The USA TODAY Network is seeking a dynamic and tech-savvy editor with a strong background in data automation, AI tools, and leading journalists toward sustained readership growth. This fully remote position can be based anywhere in the continental United States. The successful candidate will be at the forefront of a new era in journalism, leading a team that responsibly uses AI technology to create community announcement content for our local news brands while also applying traditional journalism skills.
As Editor, AI-Assisted News, you will have the opportunity to coach journalistic and technical skills while fostering a culture of innovation that distinguishes the USA TODAY Network. This is production-oriented work, focused on creating readership and revenue growth that will serve our communities and sustain our newsrooms. You will be responsible for leading a cutting-edge digital news team that blends human journalistic judgement with AI toolsets to automate content rewrites and create new reader experiences without losing sight of quality.
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But the tech matters less than your real superpower: managing and motivating people. Your team, a larger number of direct reports than most of our managers supervise, works remotely and is spread across the country. You'll have an opportunity to hire many of them. They do vital work on extremely tight deadlines and produce at a rate that would be impossible in the pre-AI era. They're human beings who need connection, motivation, career growth and a reliable PTO schedule. In other words, they need you to be a detail-oriented leader who can hold them accountable while championing their best interests.
You'll work to scale up this AI-assisted project, dubbed Espresso, to serve approximately 150 sites across the United States within Gannett's Center for Community Journalism. The CCJ is a vital structure within the local news division- providing leadership, editing, and planning to our small and mid-sized sites while maintaining a close relationship with metros and USA TODAY. The CCJ supports a diverse team of local journalists, fostering a collaborative environment where innovation and community engagement are prioritized.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead a team of AI-assisted reporters to provide community announcements to small and mid-sized newsrooms across the country.
- Utilize AI tools to generate and enhance content, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and high journalistic standards.
- Collaborate with editors, data journalists, and other team members to ensure timely, accurate work.
- Continuously learn and implement new strategies for using AI tools to enhance reporting efficiency and productivity.
- Monitor and maintain workflows, ensuring that quality, speed and responsiveness are held in balance.
- Troubleshoot and optimize workflows. For example, help speed up the process of finding and selecting visual elements, and of moving finished articles into the CMS for publication.
- Coach and directly supervise AI-assisted reporters, including regular 1:1s.
- Be conversant with analytics and comfortable working toward team and individual KPIs.
- Spot check stories, answer questions and ensure high journalistic standards and human involvement are the standard 100% of the time.
- Demonstrate commitment to diversity and belonging in the team, the work and the culture.
- Coordinate with local editors across the CCJ. Be prepared to listen for understanding and address concerns. Ensure that your team is supported and represented.
- Coach and develop the team, introducing new skills, best practices and tools regularly.
- Maintain the highest standard of journalistic integrity and ethical reporting.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of journalistic principles, media law, and SEO practices.
- Administer company policies that directly affect team members.
- Manage the team's schedule to ensure coverage, efficiency and cross-support. Plan for absences so that the flow of stories to any given site is not interrupted.
- Cultivate a recruitment pipeline and take the lead on new hires for the team.
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of journalism experience, at least two of them in leadership roles.
- Demonstrated ability to lead others, regardless of job title.
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, data science, or a related field. Equivalent work experience welcomed.
- Strong understanding of journalistic principles, practices, and media law.
- Proficiency in AI tools, machine-learning, and data automation technologies.
- Excellent writing, editing, and interviewing skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and manage multiple priorities.
- Strong problem-solving skills and an understanding of statistics.
- Good interpersonal communication skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- A proactive, self-motivated attitude with a commitment to continuous improvement.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunity to work with AI technology in a journalistic setting.
- A collaborative and supportive team environment.
- Continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
- The chance to be at the forefront of the evolving media landscape.
Working Conditions:
This is a fully remote position. The successful candidate can live in any U.S. state where Gannett operates. News often requires employees to work extended hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays, sometimes unexpectedly. Employment is contingent on passing a post-offer pre-employment background check and drug screen.
This role is perfect for someone passionate about journalism and technology, ready to lead and innovate in the evolving media landscape. If you have the skills and experience, we encourage you to apply!
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.
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The annualized base salary for this role will range between $38,700.00 and $93,150.00. Variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, location, and union representation, if applicable.