Digital Editor - Sports

The Gazette, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, seeks a versatile and highly motivated digital sports editor. This position is responsible for the shooting, editing, packaging, publishing and maintaining sports content for the state’s second-largest newspaper, emphasizing Eastern Iowa. The position also involves actively participating in and engaging the local sports community. This person is also responsible for regularly shooting and editing videos for use online and producing several podcasts. You’ll occasionally work on the print product but must understand our future lies in growing our digital presence. 

• You should be comfortable editing and curating/enriching content from a variety of sources: blogs, wire services, freelancers, community contributors, etc. You should be ready to occasionally jump in and do original reporting yourself. 

Our ideal candidate is comfortable using metrics tools, such as Google Analytics, to assist in decision making. You also understand sports, both on and off the field. You help coach the team to develop ideas that go beyond games and profiles into the business and cultural side of sports and fandom. The ideal candidate is regularly thinking of how to execute new ideas online which grow our brands and promote digital interaction. 

This is a fast-paced position in a newsroom that thinks big. Our sports team regularly covers Big Ten and Big 12 NCAA sports , a robust high school sports scene, and a variety of other topics including auto racing and outdoors. Our sports team goes far beyond game coverage. The sports team hosts an array of podcasts, curated newsletters and continues to expand our digital footprint.  

As many sporting events happen on nights and weekends, you should expect to work a schedule that includes nights and weekends. You also need to be able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, be comfortable working as part of a team and work well under tight deadlines.  

Our organization: 

Our news operation produces digital and print content. Our company has a strong tradition of independence and is employee-owned. While we’re focused in Cedar Rapids -- Iowa’s second-largest city – we routinely cover events across Iowa and the Big Ten landscape. The region is rich with things to do outside of work hours. 

Qualifications & Requirements: 

The ideal candidate will be a flexible, self-motivated, creative go-getter and problem solver who works well on a team and has excellent communication and team-building skills. Candidate must be highly organized, a confident decision maker and committed to ongoing improvement and coaching. Candidate also must have strong writing and editing skills and sound news judgment.

Candidate must be attentive to detail and have a passion for innovating and strong understanding of digital storytelling and social media skills and its applications. Candidate needs basic knowledge of HTML, working knowledge of online audiences and engagement strategies, and proficiency with Photoshop, Canva and podcasting software like Captivate. 

• A bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or related course of study is required and 2-4 years of experience as a digital editor, multimedia producer or content strategist is desired.
• Candidate must demonstrate the ability to work quickly and accurately and must have ideas on how to present news in an ever-changing media landscape.
• Understanding of Web concepts and ability to regularly engage the audience is required.
• Proficiency with video and audio editing is required.   

Pre-employment background, motor vehicle record and drug screen required.

Salary & Benefits

• Employees at The Gazette receive competitive benefits including health, dental, 401k match and a comprehensive wellness program.  
• 100% Employee owned.

EOE