Breaking & Trending Sports Reporter

  • Gannett Co
  • Columbus, Ohio
  • Full Time

|Current Gannett Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through MyApps|

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a scalable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve. Our current portfolio of trusted media brands includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, uses innovation and software to enable small and medium-sized businesses to grow, and USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, our events division, creates impactful consumer engagements, promotions, and races. Gannett open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at Gannett, you should be completing an application on Gannett Careers via Dayforce . Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com

The Columbus Dispatch is seeking a digital-first breaking and trending sports reporter to be part of our sports team, finding and reporting on the top news of the day, especially Ohio State University sports and recruiting.

The breaking and trending reporter will seek out stories that will resonate with our audiences using the latest in trends, metrics and social tools. This person should be able to write in a variety of styles, especially conversational, and deliver sharp headlines. A great breaking and trending reporter can report on a variety of topics and has an insatiable curiosity. The position demands initiative, accuracy, urgency and strong news judgment. Quick writing and reporting skills are crucial. This person can juggle stories while staying focused on the digital details of story production: headlines, SEO, multimedia assets and other points of optimization. This reporter will chase spot news, business, and entertainment stories, as well as features about topics already trending online or based on online conversations.

The Columbus Dispatch is one of the largest newsrooms in the USA TODAY Network located in Ohio’s rapidly growing capital city. We’re home to a vibrant local sports scene with Division I college sports, and NHL team, 3-time MLS Cup Champions and robust high school sports.

Responsibilities:

  • Report quickly, clearly and accurately.
  • Use metrics to inform story choices and shape strategies. This includes being adept at SEO.
  • Identify top trending stories of the day, based on analytics and audience potential, specific to attracting search and social audiences.
  • Work with editors to experiment with new ways of informing and engaging audiences on social platforms and alternate story forms. This includes experimenting with long-tail (evergreen) content.
  • Monitor real-time news and sniff out the most important and fascinating stories important to our audiences.
  • Demonstrate fast news judgment on an ongoing basis.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor's in communications, journalism or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Two or more years of journalism experience.
  • Experience using social media accounts to identify stories is a plus.
  • Ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
  • Understanding of reporting ethics and sourcing.
  • Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment, post-offer background check.
  • This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

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.
3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

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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Gannett Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where Gannett employs employees. In addition, Gannett Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with Gannett Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact Gannett Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at ....
Job ID: 484353751
Originally Posted on: 7/7/2025

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