Audience Development Editor, Small and Medium Markets

McClatchy is seeking an innovative leader to develop and execute digital audience growth and engagement strategies across its national network of small- and medium-market news sites.

This position will work to test, measure and refine a variety of digital audience growth and subscriber experience tactics and tools. Must have a deep understanding of local news as well as a passion for content coaching, project management and data-driven and swift experimentation with purpose to elevate our powerful, relevant journalism.

In particular, this innovative and collaborative leader will be responsible for deploying McClatchy’s audience growth initiatives to 15 mid-size and small markets that span the nation from Washington to South Carolina, Mississippi to Ohio. They will manage a team of growth producers based in these newsrooms and regions who are focused on growing and engaging audiences through on-site content strategies, newsletters, alerts, SEO, social media, live & virtual events and more.

This role requires strong management skills and a background in audience-focused writing, editing and storytelling. This editor will provide guidance to editors and reporters on everything from story format and distribution, to video and audio presentation, to promotion of high-impact projects. The role also includes a strong partnership with the Director of News Audience Initiatives, and will work closely with News Analytics, Product and Marketing teams.

This position is remote but will ideally be located near one of our 15 newsrooms the small- and medium-market audience team works with. Some travel to McClatchy markets may be required.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is between $80,000 and $95,000 a year, up to 40 hours per week. Individual base pay may vary within that range depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and relevant education.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Will manage a team of Audience Growth Producers across markets. Will work collaboratively with Regional Editors and Senior Editors, as well as leaders in other departments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

● Collaborate with McClatchy teams to create strategies that produce audience growth and subscriber loyalty.

● Champion new tools and experiments in mid-sized and small markets (Tier 2 / 3).

● Train newsrooms on how to regularly discover and grow new audiences while creating subscriber experiences.

● Coordinate with editors producing high-impact journalism projects, ensuring that they put their audience at the center, from the idea phase onward. This means helping to ensure the work includes audience-focused assets and using innovative distribution tactics to reach the right audience at the right time.

● Implement engagement strategies that focus on building community conversations.

● Regularly analyze performance data to improve audience development strategies, and offer feedback to newsrooms.

● Develop strategy to experiment, increase audiences and improve reader experiences, including newsletters, and subscriber experiences and outreach.

What you'll bring:

● 5+ years of experience, preferably in a digitally focused local media organization

● Reliable news judgment and a clear understanding of journalism ethics

● Experience in a leadership role

● Must work comfortably in a job that will be fast-paced, data-driven, shaped constantly by feedback and experimentation

● A deep understanding of social media best practices and newsletter and alert strategies

● Ability to work collaboratively with other departments and senior leaders, as well as editors, reporters and visual journalists

● Experience with analytics platforms, and ability to analyze and communicate effectively about audience analytics

● Curious about and aware of audience trends in the digital media space

● Reporting and editing experience a plus

● Occasional travel may be required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university; preferably in journalism, or the equivalent education, experience, skills and knowledge needed to perform the tasks and responsibilities of the position.