Content Creator, Sports

USA Today; United States; Remote; USD 34,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

USA TODAY is seeking a dynamic Content Creator to amplify our sports journalism across our website, app, social platforms and newsletters, expanding reach and audience engagement. The ideal candidate thrives on platform-native storytelling, is comfortable on camera, and can design a cohesive off-platform audience experience with video, social content, and newsletters.

This remote role can be based anywhere in the US (excluding Alaska, Hawaii and Wyoming) and may require extended hours to cover

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in communications/journalism or related field.
• 3+ years in a digitally-focused news environment with sports content.
• Experience creating content optimized for social media, newsletters, or search and familiarity with SEO.

Responsibilities

• Curate and program the USA TODAY Sports homepage and craft app alerts.
• Create engaging social content reflecting USA TODAY’s voice, including video.
• Curate/write newsletters to deepen audience connection.
• Partner with reporters and editors to amplify coverage and opportunities.
• Coordinate user-generated content and influencer outreach as needed.
• Assist with on-site optimization for discoverability.
• Experiment with emerging platforms to drive audience growth.

Skills

Social media content creation

Video editing

Platform expertise (TikTok, Instagram,

Analytics basics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related field

Tools

Canva

Premiere Pro

Hootsuite

Job description

USA TODAY is looking for talented journalists to join our newly reimagined audience team! If you apply, please do so directly at the link and not through LinkedIn. I am on the hiring committee for all, so happy to answer any questions you may have!

Posted by: Jennifer Hefty, Senior Director of Engagement Strategy

|Current USA TODAY Co. Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through MyApps|

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-size businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. USA TODAY Co. open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at USA TODAY Co., you should be completing an application on USA TODAY Co. Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. If you are a California resident, you acknowledge that by applying for a job with us, this California Job Applicant Privacy Notice will apply to our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information. To connect with us, visit www.usatodayco.com

USA TODAY is seeking a dynamic Content Creator to amplify our Sports journalism across our website, app, social platforms and newsletters, expanding its reach and deepening audience engagement.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic, personality-driven creator with deep experience in sports content creation and a strong understanding of how sports fans discover and engage with content. You are comfortable on camera and know how to build a personal connection with audiences through compelling, platform-native storytelling, particularly video, social media and newsletters.

This is not a traditional producer, social media or newsletter management role. Your primary focus will be creating distinctive content and designing a cohesive off- platform audience experience. You will work strategically across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit and emerging platforms to reach younger and traditionally underserved audiences, deepen engagement and turn successful ideas into repeatable growth strategies.

This role may require working extended hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, sometimes unexpectedly, when news requires it. This role 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

• Curate and program the USA TODAY Sports homepage and craft app alerts to showcase timely, relevant, and high-performing content.
• Create engaging social content that reflects USA TODAY’s voice and resonates with USA TODAY Sports audiences, including video.
• Curate and/or write our USA TODAY Sports newsletters, deepening 1:1 connection with our audience.
• Partner with reporters, editors, and audience development teams to amplify coverage and identify promotional opportunities, including live events, comments and AMAs.
• Execute on our user-generated content strategy, packaging this content for use on site and off-platform, in addition to managing influencer outreach and partnerships as needed.
• Assist with optimization of on‑site content for discoverability.
• Experiment with emerging platforms and tools to further accelerate our audience growth.
• Help with live coverage for breaking news and tentpole events.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience, preferably in a digitally-focused news organization. Journalism experience or education is mandatory, as is sports specific experience.
• Experience creating content optimized for social media, newsletters or search and experience with SEO, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok at a minimum.
• Commitment to detail, accuracy and fairness and an understanding of journalistic ethics and best practices.
• Ability to multitask and excel under deadline pressure, using time efficiently.
• Comfort using analytics tools such as Parse.ly, Google Analytics, Google Trends, and social and newsletter engagement insights to make data‑informed decisions is also a plus.

Technical Specifications

• Comfort using analytics tools such as Parse.ly, Google Analytics, Google Trends, and social and newsletter engagement insights to make data‑informed decisions is also a plus.
• Expertise creating content on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram is required at a minimum.
• Experience with video editing tools in-app, and third‑party tools like Canva, Premiere and more.
• Experience with third‑party distribution tools like Hootsuite, True Anthem and Echobox is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to collaborate across teams.
• Familiarity with news products and journalism and understanding of media analytics and ethics.

The hourly rate for this role will range between $25.48 and $39.42. 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.

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.