Data Editor, Hearst Connecticut Media Group

We’re expanding our data team at Hearst Connecticut Media Group and adding a player/coach position. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to have a hand in guiding the whole team but not lose the opportunity to do their own work with data and data-driven storytelling.

Other key new roles focus on real estate, demographics, compensation and education. 

If you love local news, inspiring conversation and challenging assumptions, this could be the role for you. 

HCMG is the state’s largest newsroom, with more than 130 journalists covering breaking news, high school and UConn sports, politics and government, business, real estate and development, education, food and trending topics. 

Hearst Newspapers, through its DevHub team of editorial engineers, AI developers and designers, has existing infrastructures for processing huge datasets and creating robust custom interactives. 

This is a newsroom leadership role, reporting to Anjanette Delgado, group managing editor, and collaborating across editorial and audience teams, and with the DevHub. You will manage a team of data reporters.

We’re seeking a self-starter with high standards who can collaborate well, has excellent communication skills, is comfortable providing and taking feedback. We want a teammate who aspires to be a key player in an exciting, modern news operation that values a smart, local readership and aims to elevate how we report and present journalism online. 

This position is full-time and could include some weekend and holiday work.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead a team that produces revelatory data-driven storytelling, interactives and newsroom tools. 
• Edit, report and write.
• Clean, analyze, interpret and visualize datasets.
• Conceive ideas and work with reporters, photographers, editors and developers to enhance our storytelling and aim for real-world impact.
• Use analytics to understand audience needs and trends, especially for subscribers.
• Research, test and teach new methods for working with data and documents. 
• Help raise general data literacy across the newsroom by documenting work, sharing methods and teaching.

What it will take to be successful: 

• At least 5 years of experience working with large, complex datasets in a newsroom setting.
• Experience as an editor and/or mentor, even informally. This could be helping colleagues learn new skills, reviewing data analysis, checking code, giving feedback on charts, pair programming, etc.
• Strong news judgment.
• Knowledge of multimedia storytelling, social media engagement and other strategies to broaden readership.
• Excellent communication, time-management and collaboration skills.
• Proven skill with Python, R, or similar scripting languages, and comfort with data visualization and mapping tools.
• Understanding of statistical principles and a commitment to accuracy and transparency in analysis.
• Understanding of design principles and accessibility considerations for data visualization.
• Experience building APIs and backend applications.
• Knowledge of AI and machine learning for data storytelling.
• Willingness and drive to learn new technical and newsroom skills.
• Plus: Ability to build scalable data pipelines to efficiently process millions of records. 
• Plus: Experience developing robust backend infrastructure and APIs that integrate seamlessly with existing frontend frameworks.
• Plus: Ability to speak a second language like Spanish.

If you’re passionate about ambitious local journalism, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. We know there are many great candidates who may not check all of these boxes.

Requirements: 

• This position is full-time. 
• It will likely include some weekend and holiday work.
• The successful candidate must be based in Connecticut or nearby New York or willing to move to the region.

Our Benefits: 

At Hearst Newspapers we not only support our employees through personal and professional development, but we also believe in promoting each individual’s physical, financial and emotional wellbeing (and that of their family).  Our industry-leading benefits include:

Physical Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.
Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with matching program in most markets.
Generous Paid Time Off: Recharge with ample time off, including holidays and vacation.
Paid Parental Leave: Support for growing families, with paid leave for new parents.
Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones.
Emotional Wellbeing: Be your best self with our mental wellness benefits.
LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for every individual’s unique needs.
Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Helping you along every step of your family journey.
Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: We care about your pets, too – helping you keep them happy and healthy.
And more, click here for additional benefits and details.

To apply: 

Send a cover letter, resume and clips for review.