Sports editor

Posted Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 5:00 AM

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The Peoria Journal Star / is seeking a journalist to lead the sports desk that covers high school sports in central Illinois, Bradley University basketball, and other sports items of local interest.

The ideal candidate will work with our experienced sports writers, accentuating their work with deft editing, headline writing and SEO knowledge. The editor will be the lead for the sports department on our print and digital platforms, coordinating with an award‑winning photographer to ensure we are at events to get memorable visuals for routine stories and championship events.

• Respond to a robust local sports community.
• Assign and edit stories for collegiate, high school, recreational and minor league sports.
• Occasionally, coordinate coverage for multiple sites.
• Establish and maintain ongoing lines of communication among sports teams across the USA TODAY Network.
• Monitor metrics and use SEO best practices.
• Write columns, briefs, trending articles and/or predictions.

• Bachelor's or master's degree in journalism or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of relevant management/supervisory experience.
• Proven proficiency in applying analytics to content strategy.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills.
• SEO knowledge.
• Self‑motivation and self‑direction.
• Strong problem‑solving skills.

• Understanding of the multi‑faceted sports environment – from game coverage to fan experiences.
• Understanding of how to engage audiences on digital platforms.
• The ability to multi‑task and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
• The ability to work collaboratively within a cross‑functional environment.

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:
1. Your resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.
It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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…