West Coast Entertainment Breaking and Trending News Editor, USA TODAY

West Coast Entertainment Breaking and Trending News Editor, USA TODAY Job Description The West Coast Entertainment Breaking and Trending News Editor is responsible for identifying, editing and driving timely entertainment coverage with strong audience engagement potential. The role focuses on real-time and daily trending news, event staffing and coordination across Entertainment content areas, while upholding USA TODAY editorial standards and sourcing guidelines. We're looking for an editor who can react quickly to breaking news and won’t hesitate to jump in to write stories when needed. Responsibilities: Oversee and contribute to breaking and trending entertainment news, including high-traffic moments, live events and rapid-response coverage. Identify high-interest entertainment and pop culture stories ahead of competitors and, at times, jump in to write breaking and trending entertainment news. Abide by strong fact-checking and accuracy standards, with a solid command of AP Style. Strong news judgment and ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Evaluate West Coast press invites, recommend coverage strategies, and coordinate staffing for entertainment events (e.g., awards shows, media previews, celebrity appearances). Communicate staffing options and constraints with senior editors and photo and video leads. Work closely with senior editors and peer editors to manage coverage plans, shift schedules and handoffs, including coordination across time zones and during travel or remote work periods. Serve as a point of contact between Entertainment and related desks to flag relevant interviews, pitches, or coverage opportunities. Demonstrated passion for entertainment and pop culture, with prior digital news experience. Use AI tools responsibly to assist with research, trend analysis, transcription, and content packaging to improve efficiency and creativity. Requirements: Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. 5+ years experience in entertainment journalism, including editing. Experience covering news in a fast-paced environment. Strong competitive instincts and intellectual curiosity; core knowledge of the entertainment industry. Access to cable TV and streaming services. Proficiency in digital publishing, metrics and SEO best practices. Strong editorial judgment and storytelling skills. Experience working with CMS, SEO, and analytics tools. Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Network of industry contacts and sources. Enthusiasm to try new things in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Media and entertainment are changing daily, and we aim to meet the moment. The annualized base salary for this role will range between $73,000 and $114,063. Base compensation is reflective of many factors, including, but not limited to, the market in which one lives/works, individual education level, skills, certifications and experience. Note: variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and may be applicable based on the role. USA TODAY 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 USA TODAY Co. employs employees. In addition, USA TODAY 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 individual’s application for employment with USA TODAY Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact USA TODAY Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at Recruit@usatodayco.com. Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission. #J-18808-Ljbffr