Audience Development Specialist (SEO & Content Optimization)

About the role

The California Post is seeking an Audience Development Specialist to help execute our audience optimization strategy as we expand to California. This role will report into the Senior Audience Development Manager (California Post), working closely with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Sr. Audience Development specialist on audience optimization and discovery for tentpole events, ensuring optimized visibility across Google, YouTube, social, and AI-driven search.
• Pitch trending, evergreen and planned content strategies that strengthen The California Post’s authority and multi-platform presence.
• Contribute to optimization strategies for franchises, brand initiatives, and key content verticals, both on- and off-platform.
• Support execution of optimization strategies for homepage, landing pages, and article templates to enhance discoverability, engagement, and conversions.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders — including editorial, product, development, video, data, and marketing — to align audience strategies.
• Conduct keyword and platform research to identify content gaps, emerging trends, and audience demand.
• Monitor performance metrics, competitive benchmarks, and platform analytics to inform strategy and adjust in real time.
• Participate in editorial meetings and contribute real-time optimization insights to shape coverage.
• Conduct regular training sessions and audits to ensure best practices are embedded across the newsroom.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years in SEO, audience development, or platform optimization within a newsroom or relevant digital media environment.
• Expertise in multi-platform optimization (Google, YouTube, emerging AI search engines; social media optimization experience a plus).
• Experience using competitive SEO and analytics tools (SEMrush, Google Trends, Google Search Console, Google Analytics).
• Understanding of the SEO industry and Google’s evolving web standards; proficiency in structured data/schema.org is a plus.
• Ability to balance priorities and thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment; experience in a California-based newsroom is a plus.
• Ability to be both a self-starter and team player; strong interpersonal and communication skills are required.
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail.
• Willingness to work nights and weekends as needed.

Pay

Base Pay Range: $75,000 - $90,000

This pay range reflects our good faith estimate for the role and may vary based on a candidate's experience, skills, location, and other relevant factors.

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 12 p.m.-8 p.m. PST.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package covering health, retirement, wellbeing, and more, along with optional benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees.