Senior Director, Sports Products

Title: Senior Director, Sports Products

Location: United States, Virtual

Job Description:

We're the digital engine behind one of America's most trusted media networks - powering national brands and hundreds of local newsrooms across the country. Our team builds the websites, apps, newsletters, and experiences that connect millions of people to the stories that matter most.

We've been remote-first since before it was trendy, with a hybrid culture that blends flexibility and collaboration. Our team spans coast to coast, giving us a front-row seat to the communities we serve - and the sports they live for.

The Role

Sports are at the heart of the USA TODAY Network - from iconic national coverage to hometown high school rivalries. As Senior Director, Sports Products, you'll be the strategic and operational leader behind our digital sports experiences. You'll shape the future of how fans engage with breaking news, live scores, and comprehensive coverage across desktop, mobile web, and app platforms.

This is a high-impact role for a clutch product visionary who thrives at the intersection of audience passion, business growth, and technical innovation. You'll lead a talented team of product and project managers, partner with passionate technologist,s and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive a roadmap that delivers habit-forming, fan-first experiences.

What You'll Do

Own the game plan. Define and drive the end-to-end product strategy for sports, aligned with company goals for audience growth, subscriptions, and advertising.

Lead the team. Mentor and grow a high-performing group of product professionals, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and experimentation.

Craft the vision. Develop and evangelize a bold, user-centered roadmap for sports products across all digital platforms.

Collaborate to win. Partner with editorial, design, engineering, data, and marketing leaders to bring your roadmap to life.

Build for fans. Spot opportunities to deepen engagement and loyalty by creating differentiated, habit-forming sports experiences.

Measure what matters. Use data and insights to optimize performance, validate assumptions, and refine strategy.

Champion agility. Promote rapid experimentation, iterative delivery, and human-centered design practices.

Represent sports at the top. Serve as the executive-level product voice for Sports, ensuring alignment with broader company strategy.

What You Bring

10+ years in product management, including 5+ years leading product teams.

Proven success in building consumer-facing digital products with measurable impact.

Deep understanding of digital media, sports platforms, or fan engagement ecosystems.

Strategic mindset with a bias for action - you can zoom out to see the big picture and dive in to get things done.

Fluency in Agile methodologies and user-centered design.

Strong analytical chops - you know how to turn data into decisions.

Exceptional communication and leadership skills - you inspire teams and influence stakeholders.

Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

You, Ideally

You don't just follow sports - you live them. You understand the emotional highs of a buzzer-beater and the daily rituals of checking scores and stats. You see every product as a chance to bring fans closer to the action. You're a builder, a strategist, and a fan advocate. You thrive in fast-paced environments and love turning bold ideas into beloved experiences.

#LocaliQ #LI-REMOTE #LI-NR2

The annualized base salary for this role will range between $160,000 and $175,000.  Base compensation is reflective of many factors, including, but not limited to, the market in which one lives/works, individual education level, skills, certifications and experience. Note: variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable.