Senior Audience Producer
Hearst · Norwalk · $56,000–$66,000 (stated in the posting)
Role Overview
Hearst Connecticut Media Group is looking for an innovative, collaborative Senior Audience Producer to help guide ambitious journalism through audience insights, thoughtful optimization and responsible use of AI. Working alongside editors and reporters, this role will help drive engagement, subscriptions and return visits across CT Insider’s digital platforms, newsletters, social media, audio and print.
This is a digital newsroom audience role - not a television or live-news producing position. We are looking for a journalist who understands digital audiences, analytics, content optimization and audience strategy, and who can work closely with reporters and editors to help journalism reach and resonate with more readers.
Senior Audience Producers will embed with key newsroom topic teams, which may include data, state politics, investigations, education, business, real estate, high school sports and UConn sports. This is an opportunity to innovate, experiment and help strengthen the reach and impact of journalism that matters to Connecticut communities.
Hybrid: This hybrid role is based in Norwalk, Connecticut and requires working in the office 3 days per week. It is not eligible for remote candidates.
What You’ll Do
- Collaborate with editors, reporters, photographers and audience team members to ensure journalism engages, retains and converts local readers into subscribers.
- Analyze and interpret audience metrics, translating insights into clear recommendations that inform short- and long-term coverage decisions.
- Optimize journalism across websites, social media, newsletters and search to expand reach and deepen audience engagement.
- Use topic-area knowledge and audience insights to identify story opportunities and develop recurring content series and annual special projects.
- Guide responsible and relevant use of AI and other emerging tools to improve newsroom workflows and audience outcomes.
- Communicate across departments during breaking and planned news events to alert audiences to key developments across platforms.
- Support topic teams in planning and executing audience strategies that encourage return visits and subscriber growth.
- Lead or contribute to livestreams and podcasts that engage and retain audiences, where applicable.
What You’ll Bring
Required Qualifications
- Strong editorial judgment and experience working in a deadline-driven digital news or journalism environment.
- Demonstrated understanding of digital audience development, engagement and content optimization.
- Ability to optimize stories for websites, social media, newsletters and search.
- Strong comfort with analyzing and interpreting metrics and communicating what the data means.
- Experience editing short- and mid-form video, photos and audio using tools such as Canva, Photoshop or Premiere.
- Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
- A quick, organized and technically capable problem solver who consistently meets deadlines.
- Strong organizational and detail-oriented skills, with the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
- Flexibility to work nights and weekends for breaking news and special content opportunities.
- Collaborative approach and curiosity about audience behavior, journalism and emerging technology.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of topic area in sports.
- Experience planning and running livestreams and podcasts that engage and retain viewers.
- Experience using analytics to shape editorial strategy and coverage decisions.
- Experience developing strategic plans or audience-focused digital initiatives.
Please note: This role is not a television producer, live-news producer or broadcast production position. Candidates whose experience is primarily focused on producing television newscasts, live broadcasts or broadcast control-room operations are not the target profile for this position.
Additional Information
- Sponsorship: This position does not provide immigration sponsorship. Applicants must have the right to work in the U.S. without immigration sponsorship.
- Accommodations: We are committed to an accessible application process. If you need an accommodation to apply, please contact hnpemployment@hearst.com. This email address is for accommodation requests only.
Benefits
We support our employees through personal and professional development and promote physical, financial and emotional wellbeing for employees and their families. Our benefits include:
- Physical Wellbeing: Medical, dental and vision coverage to help keep you and your family healthy.
- Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with a matching program in most markets, plus tuition assistance.
- Generous Paid Time Off: Ample time off, including holidays and vacation.
- Paid Parental Leave: Paid leave to support growing families and new parents.
- Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones.
- Emotional Wellbeing: Mental wellness benefits to support your emotional wellbeing.
- LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for individual needs.
- Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Support throughout different stages of your health and family journey.
- Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: Support to help keep your pets happy and healthy.
- Charitable Giving: Company matching for charitable donations.
- And more: Learn more about additional benefits and details here.
Compensation
The base salary range below is the Company's good-faith estimate for this position in the posted work location at the time of posting. Final starting salary will be based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills, experience, training, certifications, education, location and market considerations.