The Austin American-Statesman is seeking a champion sports journalist to take readers inside Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M recruiting for statesman.com.
The Texas Recruiting Insider will have a track record of creating diverse coverage portfolios that show authority of topic, tactical proficiency of SEO best practices and new-age reporting techniques that routinely sets them apart from peers.
We want a writer who wants to be part of a winning team and can tackle any assignment. The ideal candidate will complement the Statesman's Texas and A&M beat coverage by adding high-level exclusive content that leverages source building, relationships, camp circuits, research proficiency and 1:1 access to deliver one-of-a-kind content year-round.
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The Insider will give readers a peek behind the curtain on all things recruiting - from breaking news, to enterprise/investigative work to feature storytelling - with content that routinely brings in new readers and drives them toward a path to subscription. Along with deeply reported content, this writer will be equally adept at producing SEO-focused content and maintaining a strong cadence of on- and off-platform content.
Night and weekend work should be expected, especially during peak sports seasons. Writer will focus on Texas and Texas A&M recruiting but can be assigned to pinch-hit on other topics as needed.
Responsibilities:
- Routinely deliver exclusive recruiting content that digs deeper than breaking news on social media.
- Build a robust network of sources to strengthen Longhorns and Aggies recruiting coverage.
- Monitor SEO trends and master engagement best practices to pinpoint readership needs and deliver with maximum proficiency.
- Maintain a steady cadence of content production and breaking news while working in the background and foreground simultaneously to keep readers coming to statesman.com.
- Track daily progress to goals using metrics software (Parse.ly) and adjust beat strategy to ensure sustainable growth year-round.
- Monitor recruiting conversations on the Longhorns and Aggies, including on Reddit, TV, message boards and social media, to stay in tune with reader needs.
- Monitor new-age reporting techniques to evolve insider coverage year-to-year.
- Contribute to evolution of Statesman football coverage on and off platform, including podcasts, vertical video reels, newsletters and other new-age techniques.
- Proactive collaboration with a robust college sports team across the USA TODAY Network.
- Contribute to other needs and perform additional responsibilities as assigned.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Track record of authoritative writing/analysis, enterprise and investigative work.
- Track record of breaking news in fast-paced digital news environments.
- Track record of turning quick-strike trending news for maximum audience gains.
- Top-notch writing, editing and headline-writing skills.
- Proven experience in search engine optimization.
- Excellent news judgment.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Experience with advanced storytelling techniques on multiple platforms.
- Effective communicator; able to get along with diverse personalities.
- Able to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing industry.
- Ability to act calmly and decisively in complex breaking news situations.
- Strong knowledge of AP style.
- Able to work early morning, night or weekend shifts.
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.
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