College Sports Reporter

USA TODAY Co., Inc.; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is seeking a College Sports Reporter for The Oklahoman and the USA TODAY NETWORK to cover top programs in the SEC and provide compelling journalism from Oklahoma City.

The role emphasizes fast, digital-first storytelling across platforms including TV, podcasts and live radio. The successful candidate will be ambitious, proactive, and capable of growing an audience through social media and multimedia and collaborating with OU beat writers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Three to five years of professional journalism experience.
• High-level writing, communication and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well on deadline and use multimedia to supplement their reach.
• Demonstrated track record for keen news judgment, ethical decision-making and fair play.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Responsibilities

• Research, report and produce compelling content that informs and engages readers.
• Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues and situations.
• Use video, photos and social media to spotlight breaking news and high-interest events.
• Produce content in alternative forms (listicles, Q&As, narratives, photo galleries, podcasts, video) tailored to the right platform to best reach the audience.
• Use real-time metrics to respond to user demand and reader interest.

Skills

High-level writing

Time management

Deadline-driven

Multimedia storytelling

News judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. USA TODAY Co. open roles are featured on various external job boards.

College Sports Reporter

The Oklahoman, the state's leading news organization, is hiring for a reporter to cover college athletics. This is a unique opportunity to cover top programs in the highly competitive southeastern Conference at a time when the Oklahoma Sooners are competing for NCAA championships in multiple sports.

We are seeking an ambitious, fast, digitally minded reporter who is hungry to be first with the news and produces a substantial output of content. This reporter can go beyond game coverage to offer analysis and compelling journalism that will surprise readers and keep them coming back.

While football is a year-round priority, this reporter will also team with columnists and the OU beat writer to lead coverage of other sports — including basketball, baseball, softball and gymnastics as audience interest demand.

The successful candidate will be self-motivated and adept at growing an audience through great content, smart use of social media and multimedia and promoting their brand and work on TV, podcasts and live radio.

This is a stellar opportunity for someone with three to five years of sports reporting experience. The successful candidate, who will be based in the Oklahoma City metro area, must be able to meet tight deadlines and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Research, report and produce compelling content that informs and engages readers.
• Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues and situations.
• Use video, photos and social media to spotlight breaking news and high-interest events.
• Produce content in alternative forms (listicles, Q&As, narratives, photo galleries, podcasts, video — that are tailored to the right platform (mobile, desktop, social media) to best reach the audience.
• Use real-time metrics to respond to user demand and reader interest.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Three to five years of professional journalism experience.
• High-level writing, communication and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well on deadline and use multimedia to supplement their reach.
• Demonstrated track record for keen news judgment, ethical decision-making and fair play.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

About

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 (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), 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 at [e-mail]. Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.

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