News Data Automation Lead, Content AI

|Current USA TODAY Co. Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through MyApps|USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. USA TODAY Co. open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at USA TODAY Co., you should be completing an application on USA TODAY Co. Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. If you are a California resident, you acknowledge that by applying for a job with us, this California Job Applicant Privacy Notice will apply to our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information. To connect with us, visit www.usatodayco.comNews Data Automation Lead, Content AI The USA TODAY NETWORK is seeking a News Data Automation & AI Workflow Lead to help design, build, and scale the next generation of data driven and AI assisted journalism across the nation’s largest local news organization. This role is ideal for a well rounded and innovative newsroom technologist — someone who is deeply skilled in data automation and scraping, but who also brings strong news judgment, comfort with emerging AI tools, and the ability to think beyond a single pipeline or use case. The successful candidate will help lead the development of automated workflows, AI assisted tools, and newsroom ready products that turn public data sources into the raw material our journalists need to do impactful work. This is a hands on role that blends technical execution, experimentation, and leadership. On some days, the work will involve building or troubleshooting data pipelines and automation systems. On others, it will focus on ideation, product testing, mentoring, workflow design, and translating technical concepts into clear guidance for editorial partners. This role is remote and can be based anywhere in the US, except for Alaska, Hawaii and Wyoming. Why This Role Matters The USA TODAY Network serves communities across hundreds of markets. Many of the most important stories in local journalism begin with a signal hidden in data or surfaced through automation. This role exists to help the Network find those signals faster, build smarter tools around them, and ensure journalists can act on them confidently and consistently. By combining data automation expertise with AI experimentation, newsroom collaboration, and workflow leadership, this role helps ensure technology meaningfully strengthens local journalism — not just produces output. Who You AreA strong technical practitioner with hands on newsroom experience in data automation and scraping, who is also curious, adaptable, and comfortable working across disciplines.Someone who enjoys moving between building, explaining, and improving systems, not just writing code in isolation.A collaborator who can translate technical language into newsroom friendly terms and help others understand how tools can support their work.Comfortable operating in a fast moving environment where priorities evolve and experimentation is encouraged.Grounded in journalistic values, with a clear understanding of accuracy, ethics, and editorial responsibility.What Success Looks LikeIn the first 90 days, you will:Audit existing data automation and AI assisted workflows and recommend which should be maintained, narrowed, redesigned or retired.Stabilize and document at least one high value existing pipeline or internal tool.Begin building or redesigning at least one priority workflow around a timely, high value public dataset, including a clear plan for AI assisted components where appropriate.Within six months, you will:Deliver a focused set of reliable, documented pipelines and/or tools centered on high priority local signals.Create newsroom ready output formats and utilities that make those signals actionable quickly and consistently for multiple markets.Help shift resources away from low value recurring automation and toward better differentiated data and AI driven opportunities.Within 12 months, you will:Establish a durable