Sr Content Strategist

The USA TODAY NETWORK is seeking a data-minded journalist with audience expertise who can help newsrooms drive audience and subscription growth, build retention by combining digital analytics and audience research with content strategy and best practices.

This position can be remote from all states except for Alaska and Hawaii, but preference will go to candidates based in the Detroit or Michigan area. The position allows for work from home, as well as flexible in-office opportunity. This position will report to the USA TODAY Network Content Strategy/Analytics team and works primarily with the Detroit Free Press. The position also requires collaboration with editors across the region and company.

This is an opportunity to make a difference in USA TODAY CO.'s effort to save local news.

Requirements:

• Experience as a digital leader in a news operation. Prior experience in a digital, print or television news operation is required. Journalism experience is mandatory.
• 7+ years of journalism digital or leadership experience and understanding of the modern digital media landscape.
• 3-5 years of experience in analytics, with a preference for content analytics.
• Passion for helping local editors and reporters craft indispensable journalism that serves the local community.
• Aptitude for and experience validating, collecting and interpreting data.
• Pro-active leader that can manage their time and prioritization of tasks.

Responsibilities:

• Create and monitor reporting and KPI progress, including metrics for loyalty, engagement.
• Translate data points into actionable insights around coverage and how we reach audiences.
• Collaborate with journalists to develop tactics and best practices to help reporters and editors remain focused on the content our audiences seek, no matter the platform.
• Actively participate in the newsroom, monitor story selection and trends; help plan and elevate coverage decisions.
• Host trainings on best practices, data-informed decision making and use of analytics tools.
• Partner with product, consumer marketing for holistic audience growth.

The right candidate deeply understands data tools and knows how to apply their analytical mindset to content. This is a hands-on data job, and digging skills are required. But it's just as important that this leader understand how insights relate to modern digital journalism, newsroom deployment and pace and audience development.

Technical skill requirements:

• Experience using and building reports with Google Analytics and Parse.ly or similar tools.
• Advanced skill in Microsoft Excel, including creating pivot tables from complex datasets and understanding of basic Excel formulas.
• Preference will be given to journalists that have experience developing, executing and iterating on audience growth strategies.
• Proven success in collaboration and building trusting relationships.
• Experience in newsletters, social, SEO, video, sports or other specialty roles is exciting and should be outlined in your application.
• Effective communication. Must be comfortable presenting data in an accessible way to a room of inquisitive journalists.
• SQL and experience with using AI to analyze data a bonus

Help us ensure the future of journalism is strong and that our newsrooms continue to evolve to meet the needs of a growing digital audience.

Application Instructions

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. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job and relevant journalism and data experience.
2. Your resume - one to two pages
3. An example or two of a project or strategy that you're proud of and had a key hand in leading. Please include a brief description of the work, your role and any relevant results.

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#LI-NC1
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The annualized base salary for this role will range between $58,000 and $90,625. 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.

Client-provided location(s): Flexible / Remote

Job ID: utn-86334

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-12-12T21:01:15