Job Description

California Newsletter Writer, Audience Specialist
The USA TODAY NETWORK is seeking an audience specialist with a passion for serving Californians' unique needs, habits, and passions to engage daily with readers, celebrating the state's unique people and places and elevating conversation around the most captivating news of the day. This reporter will focus on building and engaging with audiences, developing relationships with California readers, and cultivating loyal followers for our California coverage across all digital platforms.
This audience specialist will expand and engage with California's diverse communities by producing stories across platforms that highlight the state's unique voices and culture. They will write about California's innovation, creativity, spirit, traditions and perspectives, building an inclusive community inspired by the California experience.
In addition, this specialist will spearhead the development and launch of 10 regional newsletters to serve California residents in distinct places, from the Central Coast to the Sierra Nevada and from the Shasta Cascades to the southern desert communities.
Must be willing to relocate to the Los Angeles area.
Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute an audience-focused content strategy for California using analytics, audience feedback, and emerging trends to inform decisions and maximize engagement.
• Write and curate content with a strong, relatable voice and style, to connect with readers.
• Direct and supervise the production of 10 regional newsletters.
• Proactively build an audience for overall California coverage, encouraging sign-ups, retention, and active participation.
• Engage directly with readers through the regional newsletters, comments, live chats, community events, and social platforms--developing relationships, encouraging feedback, and responding to the interests of California audiences.
• Create compelling, relevant content (articles, videos, photos, and social posts) tailored to the interests and consumption habits of Californians and leverage those stories for promotion in the newsletter and across channels.
• Identify trending topics, emerging audience needs, and unique California angles that drive sign-ups, social media engagement, and repeat site visits.
• Foster loyalty by consistently delivering high-value stories and interactive experiences that keep readers coming back for more.
• Act as a public ambassador for our California journalism by strategically and organically engaging with audiences to deepen their connection to our coverage.
• Collaborate closely with editors and audience teams to evaluate what's working, iterate on strategies, and devise new ways to deepen engagement and grow newsletter and site readership.
• Continuously promote personal brand, colleagues' brands, and the institutional brand, amplifying our reach through digital content, newsletters, and social media.
• Deliver exceptional customer service by helping readers find answers, connect with resources, and participate in California's dynamic story.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum three years' experience in journalism, ideally with a strong track record in audience engagement, newsletter writing, and digital storytelling.
• Demonstrated expertise in understanding and serving diverse California audiences, with a pulse on regional trends, preferences, and cultural touchstones.
• Exceptional news judgment, communication, and headline-writing skills, with a flair for crafting stories and newsletters readers love to share and discuss.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy, adaptability, and a knack for sparking community conversations.
• High comfort level in fluid, fast-breaking, and deadline-driven environments.
• Advanced proficiency on social media platforms (including but not limited to YouTube, Reddit, Facebook, X, Threads and Instagram), with experience building and nurturing digital communities.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and thrive under pressure in a dynamic newsroom setting.
• Proven collaborative skills, working seamlessly with journalists, editors, and audience teams to enhance the value of every story and newsletter issue.
• Strong writing, editing, spelling, and grammar skills, with mastery of style and digital best practices.
• Solid grasp of media law, journalistic ethics, and audience-first principles.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• This position requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Application Instructions
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:
1. Your resume - one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
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.
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The annualized base salary for this role will range between $73,000 and $114,063. 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.

Skills Required