Outlier Media is a national leader in service journalism design and a local reporting powerhouse in Detroit. Founded in 2016, the team at Outlier has spent the last few years developing methods and new products to fill information gaps in low-wealth communities. We have collaborated with local and national outlets to publish reporting that holds people, corporations and government accountable for neglect or abuses of power. We strive to provide information to individuals that makes self-determination more possible.

Over the next several years, our goal is to demonstrate the potential for journalism to create a mass audience through reflective and responsive reporting based on information and accountability needs. It is an ambitious goal to reinvigorate local journalism to sufficiently hold powerful people and institutions accountable. 

We are hiring an Audience Manager to help us execute a full-funnel audience strategy that broadens the reach and awareness of Outlier Media’s journalism and products; engages audiences with our content and resources; builds on the connections we have with the people in our communities; and guides readers toward habit and loyalty. The right candidate for this role can manage day-to-day activities while also building strategies for future growth. They should also be flexible to adjust hours to meet deadlines and needs of the organization, including availability to work occasional evenings and weekends. This job is in the city of Detroit and is not a remote position, though we embrace a hybrid work model, typically spending at least three days per week in the office.

The Audience Manager will report to the Editor-in-Chief, but our entire team is dedicated to serving audience needs and collaborating on this work to grow. We understand audience work is a team effort!

The deadline to apply is May 10, 11:59 p.m. ET.

In this role you will:

  • Build a daily audience engagement strategy and workflow, in collaboration with the editorial staff. 
  • Develop and implement a strategic vision for converting our TXT OUTLIER users (SMS) into an audience for additional reporting and editorial products
  • Assist the editorial team in using insights from our desired audience to shape additional news and information products that can meet their needs.
    Grow our newsletter subscriptions and deepen engagement with these readers.
  • Work with the Development Director to understand what audience development strategies necessary for Outlier to deliver on audience-centric revenue plans. 
  • Establish best practices for audience cultivation and engagement.
  • Set the standard for which data and insights can help us understand user behavior so we can better serve our audience and expand reach and impact.
  • Use analytics tools to track how our audience interacts with Outlier content across channels and products and share those insights with the team to guide our editorial decisions.
  • Use audience channels like search engines and social media to grow the number of people who know about and engage with our journalistic content.
  • Develop and test hypotheses in experiments to grow and connect with our audiences. 
  • Oversee outreach to and relationships with third-party platforms and publishing partners.
  • Prepare materials about our audience for our staff, Board of Directors, and major donors. 
  • Write inviting headlines, combined with a sophisticated understanding of SEO strategies.

Qualifications

  • Belief in Outlier’s mission and values 
  • Dedication to filling audience needs 
  • Enthusiasm about working in an environment that appreciates and reflects the diversity of Detroit along with skills to navigate a diverse workplace
  • Ethical
  • Great judgment
  • Comfortable working with and gaining insights from data
  • Proven manager of systems, people and information flow
  • Strong organizational and time management skills 
  • Enthusiastic about collaboration
  • Supportive and respectful
  • Self-directed
  • Ability to manage both urgent, short-term projects and complex, longer-term projects

What we offer

Outlier is a small team of dedicated professionals. We work hard and expect high-quality work from ourselves and each other. However, we also support learning, growing and stretching. We support each other’s professional and personal goals. We have healthy boundaries, and we have worked to create an environment that helps us avoid burnout rather than hobble through it. For the Audience Manager position, we offer:

  • Starting salary of $75K 
  • Relocation stipend
  • Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance; 401(k) and matching; generous vacation, PTO and holidays 
  • Funded and supported professional development opportunities

Outlier Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and celebrate diversity and work toward equity. We encourage applicants from marginalized identities to apply. To apply please send a résumé and cover letter to sarah@outliermedia.org.

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Sarah (she/her) believes the best local reporting is a service, responds directly to community needs and reduces harm. Her favorite place in Detroit is her backyard on a summer evening.