Weekend Engagement Editor (Newsperson)

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiasednews in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.

The Associated Press is seeking a talented journalist to focus on audiences and engagement for the organization's digital platforms as an engagement editor. This is the perfect role for a journalist with curiosity, drive and creativity; someone who has a rich understanding of how news travels on site, social, search, newsletters and other platforms. You will join our team of engagement editors, both within the United States and abroad, who follow the sun and meet audiences when they are most active in their time zones. This is a staff position covered by AP's agreement with the News Media Guild.

Responsibilities: Reporting to the Digital News team's weekends news editor, you will support the planning and promotion of our weekend coverage while also working with the Digital team on various curation and engagement responsibilities during the week. You could be the lead homepage curator for those shifts, or you could be the editor who's ensuring our stories are optimized for search, or you could be responsible for push alerts and social posts. In every case, your primary responsibility will be to ensure that we are selecting, curating and promoting the best content that AP has to offer - be it text, photo, video, audio or interactives. You will also help develop digital-first story ideas for AP reporting teams to work on.

This is a Thursday-Monday role. You can be based anywhere in the United States. However, if you are in a location with an AP office and work regular business hours, you are required to work in-office if you are scheduled on any Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Preferred Qualifications: We're looking for a digital native who has strong news judgment, a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of how to target and serve online audiences that come - and are guided to - AP's digital platforms.

The successful candidate is someone who knows how to make a good headline great; who has their finger on the pulse of the social conversation; who can make data-informed news decisions; and who can collaborate with - and complement - the expertise of AP journalists around the world. You should be someone who can thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. You can skillfully multi-task - and you also relish it. Knowledge of sports is a plus, since this editor will promote a lot of sports content on the weekends.

We're looking for journalists who:

• understand how to monitor and interpret metrics to serve and grow AP's diverse global audiences.
• can quickly become conversant with every aspect of AP's all formats news report.
• have strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams of journalists and designers at the AP who operate in all formats: text, photo, video, audio, digital/social, interactive and graphics.
• pursue innovative and inclusive techniques while maintaining AP's standards for integrity and objectivity.
• have the ability and willingness to work at night and on weekends, as AP is a 24/7 operation.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, such as work as an editor, reporter or social media producer at a daily or campus newspaper, broadcast station, online or digital news outlet or AP bureau.
• All applicants must be able to work in the U.S. or be able to gain permission to do so.
• Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English. Professional competency in a language besides English is a plus.

We will consider strong candidates who do not meet every listed qualification. You may use a cover letter to describe the unique qualifications you would bring to this role.

This position is covered by The Associated Press' contract with the News Media Guild, which provides for an annual salary for Class A staff of between $52,046 and $82,934 based on location and years of professional experience. AP may offer additional compensation based on a job candidate's skills, qualifications and market location.

The Associated Press offers comprehensive benefits which include:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement benefits
• Company paid life insurance
• Paid vacation and sick days
• Paid parental leave for any new parent
• Mental health resources

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

Application deadline is January 20, 2025 at 11:59PM EST.

AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a veteran, or other characteristic protected by law. We encourage members of historically underrepresented communities, including women and people of color, to apply.