kind of person who finds both sides of that equation equally satisfying. You'll keep our projects, pipeline, and vendors organized and moving, and when productions go live, you'll shift into a hands-on PM role by owning the logistics, the schedule, and the shoot day itself.

You'll work directly with the Head of Whalar Studios and be one of the first members of a team we're building with intention. If you want to help shape how a new studio operates, this is that role.

Here’s what you’ll do day-to-day:

• Own project timelines, budgets, and vendor relationships across active productions from brief through delivery, including deal memos, vendor onboarding, and project wraps and reconciliation.

• Support the pre-bid process: developing ballpark estimates, identifying the right production partners (directors, editors, colorists, crew), and building timelines that match the scope.

• Track and support the new business and existing client pipeline, maintaining visibility on where every project stands and what's coming next.

• Manage contracts, paperwork, and production admin so nothing slips.

• Actively participate in creative work sessions, providing production partnership that keeps projects on budget while maintaining craft and fit for format.

• Step into a Production Manager role on shoots by building schedules and call sheets, managing on-set logistics, and keeping productions running smoothly.

• Work closely with the Head of Whalar Studios and creative leadership to ensure production feasibility matches creative ambition.

• Share project status and health with account and client teams, and flag risks before they become problems.

• Help establish and refine the workflows and processes that will define how Whalar Studios operates as we scale.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• 5+ years of experience in production, with time spent on both the agency and studio/production company sides or a hybrid environment that gave you both.

• Strong social, digital, and branded content production experience. You know that a shoot for TikTok requires a different approach than a shoot for broadcast, and you've made that call yourself.

• Genuine fluency in production management: you've built call sheets, managed crew, and run shoot days. You know what it takes to keep a production on track when things get complicated.

• Experience managing the pre-bid process (timelines, estimates, partner identification) and seeing projects through to wrap and reconciliation.

• An obsession with the details. You can spot a gap in a timeline or a risk in a budget before it becomes a problem.

• Comfortable with new business and client-facing work — you understand that in a growing studio, pipeline and production are part of the same job.

• A skilled negotiator and communicator, confident presenting to clients and vendors alike.

• A self-starter who doesn't need a fully built system to operate. You're ready to help build it.

The salary range for this role is $85,000 - $95,000 and serves as a general guideline for the potential compensation. The final salary offer will be determined based on a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as the candidate's experience, expertise, alignment with the position's requirements, location, and, ultimately, budget approvals.

Our values:

At Whalar, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't just a statement, it's our collective strength. Our people are our superpower. A diverse team and inclusive leadership have shaped Whalar since our inception in 2016, fueling a constant evolution of growth. We champion a culture of respect and empathy, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends demographics. We hire individuals of all backgrounds and empower them to thrive, challenge stereotypes, and actively break societal barriers.

The perks:

Whalar provides flexible benefits and collaborative work environments/experiences, so employees can work productively in a setting that best and uniquely suits their needs.

• Medical, Dental, Vision

• 25 days of PTO + Sick days + Winter break

• Retirement planning with employer match

• Monthly phone/internet reimbursement

• Professional development stipend

• New joiner's Home office allowance

• Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave

• Volunteer days

• Identity theft protection & Legal assistance

• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance

• Voluntary Life Insurance Policy

• Voluntary Hospital and Critical Illness Insurance

• Voluntary Pet insurance

• Employee Resource Groups

Whalar provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including hiring, promotions, training, working conditions, compensation, and benefits.