Audience Producer

The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an audience producer to join our audience engagement team.

The ideal candidate has experience creating and optimizing visual content for social media,can effectively connect journalism ranging from breaking news to enterprise investigations with audiences across visual and video-first platforms and enjoy brainstorming creative, data-informed ways to engage and grow audiences on new and existing social and off-site platforms.

This position is part of the team that managesThe Arizona Republic's main branded social media accounts, as well as direct audience outreach, newsletters and social video. The team optimizes the distribution of our journalism to attract and engage new audiences and builds trust by curating a voice that reflects the personalities and interests of Arizonans while remaining a reliable source for accurate and timely news updates.

This role will focus heavily on Instagram, TikTok and other emerging video-first or community platforms, using those spaces to reach new and underserved audiences. Creating vertical videos, scroll-stopping social cards and innovative audience engagement plans will be top priorities, along with using social media to build loyalty.

We're looking for someone who has a strong sense of what resonates with audiences on each platform and can bring fresh, creative ideas as algorithms evolve. The ideal candidate is a clear communicator and grade-A collaborator, comfortable explaining strategy and advocating for best practices across the newsroom.

Candidates should have experience managing social media for a news outlet, including during breaking news and live events. Experience working on collaborative audience engagement projects is preferred. Knowledge of analytics tools such as Google Analytics, Parse.ly, native platform insights and other social listening tools is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Help manage and develop growth strategy for azcentral's social media accounts including emerging video-driven platforms.
• Lead initiatives to reach younger and underserved audiences through innovative, visual-first storytelling.
• Pitch, produce and edit vertical video content.
• Create and guide Instagram design decisions that strengthen brand consistency and engagement.
• Collaborate with reporters, editors and visual teams on rollout plans for enterprise and investigative projects.
• Monitor platform trends, algorithm updates and audience behaviors to inform strategy.
• Brainstorm and pitch audience engagement initiatives and experiments that include user-generated content and interactive formats.
• Communicate performance insights and platform best practices clearly across teams.

• Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism or related field or equivalent experience.
• At least 1-3 years' experience managing social media for a news organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in vertical video production and visual editing for social platforms.
• Strong eye for design and storytelling through Instagram carousels and social cards.
• Experience with Adobe Premiere, Cap Cutor similar video editing tools.
• Familiarity with analytics and social management tools such as Social News Desk, True Anthem, Parse.ly or Meta Business Suite.
• Proven ability to communicate ideas clearly and work collaboratively across newsroom teams.
• Experience with TikTok, Instagram Reels, Pinterest, Threads, Reddit and other emerging platforms.

1. Your resume (one to two pages)
2. A cover letter outlining your approach to the role
3. Links to 3-5 examples of digital storytelling, vertical videos or social graphics that best reflect your work