Louisville sports editor

Sports Director

The Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, is seeking a Sports Director to lead talented journalists in a fast-paced, digitally focused environment where college and high school basketball are key audience drivers.

The successful candidate will think digitally first, using analytics to shape coverage that will help us grow our audience. That means enterprise, storytelling, analysis and authoritative lists rather than game stories and scores. The editor will coach a staff with varying levels of experience and be an important part of Gannett's growing network of sports coverage across the Midwest Region.

The Courier Journal was awarded a 2020 Pulitzer Prize for its breaking news coverage. It's a high-performing newsroom focused on meeting the demands of an engaged readership. Louisville has some of the highest-profile coverage opportunities in the country: national championship-caliber college basketball teams; SEC, ACC and Big Ten football; and the world-famous Kentucky Derby. Our coverage is built on digital storytelling and mobile consumption, which includes real-time reporting, smart analysis, video champions, deep storytelling and social engagement.

Responsibilities:

• Execute tactics on growing subscriptions through storytelling, topics and headlines.
• Help the staff hone skills in a wide range of storytelling: from real time digital updates to narrative storytelling, employing alternative story forms and multimedia.
• Use metrics and analytics to determine how to best reach and grow the audience.
• Increase digital audience and engagement and grow digital subscriptions.
• Display creativity in everything from developing fresh content to writing SEO-friendly headlines to sharing content socially to having an eye for images and video.
• Be a teacher, not just an editor, because everyone needs a coach.
• Be courageous about experimentation.
• Be a team player who likes to collaborate with coworkers.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years' experience as a sports journalism leader, with focus on digital content and multimedia platforms.
• Experience in high-level decision-making with complex, impactful or sensitive news content.
• Advanced understanding of various news and information content management systems.
• A history of successful leadership, collaboration, innovation and goal achievement.
• Demonstrated change leader who collaborates and communicates effectively with diverse peoples and personalities.
• Demonstrated record of leading a coverage team, including remote writers.
• Passion for strong watchdog, enterprise and features work across multiple platforms.
• Strong social media skills.
• Understanding of best uses of live and recorded video and how to inculcate video skills throughout the team.
• Ability to work well on deadline.
• Ability to write with accuracy and precision.
• Excellent communication and time-management skills.
• Approachability, comfortable with public speaking and a commitment to staff.
• Understanding of the changing sports media landscape and ability to adapt strategies that address continually changing market and consumer needs and desires.
• Strong competitive instincts and intellectual curiosity.
• Ability to effectively manage and coordinate in an environment of accountability.

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 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 your desired 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.

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 View email address on click.appcast.io . Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.