DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL DISCOVERY

The Director of Digital Discovery is a seasoned digital media professional who will lead the day-to-day production of high-quality content across our growing network of local news properties.  The Director of Digital Discovery will write, produce, assign, curate, optimize, publish, and monitor high-quality local, regional, and national news stories for distribution across our network of social and digital media properties. The Discovery Desk works closely with local newsroom leaders, reporters, photographers, and multimedia journalists to develop, publish, and promote digital content that is highly engaging.  The Director of Digital Discovery will help our local media properties grow by training and coaching newsroom staff and through leading by example.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

  • Strong digital publishing skills including a solid understanding of News Writing, AP Style, headline-writing, SEO concepts, and basic HTML
  • Familiarity with industry-standard tools including WordPress, Adobe CS, Google Analytics, Microsoft Office, etc.
  • 3-5 years experience working in a fast-paced Newsroom environment is preferred
  • Ideal candidates will have a degree in Digital Media, Communications, Journalism, or the equivalent combination of experience and education
  • Strong leadership and communication skills and a desire to grow with the company is a plus
  • Candidates should be self-starters who are comfortable working both independently and with others in a fast-paced, deadline-drive environment
  • Desire to be a key part of an innovative, growing team of digital journalists and take on additional responsibilities over time

DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES:

  • Research, write, edit, and publish time-sensitive local, regional, and national news content, with a focus on clarity, fairness, legality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
  • Assign, curate, and optimize national, regional, and local news stories by collaborating with team members in local newsrooms as well as a dynamic team of Citizen Journalists at locations across the country.
  • Write highly effective headlines and story summaries and pitch stories to regional and national news sites
  • Write, post, and monitor engaging social media content on multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and others.
  • Discover, verify, and publish breaking news quickly and accurately while maintaining open communication with local newsroom staff as stories develop
  • Optimize content structure, placement, metadata, hyperlinks, images etc.
  • Monitor real-time analytical data to determine audience engagement patterns and make data-driven decisions in order to optimize content performance

WORK LOCATION:

Corporate HQ / Remote Work Location (Optional).  This position is based at SMGs corporate office in Nashville, Tennessee but could also be structured as a remote/work-from-home role, depending upon background and experience.  The role may also include up to 25% travel to local markets, industry conferences, etc.

COMPENSATION:

Competitive salary plus generous benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, vacation, paid holidays and paid time-off, and exceptional growth opportunities.

NEXT STEPS:
Interested?  Please upload your resume and cover letter as a single PDF below.  Please include salary requirements and links to published content.

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