1. Welcome to SportsJournalists.com, a friendly forum for discussing all things sports and journalism.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register for a free account to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Access to private conversations with other members.
    • Fewer ads.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Sports director, Detroit Free Press

Discussion in 'Journalism Jobs' started by boundforboston, Aug 3, 2017.

  1. boundforboston

    boundforboston Well-Known Member

    The Detroit Free Press is looking to hire a Sports Director who will lead the creation of sharp, forward-thinking content for the Detroit Free Press in one of America's top sports markets. You'll focus on the Big Six: Lions, Pistons, Red Wings, Tigers, Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans -- while championing daily and in-depth coverage of other NCAA schools and Michigan's robust preps scene. The Sports Director will also represent the Detroit Free Press at branded events and in the community. Our sports news operation regularly leads the nation in high-quality coverage of Michigan's biggest teams, and we're looking for a leader who wants to keep us at the top. There is no ambition too big for this role.

    Job Duties:

    Develop and execute a cutting-edge digital plan to maximize the reach and reputation of Freep.com.
    Plan and oversee coverage of professional sports, NCAA sports and preps content.
    Guide reporters and columnists in reaching and engaging audiences through multimedia storytelling, smart search optimization and social media.
    Assume a leadership role in events and other opportunities to engage directly with customers.
    Identify and champion new content and products to better serve our audience.
    Encourage development of in-depth analysis, profiles and investigative enterprise sports stories that compete with any sports publication in America.
    Recognize trends before they become mainstream, and coach writers to highlight them on multiple platforms.
    Coordinate with other Michigan and Gannett papers, including USA TODAY, to generate and share unique, relevant sports content.
    Apply innovative, creative thinking to support the company’s goals.
    Work collaboratively within a cross-functional environment.
    Embrace peer-to-peer training, as a both a teacher and student.

    Knowledge and Skills:

    Ability to edit and lead top-notch digital, storytelling and watchdog journalism.
    Ability to build coalitions around evolving needs.
    Experience coaching journalists in improving platform-native content creation skills; such as podcasts, Facebook Live broadcasts and live chats.
    Effective communicator; able to get along with diverse personalities.
    Deep understanding of competition for our customers' time and attention.

    Understanding of analytics and how to use them to effectively coach journalists toward producing quality content.
    Sports and sports journalism industry knowledge -- including ideas for the Free Press to engage with audiences in new ways.
    Ability to multi-task and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
    Self-motivation and self-direction.
    Writing, spelling, grammar, AP and local style.
    Command of media law and Principles of Ethical Conduct.
    #Content

    Job opportunity at Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK - Sports Director
     
  2. Fran Curci

    Fran Curci Well-Known Member

    No comments?!
     
  3. steveu

    steveu Well-Known Member

    I'd go for it, but this is definitely a big-boi job way above my skill set (or is it? lol)

    Serious question... what happened to Kevin Bull?
     
  4. playthrough

    playthrough Moderator Staff Member

    Ability to build coalitions around evolving needs ... huh?
     
  5. Fran Curci

    Fran Curci Well-Known Member

    Seriously, could you ever find anyone with ALL of those skills? And who is a real editor?
     
  6. SnarkShark

    SnarkShark Well-Known Member

    You're obviously not management material.
     
    GCS Sports and Ice9 like this.
  7. Baron Scicluna

    Baron Scicluna Well-Known Member

    Yeah, you have to keep rallying your troops to do more with less around the ever evolving needs of shrinking Local Information Center Newsrooms of the Future.
     
  8. jr/shotglass

    jr/shotglass Well-Known Member

    More than I ever would have wanted to take on, even in my most gung-ho journalism days.
     
  9. dm19

    dm19 Member

    Gotta love the "#content". /s
     
  10. Fran Curci

    Fran Curci Well-Known Member

    I see that the paper just got a new executive editor after a search of a couple of months. Did anything happen with this sports director job in the interim?
     
  11. dirtybird

    dirtybird Well-Known Member

    "Ability to get older staff on the same page as the younger ones as to how employer would like the job done"
     
  12. Dog8Cats

    Dog8Cats Well-Known Member

    The new executive editor loves him his sports. From preps to pros, he digs it.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page