Sports Reporter

Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media company is seeking a dynamic sports reporter to cover Jackson State athletics and high school sports. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in sports journalism, excellent storytelling skills, and a commitment to engaging with the community. This role offers the opportunity to be part of a collaborative team focused on delivering impactful sports coverage in a competitive market.

Qualifications

• At least three years of experience in sports reporting.
• Ability to develop strong sourcing and produce content across formats.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video.

Responsibilities

• Cover Jackson State athletics and high school sports.
• Connect with the community through storytelling and outreach.
• Collaborate with the content team to provide story elements.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Digital skills

Storytelling

Multitasking

Social media proficiency

Education

Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field

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 Careers viaDayforce .Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. To connect with us, visitwww.gannett.com

The Clarion Ledger/ClarionLedger.com is seeking a dynamic sports reporter to cover Jackson State athletics and high school sports in a highly competitive market.

The ideal candidate, who will be based in Jackson, Miss., will have at least three years of experience, with proven ability to develop sources, drive storytelling and evolve written beat coverage based on audience tendencies and metrics.

We want someone who is a self-starter, a good teammate and is raring to make our coverage better. This job is part of the USA TODAY Network's South Region and will be part of a broader team in Mississippi which works together to achieve maximum results.

Responsibilities:

• Fundamental understanding of how to grow subscriptions through topics, timeliness and storytelling.
• Commitment to becoming the leading voice in area of expertise.
• Connect with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, etc.)
• Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
• Works with region sports director and deputy region sports directors to evaluate what's working and use metrics to develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborates with content team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e. photos, videos and graphics).
• Captures basic photos and video as needed.
• Promotes personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
• Provides great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• College or other high-level sports beat experience preferred; strong digital skills required.
• Ability to develop strong sourcing and produce content that takes advantage of all formats, including social media, mobile, desktop, video, television and print.
• Proficiency on social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, X, and Instagram.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone.
• 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; familiarity with AP style.
• Ability to work some nights and weekends.
• Comfort building a beat and communicating with athletes and coaches.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

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

1. Your resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to no more than three published stories, writing samples.

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].