Job Description
Title: Audience Growth Editor, Austin American-Statesman
Join a best-in-class newsroom covering one of the most dynamic cities in the country. The Audience Growth Editor will own strategy and execution around growing visits to Statesman.com. They will work hand-in-hand with editors and reporters on content and projects that serve and interest a large reader pool. We are looking for a thinker and doer.
What will you do?
- Analyze site traffic, reader behavior and industry trends to make content recommendations to newsroom editors that will move the needle.
- Own strategy and daily planning for channels with the largest audience reach: Search and social.
- Owns headline sharpness and core-newsroom digital workflows, training and tactics to equal better search and social pickups.
- Use SEO best practices to help stories rank in search engines (Google News, organic search, Discover).
- Coordinate execution and promotion of highly sharable journalism, such as off-platform video.
- Make real-time recommendations in breaking news situations that help our coverage reach the largest possible audience.
What will it take to be successful?
- At least four years of professional journalism experience.
- Audience and editing background, likely with a focus on search or social.
- Strong journalistic writing and skills, including story structure and AP style. Ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
- Strong understanding of digital publishing tools, CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, TrueAnthem, Google Trends. SEM Rush, etc.), and multimedia integration.
- Highly organized and strong time management – able to juggle multiple priorities at once.
- Solid grasp of audience trend data and ability to use that information to drive content decisions.
About The Austin American-Statesman:
The Austin American-Statesman has been the leading source of news and information for Central Texas since 1871, serving a dynamic and fast-growing region anchored by the capital city of Texas. Austin is known for its vibrant tech industry, rich cultural heritage, influential government institutions and creative spirit.
The Statesman's award-winning journalists provide in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to Austinites — from local government and business to education, the environment and Austin’s ever-evolving music and cultural scenes. With a strong focus on accountability journalism and investigative reporting, the Statesman plays a critical role in informing and engaging its community.
About Hearst Newspapers:
With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the Austin American-Statesman, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.
At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories – growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms – to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.
Be a part of something bigger – Your Headline Awaits.