Director of Digital Content and Engagement

Director of Digital Content and Engagement – WEHCO Media, Inc.

Location: Based in a WEHCO Media, Inc. market Reports to: VP of Content and Newsroom Strategy

Full-time, Exempt

Safety-Sensitive Position: Pursuant to Act 593 of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment

Working at WEHCO Media, Inc. is a unique opportunity in a challenged industry. The culture, commitment and fortitude just aren’t found together anywhere else. If you’re curious, motivated, want to be part of the team working to help shape the future of local news media, then this opportunity may be for you.

The experienced, collaborative, service-oriented leader chosen will share responsibility for the digital content and audience engagement strategy we develop and deploy across the WEHCO newspapers with the editors of each of our titles. The person in this role will also serve as a sounding board, advocate and liaison to the newsroom’s digital editors and champions.

This person will focus on elevating the storytelling skills and abilities of our news and content producers to better engage new and existing audiences; define and communicate organizational KPIs, audience metrics, and build value that leads to higher acquisition and retention of subscribers.

This person will report to the Vice President of Content and Newsroom Strategy. They will also work closely with the corporate digital consumer revenue team and newsroom leaders.

Job Responsibilities

• Stay on top of digital and audience trends and innovations in the industry
• Help develop company-wide newsroom/editorial training programs
• Monitor and report on digital performance across newsrooms and conduct company-wide monthly audience meetings. Monitor industry benchmarks and best practices to share across newsrooms.
• Find ways to share more content across markets and streamline processes and workflows
• Highlight and help implement successful newsroom experiments
• Represent the company at industry conferences, as well as on digital platforms and social media, to help with marketing the company to recruit new team members.
• Identify and help execute enhancements and changes to application and web experiences along with the rest of the digital consumer revenue team.
• Collaborate on the development of AI-driven newsroom tools by testing products, suggesting improvements and brainstorming innovative applications for reporting, editing and audience engagement.
• Focus on user experience and brand recognition across each touchpoint
• Collaborate with editors, developers, videographers, marketing and other departments to identify improvement opportunities for the user experience
• Collect feedback and analyze relevant data to inform our content teams how their work can increase the subscriber base
• Work with the newsroom to imagine and create unique experiences to supplement and present their journalism in new ways
• Create and maintain industry relationships with trade associations, news networks and vendors
• Participate in and seek out industry programs and other opportunities to further our mission and goals

Our success depends upon our ability to:

• Collaborate with leadership team, editors, development team and other stakeholders
• Improve our reach and reader experience and engagement across all of our mediums
• Continually increase the value of what we do for our subscribers

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: bachelor’s degree in discipline related to journalism or communication, such as design, five+ years of journalism or comparable professional experience. A background in related fields or positions will be considered, provided they demonstrate strong writing, editing or communication abilities. A candidate should also have experience in training newsroom staff and leaders in industry best practices. Experience developing AI products or applying AI-assisted tools for reporting, editing, or newsroom workflows is a plus.

Benefits

• Salary: $80,000 DOE + bonus opportunities
• Hybrid work model (based in Little Rock, AR; Fayetteville, AR; or Chattanooga, TN)
• 401K & profit sharing
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Paid holiday and floating holiday
• Paid personal day
• Paid parental leave
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life, disability, and accident insurance
• Critical illness and hospital indemnity coverage
• Employee assistance program
• Behavior program

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Applicants must pass a drug screening, undergo motor vehicle record checks, and complete a background check.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Little Rock, AR 72201