Entertainment Visuals Producer/Programmer

USA TODAY is seeking a full-time Entertainment Visual Producer to join our photo and video department. This photo/video position is ideal for a creative, fast-moving journalist who thrives at the intersection of entertainment coverage, visual storytelling, smart use of AI tools, and audience engagement. As part of a global digital media company with more than 250 media properties nationwide, you'll play a key role in shaping how USA TODAY presents entertainment visually-through compelling photo galleries, strategic gallery placement on platform, and short-form vertical video content optimized for mobile and social platforms.

This role is remote and can be based anywhere in the US, except for Alaska and Hawaii.

Responsibilities:

• Create and curate entertainment photo galleries that capture the emotion, artistry, and defining moments of celebrities, events, and fan culture.
• Program galleries into stories across USA TODAY and the Network, ensuring visuals enhance storytelling and drive audience engagement.
• Produce short vertical videos using fast-editing tools for on-platform and social channels, highlighting red carpet moments, celebrity interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and viral entertainment trends.
• Monitor real-time analytics and entertainment trends to identify visual opportunities and adjust content strategy accordingly.
• Leverage AI video generation technology to enhance content output.
• Use AI to identify and optimize audience growth opportunities for visual content.
• Collaborate with editors, producers, and photographers across Entertainment, News, Lifestyle and sometimes Sports, to ensure cohesive and timely visual coverage.
• Source photos and videos from USA TODAY, Gannett's local properties, wire services, and third-party libraries; secure external assets when needed.
• Attend editorial meetings and contribute to planning major entertainment events, seasonal coverage, and breaking news moments.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Understanding of SEO and audience development strategies.
• Minimum 2 years of professional experience, including work in a digital newsroom.
• Strong editorial decision-making skills and news judgment.
• Experience writing, editing, and producing content for digital platforms.
• Skilled in video creation software.
• Confident navigating social media, including writing, scheduling, optimizing posts, and creating video for various platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Interest in all forms of visual journalism-from photography and video to motion graphics.
• We know there are great candidates who won't fit every single item described above and may have important skills that we hadn't even thought of. If that's you, apply and explain how your skills can surprise and delight us in this role.
• Employment is contingent on passing a post-offer, pre-employment background check.

• Experience with motion graphics or video editing for mobile-first platforms.
• Familiarity with entertainment photography best practices and licensing.
• Familiarity with AI tools for content creation and audience growth.

1. Resume - one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job. - Tell us what makes your work stand out.
3. Online links to your portfolio.