Application Instructions

Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.

Job Description

The Washington Post is hiring a director of optimization and news product to lead more than a dozen journalists and product editors responsible for optimizing the daily news report and the tools we use to publish and organize it. This director will provide strategic vision and oversight to two critical and growing newsroom teams: SEO and News Product.

The SEO team is responsible for identifying content targets, forecasting trends and optimizing articles for search and recirculation. The director will work with the SEO assignment editor to identify short-term and long-term opportunities to consistently drive new audience and retain visitors to our site and app. They will be responsible for articulating best practices and facilitating regular newsroom education around search and optimization, as well as working with journalists to amplify storytelling in smart ways that attract and engage the next generation of subscribers. They will also work with the SEO team to develop and apply distinct SEO strategies for breaking news and evergreen content for global audiences.

The News Product team is responsible for partnering with the company's product and engineering teams to develop and strengthen the content management systems and planning tools on which Post journalists rely. The director will partner with fellow newsroom and product leaders to develop a strategic roadmap for our publishing tools. They also manage some vendor relationships such as Trint and Tansa. This person will work closely with product managers to prioritize newsroom needs; identify efficiencies and solutions; and advance core editorial platforms and products, including our homepage and section fronts, taxonomy and tagging systems, and content management tools.

Top candidates will be communicative and organized; they will have strong news judgement and a record of successful audience development. We want a strategic thinker and motivated problem solver who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. This role requires tremendous coordination with newsroom leadership, assignment editors and product managers, so a collaborative spirit is critical.

Candidates should be well-versed in analytics tools including but not limited to Chartbeat, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, CrowdTangle and Dataminr; the ability to understand and act upon metrics when appropriate is imperative. At least two years of management experience and six years journalism experience required. Proficiency with SEO is preferred. Product management experience is a plus.

This position is based in our Washington newsroom.

Candidates should upload a résumé and cover letter outlining your leadership experience in the news product and/or SEO space to our jobs portal. All application materials can be uploaded to the same field. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by 06/12/2022 will be prioritized. Address the cover letter to Head of Curation and Platforms Coleen O'Lear and Chief Product Officer and Managing Editor Kat Downs Mulder.

The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed.

Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that's right for you

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