Freelance Digital Writer - Editor

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

VERSANT (Nasdaq: VSNT) is an industry-changing media and entertainment business and home to trusted brands that shape culture, inform audiences, and build lasting connections. It operates across four core markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and sports and genre entertainment. These markets are served through a powerful portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including CNBC, MS NOW, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Versant’s sports division USA Sports, along with complementary digital assets including Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and GolfPass.

Role Summary:

Versant Sports is hiring a Freelance Digital Writer/Editor who will be a part of our growing team of digital content creators and publishers on the Sports digital team. This role requires day to day content creation and distribution of all original sports written editorial and video content across Versant Sports platforms, with a priority on Golf Channel and other sports as assigned. The ideal candidate is creative, adaptable, and efficient at writing, editing and optimizing digital-first Sports content for distribution across site, app, social media and mobile optimized platforms. You will package Golf Channel’s written and video content in a manner that maximizes reach while prioritizing editorial accuracy. You’ll also be assigned other sports editorial articles in line with Versant’s Sports priorities.

This is a project based / limited term position with an estimated duration of up to 12 months, unless otherwise amended or terminated as deliverables within this project are completed.  

Responsibilities:

• Write and edit SEO-optimized sports articles, headlines and captions that drive page views and discovery.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced sports environment and write and edit multiple articles quickly on deadline, often throughout live event coverage
• A strong familiarity with Golf and covering Golf related news is required, as well as ease in writing for multiple other sports genres including: basketball, volleyball, soccer and other Versant Sports priorities
• Create, edit and publish tournament- and news-related content as assigned
• Writer/editors should have strong handle on editorial judgement and use performance metrics to drive reach and engagement on the content they’re creating. A good sense of what will perform well for sports and golf audiences is required.
• Manage the presentation of content across Versant Sports sites including Golf Channel and USA Sports homepages and sports brand-specific pages
• Manage video publishing and livestream presentation on the Golf Channel main site and on the Sports App
• Assist in the ideation, creation and execution of sales / sponsored content
• Excellent grammar and fact checking are required
• Package Golf Channel written and video content on our digital platforms to maximize reach and prioritize editorial accuracy
• Plan around key properties and tentpole events to develop coverage strategies and ensure coordination between linear broadcasts and digital teams
• Contribute to team brainstorms by pitching content ideas that will help build on-site and off-site traffic and audience
• Support relationships with partner platforms
• Juggle multiple projects with parallel timelines

Basic Qualifications:

• BA or BS from a four-year accredited college or university or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in digital editorial, content creation and distribution at a sports or media company, publisher or content agency
• Strong writing, editing and content packaging skills with a clear sense of voice by audience and platform
• Experience working with CMS platforms, SEO basics and analytics dashboards
• Solid editorial judgment and engagement with multiple digital properties
• Firm understanding of digital storytelling, audience development and distribution best practices
• Clear communication skills and ability to work collaboratively
• Keen attention to detail and ability to prioritize across multiple concurrent leagues and events
• Familiarity with a digital ecosystem and ability to learn and master multiple technical platforms
• Strong copy editing skills, ability to self-edit your own work
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and meet deadlines
• Willingness to be an individual contributor while working within a team environment and contribute to the overall brand’s growth and success

Eligibility Requirements:

• Interested candidates must submit a resume for this job online to be considered
• Must be willing to work in Stamford CT
• Must have work authorization to work in the United States
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must have ability to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings due to news cycles and breaking news

Desired Characteristics:

• Demonstrated knowledge of golf and its leagues, events and intricacies – strong interest in golf required
• Strong understanding of SEO principles and publishing
• Strong organizational skills; attention to detail
• Strong communication skills and willingness to work in a team environment

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to View email address on ziprecruiter.com.

VERSANT Media is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We include a good faith pay range for each position to comply with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and to promote equity across our organization. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, and location and may include additional forms of compensation and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.

VERSANT Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at VERSANT via-email, the Internet, or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from VERSANT's Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by VERSANT as a result of the referral or through other means.