PEP Researcher

Overview

USA Sports is looking for a versatile Sports Researcher to join the team. The goal of the Sports Research team is to guide our company’s sports coverage with storytelling, statistics, and historical context, with the goal of producing the best content possible for casual audiences and sports fanatics alike. The ideal candidate will already have a strong foundation of sports knowledge along with a deep curiosity to learn more, coupled with an enthusiasm to share that knowledge with our production teams and our audiences.

The position will require strong writing skills, sound editorial judgment, quick decision making, and the ability to interact with the entire production staff during live studio and remote programming.

This is a part-time project/limited term position with an estimated duration of up to 9 months, unless otherwise amended or terminated as deliverables within this project are completed.

• Develop, compile and circulate information about sports and athletes across Versant platforms including but not limited to WNBA, College Basketball, Golf, College Football, NASCAR, Premier League, and Pro Volleyball. This role will be primarily focused on supporting the WNBA.
• Maintain the accuracy and integrity of on-air content
• Be a constructive teammate by working with producers and on-air talent to develop story ideas, gather story-related research, and fact check scripts (both pre-produced and live broadcast)
• Prepare on-air talent prior to shows, and provide accurate, on the spot information during broadcasts including in various capacities in studios, control rooms and on remote, sometimes as the only production representative with talent
• Duties include contributing to production and editorial meetings, creating and writing research and story memos for production and talent, and responding to specific research requests
• Researchers are expected to become experts in the stories, athletes, rules, results, and histories in every sport televised by USA Sports
• Be prepared to contribute to research projects across USA Sports properties including supporting game and event production with notes and briefings
• Be prepared to interview or contribute to interviews with athletes, coaches, and officials
• Prepare and build content for the operation of on-air ticker
• Keep up with daily news on sports that USA Sports covers, reacting quickly to breaking news and sharing updates with production leadership

Basic Requirements:

• Minimum one (1) year of experience in sports journalism or related field or equivalent work experience
• Submission of writing samples
• Excellent writing skills with proven journalistic writing ability
• Demonstrated editorial judgment and commitment to accuracy
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Desired Characteristics:

• Previous demonstrated excellence working on a national or regional sports television production or equivalent experience is strongly preferred.
• Candidates should be versatile, self-motivated, energetic and able to work well both independently and as part of a group
• Sound editorial judgment and journalistic instincts along with clear, efficient writing ability
• Experience with providing sports information for on-air broadcasters
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately under pressure, meet deadlines, sustain focus on assigned duties and multi-task
• Experience in news gathering and/or working in studio production
• Strong working knowledge of various research sources and methods
• Willingness to take initiative and “own” responsibilities and decisions on properties to which you are assigned

• Interested candidate must submit a resume though the Versant Careers website
• Willingness to work overtime, nights and weekends with short notice as needed
• Must be willing to work in Stamford, CT
• Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States
• Must be 18 years or older
• Required On-Site:
  This position is required to be performed from a Versant-designated worksite

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to candida tea