Job Summary
The Sports Editor is the driving force behind the newspaper’s sports coverage, leading a transformation away from traditional game recaps toward features, profiles, and magazine-style storytelling. This position is responsible for setting the vision of sports reporting in a county with seven school districts, a thriving high school sports scene, and a strong recreational and outdoor sports culture including mountain biking, pickleball, hunting, and fishing. The Sports Editor will serve as the public face of the newspaper’s sports coverage, writing a weekly column, managing one sports reporter and two freelance writers, and collaborating closely with the newsroom’s videographers and photographers to produce compelling multimedia content. This position reports directly to the Editor of the newspaper.

Duties

Sports Coverage Leadership:
Develop and implement a new vision for sports coverage with an emphasis on features, profiles, enterprise reporting, and multimedia storytelling.

Staff Management:

Manage one full-time sports reporter and coordinate with two freelance writers.
Mentor and support staff to strengthen storytelling and multimedia collaboration.

Multimedia Collaboration:

Work closely with the newsroom’s two videographers to produce videos, photo galleries, and other multimedia elements that enhance sports coverage.
Ensure accuracy and quality of all multimedia sports elements in collaboration with visual staff.

Daily Operations:

Compile daily sports budgets and proof daily sports pages for accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
Collaborate with newsroom leadership to plan long-term sports features and special sections.

Adherence to Deadlines:

Ensure all stories and multimedia elements are completed and published on schedule.

Error Checking & Quality Control:

Review all sports stories and pages for accuracy, clarity, and compliance with AP Style.
Write a weekly sports column highlighting trends, personalities, and community connections.
Represent the newspaper as the primary voice of local sports coverage at events and in the community.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years as a sports reporter with demonstrated feature-writing skills.

Skills & Competencies:

Strong understanding of Associated Press (AP) Style and editorial standards.
Excellent storytelling, editing, and organizational skills.
Experience with multimedia journalism, especially video and photo storytelling.
Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.
Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
Ambition to grow into senior newsroom leadership roles over time.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $35,000.00 - $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

Journalism: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

Hot Springs, AR 71910: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

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Sports Editor

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