PEP - Researcher

Versant•Stamford, CT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

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
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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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