Sr. Director, Content

Job Description

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are at the core of our mission to strengthen and empower the communities we serve.

Sr. Director, Content

Alabama Media Group (AMG), the winner of two Pulitzer Prizes and numerous national journalism awards in 2023, is one of the country’s most innovative and respected local news organizations. We are seeking to identify the next Sr. Director, Content for our newsroom.

The AMG digital newsroom produces:

• the state’s largest news source and one of the top 10 Comscore-ranked local news sites nationwide.
• The social video and photo brands and.
• The national social lifestyle brand.
• Three digital editions for subscribers in Birmingham, Huntsville, and the Mobile, AL coastal region.
• which focuses on issues that spotlight successes and failures of the state’s educational system.
• More than two dozen newsletters (news, sports, commentary), and podcasts.

The Sr. Director, Content reports to Hollis R. Towns, Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Content for Alabama Media Group, and is based in Birmingham, AL. The company embraces a ‘remote-first’ business culture. However, this position is based in the Birmingham area.

AMG maintains offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile and has reporters based in Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, and throughout the state.

Key Responsibilities for the Sr. Director, Content:

Our next newsroom leader will provide energetic editorial and managerial leadership to a talented, high-performing digital news and information operation that delivers breaking news and sports, that engage large local and regional audiences. ’s next Sr. Director, Content will:

• Develop a strong cadence of quick and thoughtful mid-level enterprise that spins off the daily news report or trends emerging from ongoing reporting.
• Use deep knowledge of data to lead a digital-only staff to continue uncovering and reporting the stories that impact Alabama and Alabamians, and stories that resonate across the state and region.
• Ensure that ’s staff continues to value experimentation, bold narratives, and best-in-class technologies to reach and connect with its audiences, utilizing current and emerging storytelling techniques to grow readership
• Lead a nimble and diverse local newsroom team. Manage and coach direct reports responsible for news, sports, statewide content and new initiatives.
• Support an inclusive, can-do culture and spirit that extends ’s reputation as an ‘employer of choice’ in attracting and retaining diverse top journalism talent.
• Interpret and use audience metrics to help inform coverage and approach.
• Assume responsibility for newsroom policies, practices, and performance, overseeing the daily report with robust short-term and long-term planning.
• Help set priorities with the Editor-in-chief for our staff and coverage areas.
• Help develop coverage plans to grow our digital audience.
• Partner with colleagues in the newsroom to define priorities for news coverage and subscriptions.
• Serve as editor when the Editor-in-chief is not present.
• Oversee important content initiatives.

The Sr. Director, Content should have:

• A versatile track record of excellence as a news journalist and team leader who demonstrates readiness for the scope and mission of this role.
• Well-honed editorial instincts and the ability to naturally command internal respect while adding top-level value in guiding major stories and special projects.
• Experience in producing information for digital, visual, and audio platforms.
• A track record in attracting, managing, and developing a diverse team.
• Comfortable at the head of a fast-paced digital newsroom that makes extensive use of digital content tools, content metrics, and social audience strategies.
• Thorough knowledge of First Amendment legal and FOIA issues and how they apply to the policies and practices of an influential statewide news operation.
• Experience living or working in the deep South, if possible.

Additional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Minimum of ten years in significant leadership roles in a newsroom with demonstrated success driving content.
• A track record editing stories for quality and impact in an inclusive environment that fosters collaboration and innovation.
• Strong news judgment and experience leading sensitive and complex news content as well as personnel issues.
• A passion for serving and helping others grow and develop.
• You have demonstrated the ability to manage and coordinate news in an environment of accountability effectively.
• This job requires reliable transportation to meet with sources or cover events.

We welcome applicants who are willing to relocate for this opportunity and we're open to relocation assistance.