Messaging Content Strategy Analyst

About USA TODAY Co., Inc.

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level, dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth-focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK (comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations across the United States) and Newsquest (a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom), we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions.

USA TODAY Co. open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position, you should complete an application on USA TODAY Co. 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.usatodayco.com.

Messaging Content Strategy Analyst at USA TODAY Co.

USA TODAY Co. is seeking a high-energy, audience-focused Messaging Content Strategy Analyst with required journalism experience. This role involves monitoring and advising on the performance and innovation of USA TODAY Co.’s messaging portfolio, primarily focusing on email newsletters while also advising on SMS and other messaging platforms.

The ideal candidate is passionate about preserving the future of local news through innovative storytelling and engagement experiences. This position is perfect for someone constantly monitoring the latest trends in social media, messaging, and emerging platforms, and who loves to experiment and innovate.

Beyond leading our email newsletter and SMS strategies, this role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on newsrooms nationwide by coaching journalists on how to best build trust with their audience through messaging platforms. You will be expected to be an expert on trends in the creator space outside of the news industry, translating those tactics into strategies for our newsrooms.

As a key member of our dynamic Content Strategy/Analytics team, you will utilize your expertise in data analytics, reporting tools, and platform insights alongside your messaging expertise to enhance audience growth and engagement, revenue generation, and digital subscription growth for USA TODAY and local USA TODAY Network news sites. Help us ensure the future of journalism is strong and that our newsrooms continue to evolve to meet the needs of a growing digital audience, especially on key platforms that can drive a personal connection between our newsrooms and their communities.

This position is remote and can be based anywhere in the US, except for Alaska and Hawaii. If you live near one of our local newsrooms, you may have the option to use that as a base of operations.

Responsibilities

• Work with USA TODAY Network leaders to assess the USA TODAY Co. editorial newsletter and messaging portfolio, including monitoring strategy, performance, developing journeys, and driving innovation.
• Translate data points into actionable insights with a deep understanding of data tools and an analytical mindset applied to content. This is a hands-on data job.
• Create and monitor reporting and KPI progress, including metrics for loyalty and engagement, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and relevance.
• Develop and manage relevant reporting for new newsletter and messaging experiments and initiatives.
• Partner across divisions to improve revenue and consumer retention through the newsletter and messaging experience.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze audience and revenue data (consumer, advertising/affiliate), identify trends, and provide timely recommendations for informed business decisions.
• Host trainings on best practices, data-informed decision making, and use of analytics tools.
• Coach newsroom partners on best practices for key platforms, including language and tone, style, time of sends, and promotion strategies.
• Perform Analytics QA for new product deployments and troubleshooting.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience as a digital leader in a news operation, with prior experience in a digital, print, or television news operation required. Journalism experience is mandatory.
• 7+ years of journalism digital or leadership experience and understanding of the modern digital media landscape.
• 3-5 years of experience in analytics, with a preference for content analytics.
• A proven passion for and experience with storytelling via messaging platforms, with expertise in email newsletters (both paid and free products).
• Experience curating newsletters, developing strategies that build newsletter audiences, and driving innovation in the messaging/newsletter space.
• Passion for helping news organizations distribute indispensable journalism and building trusted relationships with readers.
• Aptitude for and experience validating, collecting, and interpreting data.
• Proactive leader who can manage their time and prioritize tasks independently.

Technical Skill Requirements

• Facility with AI and automation and experience using it to enhance journalism.
• Experience using and building reports with Google Analytics and Parse.ly or similar tools.
• Advanced skill in Microsoft Excel, including creating pivot tables from complex datasets and understanding basic Excel formulas.
• Big Query, SQL, Tableau, Google Ad Manager, and other analytic and data tools are a bonus, as is experience with using AI to analyze data.
• Expertise in Salesforce/Exact Target is required.
• Experience with platform-specific data tools such as Substack, Subtext, Meta, TikTok, and other platform tools is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with news products and journalism and understanding of media analytics and ethics.

Application Instructions

We understand not every applicant will have this specific combination of skills and experience. If this job sounds exciting to you and you have ideas that can contribute to our vision, please consider applying. 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: A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job, your resume (one to two pages), and an example or two of a project or strategy that you’re proud of and had a key hand in leading (please include a brief description of the work, your role, and any relevant results). 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.

Compensation & Equal Opportunity

The annualized base salary for this role will range between $79,200 and $162,000. Base compensation is reflective of many factors, including, but not limited to, the market in which one lives/works, individual education level, skills, certifications, and experience. Note: variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable.

USA TODAY 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 USA TODAY Co. employs employees. In addition, USA TODAY 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 USA TODAY Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact USA TODAY Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at Recruit@usatodayco.com. Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.

Key skills/competency

• Content Strategy
• Email Marketing
• SMS Messaging
• Audience Engagement
• Data Analytics
• Journalism Experience
• Newsletter Curation
• KPI Reporting
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Digital Media Trends