Editor, Search and Optimization

Editor, Search and Optimization

United States Virtual Req #38411

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is a subscription-led and digitally-focused media and marketing solutions company committed to empowering communities to thrive. With an unmatched reach at the national and local level, Gannett touches the lives of millions with our Pulitzer Prize-winning content, consumer experiences and benefits, and advertiser products and services.

Our current portfolio of media assets includes The USA TODAY NETWORK, which includes USA TODAY, and local media organizations in 43 states in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. We also own digital marketing services companies under the brand LocaliQ, which provide a cloud-based platform of products to enable small and medium-sized businesses to accomplish their marketing goals. In addition, our portfolio includes one of the largest media-owned events businesses in the U.S., USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures.

Gannett open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at Gannett, you should be completing an application on Gannett Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid.

To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com

USA TODAY is seeking an experienced Search and Optimization Editor with strategy prowess in both breaking news and long-term/evergreen content initiatives.

The ideal candidate will be immersed in the day-to-day operations of the newsroom and will help optimize USA TODAY’s content to become discoverable through organic search, Google News and paid search.

This editor will help USA TODAY get in front of audiences seeking content related to viral trends, live coverage of major events and breaking news while also targeting common, everyday questions most often asked by audiences.

The candidate will also work to prepare keyword research in advance of major events and will assist editors with their long-term content strategy plans, including evergreen content opportunities.

They will monitor SERP and help the newsroom optimize content on a daily basis, in addition to educating colleagues on evolving best practices. Night and weekend hours are required in this position.

This position is full time remote and can be based anywhere in the US, except for Alaska and Hawaii.

Job Level: Digital Editor III
Minimum salary: $72,000

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with editors and reporters to optimize the metadata and presentation of content for success on search platforms.
• Maintain USA TODAY’s competitive edge by monitoring SERP daily and helping the newsroom optimize content before and after content publishes.
• Ensure keyword diversity on published content.
• Provide one-on-one and group SEO and optimization training to newsroom staff.
• Edit stories and work with reporters on strategy related to newsroom’s long-term evergreen strategy.
• Proficiently use SEO tools to track keywords over time and provide actionable insights to content teams.
• Collaborate with newsroom SEO champions on best practices to share with content teams.
• Coordinate with analytics and content strategy teams to build reports to accurately track progress of certain keywords, topics and content.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working in newsroom setting on optimization of content, content planning workflow and SEO strategies.
• Ability to think and act tactically and strategically.
• Proficiency in AP style and grammar.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• A self-starter who is willing to brainstorm and execute on newsroom strategies.
• A strong willingness to try new things and learn from the results.
• Mastery of SEO and how people discover content on different search platforms, including voice.
• Experience with NewsDashboard, Conductor Searchlight or other SEO tools is a plus.
• Experience with Google Ads: Search (Google AdWords) or other search marketing tools is a plus.
• Employment is contingent on passing a post-offer pre-employment background check.

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 six online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve written, produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do.

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 $72,000.00 and $120,750.00. 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.

Gannett Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where Gannett employs employees. In addition, Gannett Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with Gannett Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact Gannett Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at Recruit@gannett.com.

Other details

• Job Family ZZEditors of Digital Platforms
• Job Function Content Production
• Pay Type Salary
• Required Education Equivalent Experience