[Hiring] Social Video Specialist @USA TODAY Co.

Role Description

USA TODAY is looking for a high-energy, audience-focused Social Video Specialist with journalism experience (required) to monitor and advise on the performance and innovation of USA TODAY’s off-platform video portfolio, specifically on social media. The ideal candidate is passionate about preserving the future of news through innovative storytelling and engagement experiences.

This role is right for you if you’re constantly monitoring the latest trends in social media and emerging platforms, including in the creator industry, and love to experiment and innovate.

As a key strategic leader on the new USA TODAY audience team, you will:

• Combine expertise in social and vertical video production, data analytics, and platform insights to grow audience and discoverability.
• Deepen engagement and support new revenue opportunities.
• Lead audience-focused experimentation for our off-platform video distribution.
• Test new approaches and engagement strategies that drive measurable growth.
• Anticipate and respond to shifts in social media and video trends and audience behavior.
• Help strengthen audience engagement across the newsroom by coaching journalists on effective social video practices.
• Work across divisions and translate company-wide priorities into clear, actionable plans for the newsroom.
• Partner with our Video Production Team to plan for major tentpole events and set broader off-platform video strategies.

Help us ensure the future of journalism is strong and that our newsroom continues to evolve to meet the needs of a growing digital audience.

This position is remote and can be based anywhere in the US, except for Alaska, Hawaii, and Wyoming. If you live near one of our local newsrooms, you may have the option to use that as a base of operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead USA TODAY’s social video strategy, including our strategy for user-generated content.
• Establish a cohesive editorial style for USA TODAY’s social video journalism.
• Monitor the creator industry, emerging platforms, and evolving audience behaviors.
• Develop strategies that encompass the entire audience journey.
• Analyze performance, identify growth opportunities, and lead experiments in partnership with content strategy.
• Adapt platform strategy in real time during breaking news and major events.
• Translate data points into actionable insights.
• Partner across divisions to improve social video revenue and consumer retention.
• Lead the audience team’s relationship with our video production team.
• Collaborate with AI leads to test and implement tools that improve social video production and workflow efficiency.
• Coach journalists on social video storytelling, production techniques, and technical tools.
• Balance and execute editorial and business priorities while keeping audience needs at the center of every decision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience in digital journalism or newsroom leadership, including experience in a digital, print, or television news organization. Journalism experience is mandatory.

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.
• Samples of your work.

Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

Salary Information

The annualized base salary for this role will range between $73,000 and $90,000. 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. Note: variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status, education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where USA TODAY Co. employs employees.

In addition, USA TODAY Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with USA TODAY Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact USA TODAY Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department.