Chief Digital Audience & Production Leader

Clay Today; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 163,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

USA TODAY seeks an Executive Editor, Audience & Digital Production, to lead audience strategy across platforms and oversee a 23–30 person newsroom structure. This role will shape digital experiences, drive audience growth, and integrate AI tools to enhance speed, quality, and reach.

The leader will collaborate with pillar editors, analytics teams, and platform owners to ensure performance targets are met while maintaining brand voice and editorial standards across web, apps, newsletters, video,

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in digital newsrooms or audience/production teams.
• Proven track record driving audience growth across multiple platforms (site, app, newsletters, social, video, search).
• Strong fluency in audience analytics and the ability to translate data into editorial and distribution decisions.
• Experience managing cross-functional stakeholders and complex, multi-team operating models.
• Comfort leading change, including reorganization, workflow design, and adoption of new tools (AI/automation).

Responsibilities

• Own the audience strategy across platforms and articulate distribution priorities.
• Accountable for performance, KPIs, and division goals, using live analytics to inform decisions.
• Lead the Compass operating model across pillars, platforms, and central desk.
• Plan daily and long-range tentpoles, live coverage, and major initiatives.
• Foster cross-functional partnerships to align audience priorities with business objectives.
• Maintain editorial quality with audience-focused standards and brand consistency.
• Champion AI and workflow innovations to improve speed, depth, and scalability.
• Hire, develop, and structure a 23–30 person newsroom team.

Job description

USA TODAY seeks an Executive Editor, Audience & Digital Production, to lead audience strategy across platforms and oversee a 23–30 person newsroom structure. This role will shape digital experiences, drive audience growth, and integrate AI tools to enhance speed, quality, and reach.

The leader will collaborate with pillar editors, analytics teams, and platform owners to ensure performance targets are met while maintaining brand voice and editorial standards across web, apps, newsletters, video,