Hydrus - Session Director - English (US) - V2

About the Project 

Project Hydrus is a scripted and conversational audio data collection project. The recordings produced help build natural, everyday-sounding synthesized voices for conversational AI products — voices that sound like real people talking, not scripted performances. 

As Session Director, you'll lead live recording sessions with Voice Contributors, guiding them through scripted scenarios to produce natural, conversational-quality audio. This hands-on role blends creative direction, coaching, and technical audio judgment — making scripted material sound authentic and unscripted, rather than recited, while keeping sessions moving at a natural pace. 

What You'll Do 

• Direct voice performers through scripted scenarios, coaching for natural, conversational delivery rather than verbatim recitation. 

• Build quick scene context for performers (who, where, why) and improvise to fill narrative or dialogue gaps live, keeping sessions flowing naturally. 

• Adapt scripted wording for natural phrasing and regional/dialect authenticity as needed. 

• Monitor and correct technical audio quality in real time: mic technique, pacing, clarity, and background noise. 

• Manage session pacing to meet recording targets without sacrificing performance quality, and maintain organized notes on adjustments and retakes. 

• Create a supportive, low-pressure environment for performers, including those with limited prior voice experience. 

What We're Looking For 

Required 

• Native fluency in the required language (with specific dialect), with a strong ear for natural, colloquial phrasing. 

• Experience directing, coaching, or producing voice or audio talent (e.g., voice direction, casting direction, audio/podcast production, dubbing/ADR, or theater direction). 

• Demonstrated ability to give clear, specific, actionable performance direction. 

• Strong working knowledge of basic recording/mic technique (proximity, plosives, room noise, levels). 

• Comfortable improvising and adjusting scripted material on the spot. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to build rapport quickly with performers of varying experience levels. 

Preferred (nice to have, not required) 

• Background in improv, theater direction, or acting coaching. 

• Experience directing non-professional or first-time voice talent specifically. 

• Familiarity with DAWs or recording software (e.g., Pro Tools, Adobe Audition, Reaper) for spot-checking audio quality.