Digital Strategist

Hearst•Des Moines, IA

5h•$80,000 - $85,000

About The Position

Hearst Television is looking for a talented digital journalist with an eye for analytics and how to use data to drive editorial decisions and strategy. The role of Digital Strategist works closely with the editorial teams at our owned and operated TV stations across the U.S. to develop strategies for big coverage that involve social media, SEO, AI and our own digital platforms. The ideal candidate should be a news junkie who is obsessed with social media in all its forms, should have an eye for video with viral potential and should know how to use analytics to drive traffic and engagement across multiple platforms. They should also be a teacher and coach who can help train people with varying levels of digital expertise. This person should be looking at the big picture, but also be able to roll up their sleeves and support HTV stations when big news stories are happening as part of our digital jump team, and support our National Desk, Get the Facts Data Team, Consumer and video creation teams when needed. The strategist should also have a healthy curiosity when it comes to systems involving AI and machine learning, with a demonstrated past of using these tools to build workflows and efficiencies to support Journalists. The Digital Strategist reports to the Senior Director of Digital Content and Strategy, and works with a team of strategists to prioritize and set short- and long-term goals for Hearst TV, and to work with our teams on execution. This position can be located at any of Hearst’s TV stations.

Requirements

Must be familiar with digital publishing and working in various content management systems.
Must have a deep knowledge of YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and other emerging social platforms, including posting and content strategies, troubleshooting bugs and being able to work with the platforms on audience growth, monetization, moderation and account administration.
Strong knowledge of SEO best practices and how to implement them.
Must understand analytics – Google Analytics, Parse.ly, Social News Desk, among others – and how to use the information to build and implement content and strategy plans.
Knowledgeable about best practices around push notifications and using data to inform strategy.
Ability to coach journalists at varying levels of digital competence.
Must be a champion of AI systems and workflows, with expertise around ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude.
Demonstrated history of innovation in content presentation and execution.
Must be able to write and produce written and video content; guide digital staff on improving both in their markets.
Familiarity with use of third-party content and UGC in content presentation.
Must have 3 years of experience working in an editorial role at a digital news operation.
Must be able to work after-hours/weekends based on need.
Must be able to travel as assigned for training, editorial support.
Must be able to create videos and custom images using Adobe Premiere and Photoshop.
Must have strong presentation skills.
Must have strong organizational and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with ecommerce is a plus.
Experience with data journalism is a plus.
Experience with python and automation orchestration tools like N8N is a plus.

Responsibilities

Maintain relationships with digital and management teams at assigned TV stations.
Provide regular feedback, strategy suggestions to assigned TV stations.
Lead various projects related to content, video production, social media, search, ecommerce and participate on projects led by other team members.