Staff Writer (Part Time)

PlayOn is searching for a Staff Writer to join our Editorial team, dedicated to delivering quality, engaging content to our audience. From schedules and scores to breaking news to rankings and awards, we are committed to the mission of being America’s source for high school sports.

The Staff Writer will be responsible for executing news and game coverage as assigned.

The ideal candidate has a background in sports media with a strong grasp on the high school landscape. A sharp eye for news, experience with search engine optimization (SEO) and an understanding of how audiences consume content is preferred.

The outcomes you’ll deliver

• Increase in new paying subscribers through compelling storytelling.
• Generate stories and content to help department reach annual audience goals.
• Work collaboratively with social media and video teams to aid in positioning content across multiple platforms.
• Foster positive brand affinity among our audience.

In this role, you can expect to

• Writing articles and contributing to video pieces.
• Anticipate and React. Cover breaking news with speed, accuracy and context.
• Pitch and develop story ideas that resonate with high school sports fans.
• Be the Face of the Brand. Conduct research and interviews with athletes and coaches.
• Work with editors and other team members to amplify content.
• Meet daily and weekly deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

To thrive in this role, you have

• 2+ years of sports media/journalism experience with an emphasis on high school sports.
• A strong portfolio that demonstrates your ability to write AP Style, create compelling stories and stand out in a crowded sports media landscape.
• An ability to think big-picture and balance creativity with business objectives. Strong understanding of branding and audience behavior.
• Experience with Adobe Photoshop, content-management systems (CMS).
• To find motivation and inspiration in fast-moving, fluid environments.
• Bachelor's degree, Master’s Degree-level preferred.
• Strong understanding of fan culture and passion for the sports industry is a plus.

How You Play

• Ownership over Participation- You take responsibility for achieving holistic outcomes, prioritize key objectives, and adapt quickly when situations require a different approach. You follow through even against the toughest challenges.
• Team over Stars- You are a bridge builder, establishing processes and relationships with teams outside your own. You work to rally around common goals, find win-win solutions, compromise when necessary, and help others succeed.
• Growth over Comfort- You are driven by a desire to grow and actively seek opportunities to expand your comfort zone, skills, and confidence. You embrace new challenges with curiosity, accepting discomfort and failure as opportunities to learn.
• Fairness over Popularity- You approach decisions with a scientist’s mindset, challenging your assumptions and remaining objective. You consider long-term impact rather than relying on short-term gains, proactively seek others’ perspectives, and manage emotions in decision-making.