Entertainment Editor
Req #23318
Our current portfolio of media assets includes USA TODAY, local media organizations in 46 states in the U.S., and Newsquest, a wholly owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom with more than 120 local news media brands. Gannett also owns the digital marketing services companies UpCurve, Inc. and WordStream, Inc., which are marketed under the LOCALiQ brand, and runs the largest media-owned events business in the U.S., USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures.
To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com.
Entertainment Editor
The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an entertainment editor to lead and contribute to news coverage of metro Phoenix's art, culture and music scenes, which are key topics for our audience. Other essential duties include:
- This editor must closely monitor local and national trends, entertainment industry news and prominent figures on social media; build and foster strong connections in the Arizona creative community.
- This editor will use digital tools like Dataminr and CrowdTangle to maintain The Arizona Republic entertainment section’s reputation as the top source for news about the best things to do and see in metro Phoenix.
- This editor will track entertainment industry issues at the local and national level, managing a team of staff reporters and columnists who create a combination of full-length and capsule reviews, breaking news, cultural criticism, reported essays, longform and multi-sourced stories and multimedia projects in a fast-paced, competitive, 24/7 news cycle.
- The editor will have a strong grasp on how to best use SEO, social media platforms, digital and production tools and public records and will have the ability to visualize and execute coverage that furthers impactful conversations about the arts world in our community.
Candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish are preferred.
Typical job duties:
- Have a vision for coverage of arts and culture in Arizona and the greater metro Phoenix area and an understanding of how to present it to engage readers in the print and digital spaces.
- Lead and encourage a team of journalists.
- Cultivate coverage that connects with target audiences through breaking news, national and local trends, things to do, entertainment personalities and reviews.
- Plan and edit daily, trending and enterprise coverage for azcentral and The Arizona Republic by using metrics to inform story choices and shape storytelling strategies.
- Manage budgets.
- Work closely with graphic, photo and video teams to plan and produce compelling content.
- Engage with readers through various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit. Grow the audience for azcentral's entertainment coverage through strategic planning, events and emerging social platforms.
Knowledge and skills:
- A strong interest in the Arizona arts and culture scene and a hunger to explore topics such as class, race, economics, equity, conflict and humanity and how they affect our community.
- Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
- Understanding of metrics, social-media and SEO.
- Strong command of AP style, grammar, copy-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
- Ability to thrive and collaborate well with others in a fast-paced news environment and a commitment to a digital-first mindset.
- Strong news judgment, commitment to accuracy and attention to detail, plus a vision for ambitious storytelling, including features and thesis-driven projects and packages.
- Must have required skills including social media management, advanced storytelling, analytical ability, interpersonal skills and time management.
- Must embrace peer-to-peer training, as both a teacher and student.
- Exceptional planning and organizational skills.
- Self-motivation and self-direction.
- Able to multi-task and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
- Applies innovative, creative thinking to support the team’s goals.
Required work experience, training and education:
- Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of 7 years’ journalism/newsroom experience.
- Experience managing and providing mentorship and meaningful feedback to a team.
- Experience with advanced storytelling techniques on multiple platforms.
- Experience editing and shaping watchdog and investigative journalism.
- News often requires employees to work extended hours, evenings, weekends and holidays, sometimes unexpectedly.
- This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
- Employment is contingent on passing a post-offer pre-employment background check, motor vehicle record check and drug screen.
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 page.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job, with 2-3 pitches for stories or series you’d like to write if hired.
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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Other details
- Job Family Content Management
- Job Function Consumer
- Pay Type Salary
- Required Education Equivalent Experience