Florida Gators Sports Beat Writer

Gannett; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gainesville Sun, part of Gannett's USA TODAY Network, is seeking a reporter focused on University of Florida athletics, especially the championship basketball team. The ideal candidate will have strong sports reporting experience, excels in storytelling, and engages audiences through various platforms, including social media.

Qualifications

• Previous sports reporting experience with face-to-face communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and work under deadline pressure.
• Strong writing, spelling, and grammar skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide primary coverage of the Gators basketball program.
• Create storytelling that engages audiences using metrics.
• Collaborate on multimedia content such as photos and videos.

Skills

Communication

News Judgement

Social Media Proficiency

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Communications or Journalism

Tools

Social Media Platforms

Mobile Photography and Video Editing

Job description

|Current Gannett Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through OKTA|

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) 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 scalable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve. Our current portfolio of trusted media brands includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, uses innovation and software to enable small and medium-sized businesses to grow, and USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, our events division, creates impactful consumer engagements, promotions, and races. Gannett open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at Gannett, you should be completing an application onGannett CareersviaDayforce.Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. To connect with us, visitwww.gannett.com

The Gainesville Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network, is looking for a reporter to join our three-person department, focused on University of Florida athletics with primary beat coverage of the NCAA Division I national champion basketball team.

As beat writer, this reporter is expected to provide primary coverage of the Gators basketball program as it defends its title. This person will need to create sourcing inside and outside the athletic department to break news and provide insight and context on the ever-changing world of college basketball at one of the sport’s powers.

The right candidate will also be involved in coverage of the UF football program, working with the primary beat writer. Coverage of other sports in collaboration with the Gainesville sports team will also be part of the job.

We’re seeking someone who is ambitious, can find news and not just follow the crowd. We need a writer who knows his/her voice and isn't afraid of alternatives story paths, especially on social media. This reporter also will be comfortable using metrics to understand the enterprise and day-to-day content that is gaining positive reader response.

Engagement will also be important, on social media and in exploring other spaces including Reddit.

Gainesville is a college town with a vibrant culture and, located in north central Florida, within two hours of Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach.

Responsibilities:

• Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages specific audiences and platforms through the use of metrics.
• Connect with our readers through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, forums, community leadership, etc.). Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
• Work with editor and content strategist to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborate to provide appropriate elements for stories (i.e. photos, videos and graphics). Capture basic photos and video as needed.
• Promote personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
• Provide great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.

Requirements:

• A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
• Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous sports reporting experience, including face-to-face communication with athletes and coaches.
• Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on a mobile device.
• Strong communication skills, news judgement and headline-writing ability.
• Ability to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently.
• Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills.
• Ability to work nights and weekends.

How To Apply:

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, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

• Your resume – one to two pages.
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
• Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in this role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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Gannett 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 Gannett employs employees. In addition, Gannett 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 Gannett Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact Gannett Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at [e-mail].