Sports Editor

Overview
The New Albany Gazette is seeking an energetic, community-focused Local Sports Editor to succeed our retiring veteran sports editor. This full-time position will lead the coverage of high school, youth, and community sports across Union County. The ideal candidate combines a passion for local sports with strong reporting, writing, editing, and digital storytelling skills and a commitment to delivering timely, engaging content that serves our readers in print and online.

Job Summary
The Local Sports Editor will plan, coordinate, and produce comprehensive sports coverage for the New Albany Gazette. Responsibilities include but are not limited to photography, generating in-depth game coverage, features, and previews, incorporating social media and ensuring accurate, fair, and compelling coverage that highlights the community’s athletic achievements and narratives.

Key Responsibilities

Manage sports coverage, plan and organize the most efficient use of stringers to help cover games, including assignment planning and quality control of all sports content.

Cover high school sports (e.g., football, basketball, baseball, softball, track and field, etc.) and local youth leagues; attend games, practices, and relevant events.

Write and edit news stories, game summaries, feature profiles, coaches’ columns, and stat‑focused reports.

Plan and coordinate weekly sports sections, feature pieces, and special sections (season previews, postseason wrap‑ups, awards).

Develop enterprise stories and human-interest features on athletes, programs, and community sports organizations.

Manage and grow digital coverage: timely updates to the website, social media posts, photo galleries, video highlights, and live‑tweeting during events.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English, or related field; equivalent newsroom experience considered.

Minimum 2 years of sports reporting/editing experience; university experience acceptable.

Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills with a strong command of grammar and style.

Ability to meet deadlines.

Demonstrated ability to cover a variety of sports, including high school athletics, with knowledge of statistics and game mechanics.

Basic photo editing and multimedia skills.

Strong organizational skills: ability to juggle multiple assignments and priorities.

Valid driver’s license, insurance and reliable transportation.

Work Environment and Schedule

This is a full‑time, on‑site position based in New Albany, MS.

Schedule includes weekday, weekend, and event‑based coverage as needed; some evenings and holiday coverage may be required during sports seasons.

Occasional travel within Union County and for state events.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Benefits program including health, dental, vision, 401(k) or equivalent, vacation, and leave.

The incoming editor will have access to the retiring sports editor to preserve institutional knowledge, established community relationships.

To Apply
Application Instructions: Submit a resume and minimum 3 samples of sports writing or portfolio links.

Email: william.bronson@journalinc.com

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