Sports Writer

Title: Pittsburgh Sports Writer

Location: United States

Job Description

|Current USA TODAY Co. Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through MyApps| 

USA TODAY Co., Inc. 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 sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. USA TODAY Co. open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at USA TODAY Co., you should be completing an application on USA TODAY Co. Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. If you are a California resident, you acknowledge that by applying for a job with us, this California Job Applicant Privacy Notice will apply to our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information. 

USA TODAY Sports is seeking a seasoned writer to cover Pittsburgh sports and deliver impactful, essential journalism with modern techniques across multiple platforms. 

We need a self-starter who has the stamina and vigor to attack the biggest story of the day in a sports-crazed city. That means identifying what moves the needle for Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and colleges audiences, along with the best stories in high school sports. 

The ideal candidate will balance urgent delivery of breaking news with thoughtful analysis and deeply reported enterprise to become a mandatory source for Pittsburgh sports news.

Comfort appearing on camera to concisely analyze the news is a must, including vertical video. Expertise of the players and personalities who drive interest is a necessity to cover Pittsburgh sports. 

USA TODAY Sports is the flagship sports brand within USA TODAY Co., the nation’s largest news media organization, consisting of more than 250 properties. The candidate will work collaboratively with fast-moving teams across the enterprise to achieve the company’s goal of becoming the dominant sports news and information destination in the country. 

This is a remote salaried position, based in Pittsburgh, with competitive benefits and pay. 

Responsibilities:

• Create smart, thoughtful, engaging, content in a variety of formats to rapidly grow audience on USA TODAY and other network sites.
• Master best practices for maximum reach on search / social and commit to getting content to top of Google carousels.
• Stay on front lines of what's buzzing in Pittsburgh sports and react quickly to trending topics.
• Engage readers every day, including written, video and social media content.
• Track performance metrics and adapt strategies to meet tough but achievable goals. 
• Display creativity in everything, including daily content, SEO-optimized headlines and fun social content and videos. 
• Embrace the challenge of competing in a fast-moving news environment to deliver exclusive information.

Requirements:

• Reside in Pittsburgh. 
• College degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years’ experience as a sports journalist, with focus on fast-paced digital content production and multimedia expertise.
• Understanding of various news and information content management systems.
• A history of collaboration, innovation and goal achievement.
• Proven ability of maximizing readership by anticipating news, researching trends and delivering news in a variety of story forms. 
• Exceptional social media and engagement skills.
• Ability to write with accuracy and precision.
• Excellent communication and time-management skills.
• Approachability, personal charisma 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.

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.

The annualized base salary for this role will range between $55,500 and $86,719.  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. 

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 Recruit@usatodayco.com. Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.

Job Details

Job Family

Media

Job Function

Content Production

Pay Type

Salary

Education Level

Equivalent Experience