Content Strategist, SEO

Hearst • Houston, TX

300d

About The Position

The Houston Chronicle is seeking a Content Strategist to support the growth of non-subscriber traffic through search. This strategist will collaborate with teams like breaking news, weather, and sports to optimize content for maximum reach and engagement. This role focuses on implementing strategies to attract and engage new audiences, particularly those who discover the Chronicle through search and social.

Requirements

• Has 2-4 years of experience in content strategy, audience growth, or digital media, with knowledge of SEO best practices.
• Is comfortable using audience analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Chartbeat, Parse.ly) to assess performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Has experience using Semrush, Google Trends, and Google Keyword Planner to identify content trends, monitor performance on search and adjust strategies.
• Has strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with newsroom teams and provide actionable insights.
• Is detail-oriented and proactive, eager to learn and adapt in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
• Demonstrates an interest in audience engagement and a desire to grow skills in search and social optimization.
• Has a strong work ethic, a collaborative mindset, and a willingness to take direction while contributing ideas.

Responsibilities

• Assist in optimizing content for search engines by conducting keyword research, recommending headlines, and ensuring metadata aligns with SEO best practices.
• Owns and optimizes the strategy for evergreen content, ensuring high-value stories continue to drive traffic, remain updated, and meet audience demand over time.
• Work with newsroom teams to identify opportunities for stories that will perform well on search and social platforms, based on audience data and trends.
• Track non-subscriber traffic performance using analytics tools like Google Analytics, Parse.ly, or Chartbeat, and provide insights to help refine strategies.
• Support newsroom staff with training and resources on search and social best practices, ensuring reporters and editors stay current on platform changes.
• Monitor search and social trends to identify topics or coverage areas that align with audience interests and newsroom priorities. Work with editors and reporters to get content assigned, optimized and published.
• Assist breaking news and other teams in adjusting content strategies in response to developing trends or breaking stories.
• Partner with the social team to develop engaging posts that attract and retain readers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit.
• Work closely with the audience team and other newsroom teams to execute initiatives that grow non-subscriber traffic.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Publishing Industries