Audience Growth Lead, The Christian Science Monitor

About the role

The Audience Growth Lead works with the newsroom as well as the product and promotions teams to grow and deepen The Christian Science Monitor’s audience through thoughtful, mission-aligned strategies that increase subscriptions, engagement, and loyalty.

Responsibilities

• Works with the Managing Publisher, editorial leaders, the analytics team and product partners to define and advance audience growth priorities, with a focus on subscription growth, engagement, and newsletter expansion.
• Leads day-to-day execution of audience strategies across key channels, including search (SEO), emerging generative search (GEO), newsletters, homepage, and distribution platforms.
• Presents story framing, writes and refines headlines, and optimizes packaging to improve reach, engagement, and subscription conversion—while maintaining Monitor voice and sensitivities.
• Partners directly with editors and writers to shape story framing, writes and refines headlines, and optimizes packaging to improve reach, engagement, and subscription conversion—while maintaining Monitor voice and sensitivities.
• Excels at partnering with teams across the organization, particularly analytics and marketing/promotions, to drive maximum impact.
• Leads SEO strategy and execution, including keyword identification, headline optimization, and ongoing refinement of content to improve search visibility and performance.
• Identifies opportunities to grow subscription conversion and reader loyalty through content strategy, user journeys, and audience insights.
• Collaborates with analytics partners to interpret audience data, define success metrics, and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Effectively prioritizes across multiple channels and initiatives, balancing impact, urgency, and available resources.
• Tracks performance across key initiatives and communicates clear, concise updates to stakeholders.
• Supports the development and expansion of newsletters as a core driver of engagement and retention.
• Maintains audience strategies directly support the Monitor’s mission, editorial standards, and non-sensational approach.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree is required.
• At least 7–10 years of experience in audience development, digital strategy, SEO, analytics, or related work—preferably within mission-driven media organizations.

Skills

• Strong understanding of audience growth levers, including SEO, AEO, GEO, newsletters, engagement strategies, and subscription funnels.
• Strong headline writing and story packaging skills, with the ability to balance clarity, accuracy, and audience engagement.
• Uses AI tools effectively to enhance workflows across analysis, content optimization, and execution, with a willingness to experiment and adapt as tools evolve.
• Familiarity with evolving search dynamics, including generative search (GEO) and platform-driven discovery.
• Comfortable working with data and analytics tools; able to interpret performance and translate insights into action.
• Strong editorial judgment and understanding of how journalism connects with audiences.
• Effectively communicates information and ideas, both in writing and orally.
• Works calmly and effectively under deadline pressure.
• Possesses strong organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Technology Skills: Experience with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Chartbeat, Parse.ly or similar) and ability to interpret performance data to inform decisions. Familiarity with SEO tools (e.g., Google Search Console, keyword tools) and understanding of search and discovery systems. Experience with newsletter platforms and audience engagement tools. Familiarity with CMS platforms and digital publishing workflows. Working knowledge of audience metrics, subscription funnels, and engagement tracking. Comfort using data tools (e.g., spreadsheets, dashboards) to analyze and communicate insights. Familiarity with experimentation and optimization approaches (e.g., A/B testing). Comfort working with and evaluating emerging technologies, including AI tools, to improve workflows and performance.

Benefits

Pay range: $114,112 - $148,346.80 annually