[Hiring] Audience Editor @USA TODAY Co.

Role Description

USA TODAY is looking for an innovative, high-energy, data-driven Audience Editor to lead audience engagement strategy for our news, economy and lifestyles coverage.

As a key member of our reimagined USA TODAY audience team, you will utilize your expertise to enhance audience growth, discoverability, engagement and revenue generation for our core journalism. This role is right for you if you’re passionate about news and its essential role in helping people understand the world around them, make informed decisions and navigate everyday life.

• Understand how audiences discover and engage with news content.
• Translate complex topics into clear, accessible and useful information.
• Combine strong news judgment with audience insights to test new approaches across social media, video, newsletters, search and emerging platforms.
• Monitor trends in the broader creator industry and identify ways to translate relevant tactics into strategies for our newsrooms.
• Oversee a small team of content creators to enhance audience engagement.
• Lead through both direct management and influence, building productive relationships with peers and partners throughout the organization.
• Embrace the opportunity to introduce new ideas and improve established practices.
• Work extended hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies, workflows and best practices to achieve audience growth and discoverability.
• Monitor analytics on platform and social, translating data into action steps for journalists.
• Lead audience planning for major events, determining how journalism should be packaged and presented.
• Create, edit or optimize audience-focused content during major events and breaking news.
• Partner cross-divisionally on efforts to monetize journalism and grow audience on social media.
• Manage a team of content creators to ensure consistent brand strategy and execution across platforms.
• Create and monitor reporting and KPI progress, including metrics for loyalty, engagement, relevance and other business goals.
• Be an innovative, creative thinker willing to experiment to support company goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 5 years of newsroom experience, including management, preferably in an audience development role at a digitally-focused media organization.
• A proven passion and experience with storytelling via social media, search and newsletters.
• Proactive leader that can manage their time and prioritize tasks independently.
• Devotion to peer-to-peer training, as both a teacher and student.

Requirements

• Experience using Google Analytics and Parse.ly or similar tools; experience with using AI to analyze data is a plus.
• Expertise in platform-specific data tools such as Meta, TikTok, Reddit, and Salesforce is required.
• Experience with third-party distribution tools like Hootsuite, True Anthem and Echobox is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Familiarity with news products and journalism and understanding of media analytics and ethics.

Application Instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, please submit:

• Your resume – one to two pages.
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
• Examples of at least three projects or strategies that you’re proud of and had a hand in leading in the area of audience engagement.

Salary Information

The annualized base salary for this role will range between $93,000 and $95,000. Base compensation is reflective of many factors, including, but not limited to, the market in which one lives/works, individual education level, skills, certifications and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions.