Media Innovator-in-Residence

OU Student Media is hiring a working professional as a parttime, occasional Media InnovatorinResidence to serve typically for a onesemester term, and no more than one consecutive fallspring term. Applicants should have proven success in leadingedge journalism and a commitment to mentoring future media professionals.

We will recruit broadly among the top working professionals in the Oklahoma City area and our alumni networks whose employers offer remote work options. The successful candidate will develop and implement a vision for leveraging their expertise to elevate The OU Daily’s operations while fostering career readiness and professional growth among students. They may also propose alignments with Gaylord College, such as a class (for those with a master’s) or workshop (for those without a master’s) on which they’re a topic expert, which could bring added compensation opportunities if approved by the college.

Candidates are required to be in the newsroom at least 810 hours a week for the duration of their 15week appointment (with spring break, Thanksgiving break, dead/finals weeks off). The Student Media newsroom may serve as a coworking space with prior approval from the candidate’s employer, where applicable. For nonlocal candidates whose employers permit remote work arrangements, Student Media will inquire about — but cannot guarantee — potential temporary oncampus accommodations.

Position Responsibilities:

The Media InnovatorinResidence assumes no direct responsibility for editorial content and does not supervise any student staff members. Instead, the Innovatorin

• Residence is charged with safeguarding students’ editorial independence by mentoring student journalists to:
• Achieve the highest standards of professional excellence, audience engagement, and journalism ethics.
• Avoid mistakes that could damage their credibility or audiences' trust in Student Media publications.

The InnovatorinResidence will:

• Attend student staff meetings to help editors identify coverage opportunities, plan strategies, and navigate ethical issues.
Ensure all work remains studentproduced while offering guidance to strengthen decision
• making.
• Provide broad critiques of content after publication, emphasizing lessons learned and opportunities for improvement.

Additional Responsibilities Include:

Offering prepublication advising help and topline post

• publication feedback.
• Conducting short courses or workshops for Daily staff on areas of expertise.
• Collaborating with professional staff and student leaders to set semester and annual goals and monitor performance through assessments.
• Building professional connections to foster training and career development for students.
Presenting endof
• term takeaways and recommendations to student leaders and professional staff.

Oversight and Support:

The Director of Student Media will provide oversight and support for this role and will serve as the newsroom adviser when the Media Innovatorin

• Residence position is off during designated class breaks.

Required Attachments:

• A letter of interest.
• A resume.
• A detailed course/workshop/ongoing training proposal.
• Links to professional work.
• Three professional references.

Targeted hourly rate, varies based on experience/credentials:

• Candidates with less than 10 years of managerial experience will be considered at $50/hour.
Candidates with 10
• 20 years of managerial experience will be considered at $66.70/hour.
• Candidates exceeding 20 years of managerial experience with accredited leadership credentials will be considered at $83.33/hour.

Job Requirements

Required Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree, AND:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a professional media environment.

Duties:

• Expertise in multiplatform, multimedia news gathering and presentation.
• Experience using the social web to engage audiences in media content.
• Understanding of digital audience analytics and experience using them to set and reach goals.
• Experience in coaching and motivating a team.

Working conditions:

Available 8

• 10 hours per week in person, with additional Slack office hours and availability during breaking news situations.

Departmental Preferences:

• Bachelor's in journalism or a specific coverage field.
• 10+ years of experience in a professional media environment.
• Experience as a media manager.
• Experience teaching university courses.
• A deep network of media industry contacts.

Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy. To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/PoliciesHandbooks/TBTesting.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma values our community's unique talents, perspectives, and experiences. At OU, we aspire to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere. You Belong Here!

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.

Hiring contingent upon a Background Check?: Yes

Special Indications: None

Job Posting: Mar 18, 2026