[Hiring] Video Producer @USA TODAY Co.

Role Description

USA TODAY Co. is seeking a detail-oriented, platform-native video producer to expand video support for local USA TODAY Network newsrooms. This full-time role will use strong editorial judgment and AI-assisted production workflows to turn local reporting, photos, data, and graphics into timely, accurate, and engaging short-form video.

The producer will work directly with local reporters, editors, and newsroom leaders to identify stories that can reach broader audiences through video. Coverage will span the range of local journalism, including:

• Breaking news
• Public safety
• Weather
• Government
• Education
• Business
• Consumer issues
• Community stories
• Major local events

This is a hands-on production and service role focused on helping local newsrooms publish more video efficiently across owned and social platforms.

What you’ll do:

• Serve as a dedicated video production resource for local USA TODAY Network newsrooms, supporting market needs and network-wide local coverage priorities.
• Use AI-assisted platforms, including Stringr, along with templates, automation, and editing tools to produce a high volume of accurate, on-brand video from local reporting, photos, data, graphics, user-generated content, and newsroom briefs.
• Use Stringr AI UGC production capabilities to help local newsrooms identify and develop relevant user-generated content into publishable video while following verification, sourcing, rights, and editorial standards.
• Use Stringr Clip Gen to create timely clips and short-form video from press conferences, public meetings, interviews, podcasts, and other longer recordings.
• Use Stringr Show Stacker and other AI-assisted long-form production tools to assemble structured video from local programs, interviews, recurring shows, and extended newsroom content.
• Partner with local reporters, editors, and newsroom leaders to identify stories with strong visual, audience, and distribution potential.
• Respond quickly to local breaking news and major developing stories while also supporting planned enterprise, service, and community coverage.
• Create useful explainers that make complex local topics clear, accessible, and relevant to the communities our newsrooms serve.
• Turn newsroom briefs and published stories into clear video treatments, selecting effective visuals, scripts, on-screen text, audio, pacing, and formats.
• Adapt local journalism into platform-native vertical video for TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook, YouTube Shorts, and other platforms.
• Repurpose AI-assisted and automated content for owned-and-operated and social platforms, tailoring each version to the audience, market, and platform.
• Optimize video length, aspect ratio, captions, headlines, thumbnails, metadata, and calls to action using platform best practices and performance insights.
• Program videos on corresponding local articles and support distribution workflows that increase the reach and value of local journalism.
• Manage and prioritize requests from multiple newsrooms, communicate progress and blockers, and balance planned work with urgent coverage needs.
• Maintain editorial, legal, brand, and visual standards, including accuracy, sourcing, attribution, captions, fonts, colors, and overall presentation.
• Track core performance metrics, identify successful local formats and topics, and share repeatable lessons with newsroom and video partners.
• Test emerging AI and automation capabilities responsibly, helping improve templates, workflows, and production standards for local newsroom use.
• Review videos produced by others for quality and accuracy and provide feedback.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years professional experience in digital journalism, video production, social video, or a related field.
• Demonstrated video editing experience with Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, mobile editing applications, or comparable tools.
• Experience creating and publishing video for platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
• Strong writing and editing skills, including the ability to create concise scripts, captions, headlines, and on-screen text.
• Ability to work independently, make sound editorial decisions on deadline, and collaborate across newsrooms and time zones.
• Experience working with local newsrooms or producing video from local reporting is preferred.
• Experience with AI-assisted production platforms, including Stringr or comparable tools, template-driven workflows, content-management systems, or publishing tools is preferred.

Requirements

• A digital-first journalist or producer who understands the role video can play in extending the reach and impact of local journalism.
• A strong editor with sound news judgment, a sharp eye for visuals, and the ability to identify the clearest audience takeaway from a story.
• Comfortable producing quick-turn, high-volume video without sacrificing accuracy, quality, or brand standards.
• Able to move between breaking news, service journalism, enterprise reporting, and community stories based on newsroom needs.
• Highly organized and able to manage requests from multiple markets, changing priorities, and deadline pressure in a remote environment.
• A clear, responsive, and collaborative partner who can work effectively with local reporters, editors, newsroom leaders, and centralized video teams.
• Curious and adaptable, with a practical interest in AI, automation, and new approaches to newsroom production.
• Committed to journalistic ethics, accuracy, fairness, transparency, and responsible use of emerging technology.

Benefits

• The hourly rate for this role will range between $25.48 and $39.81.
• Variable incentive compensation, including commissions, is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable.
• Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, education level, location, and union representation, if applicable.