creative writing jobs kansas city

Assistant Audience Development Editor

The kansas city star, kansas city, missouri.

Description:

The Kansas City Star, winner of nine Pulitzer Prizes, is seeking an experienced, high-energy digital journalist to join our team as an Assistant Audience Development Editor. 

This Kansas City-based manager will report to The Star’s Audience Development Editor and collaborate on strategies that grow and engage our local audience and build long-term loyalty among our subscribers. Job No. 1: Working to ensure The Star’s journalism meets the needs of our growing local digital audience.

You’ll join an audience team energized by experimentation and the constant search for new and creative ways to connect with our diverse readership across platforms. The newsroom you’ll join is deeply committed to listening to, engaging with and meeting the needs of our neighbors throughout the Kansas City metro area. 

This editor will lead our daily audience efforts, in collaboration with the Audience Development Editor, determining the best ways to show the breadth and depth of our journalism across our digital platforms. This will include everything from preparing the newsroom’s daily audience report before the morning news meeting to on occasion planning and writing The Star’s flagship morning and afternoon newsletters.

The successful candidate is skilled at engaging with readers across our platforms, from social media (Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Reddit, Facebook and X) to live events; has demonstrated success in writing and growing readership for newsletters, push alerts and other news products; and has a firm command of SEO. The Assistant Audience Development Editor will use our analytics tools (Power BI, Amplitude, Parse.ly/Marfeel) to identify topics of high reader interest and ensure our coverage plans meet our readers’ needs. 

In addition to audience development duties, the Assistant Audience Development Editor will oversee up to three reporters covering high-interest, trending topics such as dining out and local entertainment/celebrity news. This editor will work with these reporters to identify trending stories or stories that have high-audience potential, assign the stories, and ensure that they are reported with a local audience-first focus and published quickly. 

Keen news judgment, strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with colleagues – both local and remote – are musts. 

Kansas City is a vibrant, large city with a high quality of life – replete with iconic professional sports teams and a world-class arts scene – and a low cost of living relative to cities its size. It’s a fantastic place to put down roots, and this job offers the chance to contribute to its future. 

We believe that our team is stronger when we include individuals with a variety of perspectives and experiences, and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

The successful candidate will bring many of the following: 

• A track record of experimenting and iterating, quickly and often.
• Strong word editing and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with digital planning and packaging.
• Excellent news judgment and journalism ethics.
• Strong collaborative instincts and a love of teamwork.
• Comfort with a job that will be demanding, fast-paced and constantly evolving.
• Excellent communication skills, including leading training and coaching sessions around building audiences.
• A familiarity with communities in the Kansas City area.
• Familiarity with how to measure success using audience metrics and analytics.
• College degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least three years of audience engagement, editing or reporting experience.
• Experience managing social media accounts, and working knowledge of SEO concepts and Google Trends to grow our readership, especially among potential subscribers.
• Understanding of social media best practices.
• Understanding of newsletter best practices.
• Ability to use analytics tools such as Parse.ly to make real-time decisions for elevating our journalism and developing related digital strategies.
• An independent spirit that can make decisions quickly and can handle several tasks at once.
• Excellent news judgment and a demonstrated ability to “see the story” that is going to matter to readers.
• Proven ability to work with cross-functional teams. 

To apply, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your best work.

What we’ll bring: As a journalist at McClatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. McClatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on health, well-being, wealth and daily life, our package options include health care coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends. 

Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. With an excellent support team and with focus on your well-being as a top corporate strategy, McClatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on McClatchy's benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com . 

https://mcclatchy.rec.pro.ukg.net/MCC1008MCLTC/JobBoard/ff11d963-22db-4278-a2b7-709f3b882262/Opportunity/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=8f59e92e-d559-434f-81f0-461a072bbce8&sourceId=67be46c4-fd4b-47f3-8cbe-4f92d333fe43

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Behind-the-back pass highlights kc loss.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) misses a touchdown catch as Kansas City Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner (27) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes was rolling to his right in the first half of the Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday when he realized that Travis Kelce had run the wrong route.

So, Mahomes threw to his trusty tight end out of spite anyway — by throwing it to him behind his back.

The audacious throw was the highlight of an otherwise forgettable preseason game in which Mahomes threw for 93 yards in two tidy series of work, but the Lions rallied to win 24-23 on Jake Bates’ 43-yard field goal with no time remaining.

“I always told you it had to happen naturally,” said Mahomes, who has fooled around with behind-the-back passes in practice but had never tried it in a game. “I knew it was on target. It was just low. But like I said, it wasn’t like — I didn’t do it to look cool. I did it because I was like, pissed off (at Kelce), like why did you run that route like that? And it just worked out.”

Mahomes was 8 of 14 through the air while leading the Chiefs to a pair of field goals against the Lions’ backup defense. He also led Kansas City to a field goal in his only series in its preseason opener against the Jaguars last week.

But none of that will be remembered like his behind-the-back pass to Kelce, when Detroit defensive lineman Josh Paschal was beginning to bear down on him.

Kelce reached down and snagged the pass, and the completion on third-and-3 at the Detroit 33 was good for a first down and helped to set up an eventual field goal.

“He does it in practice every day,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I’m alright with it as long as it’s a completion.”

It didn’t take long for clips of the pass to go viral. Kelce’s brother and retired Eagles center Jason Kelce tweeted, “The son of a gun actually did it!” Quinton Lucas, the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, added: “That was unnecessary, but beautiful!”

Carson Wentz took over for Mahomes and was 5 of 10 for 31 yards with a touchdown throw to Xavier Worthy. The speedy first-round pick out of Texas had three catches for 62 yards and the score while adding 11 yards on a rushing attempt.

Lions coach Dan Campbell opted to sit his starters for their second preseason game, just as he did last year against the Jaguars. Campbell had been noncommittal about his plan for the game earlier in the week, though he did cancel a planned scrimmage for Wednesday because of the number of injuries the team has sustained in training camp.

Nate Sudfeld was 14 of 27 for 196 yards with a touchdown and an interception as he tries to nail down the backup job behind Detroit starter Jared Goff. Hendon Hooker, who returned after sustaining a concussion last week against the Giants, was 12 of 15 for 150 yards while running for a touchdown as he tried to make some headway in the competition.

The Lions’ special teams were in preseason form most of the game. They fumbled the ball away on a kickoff return — Wentz hit Worthy three plays later for their TD strike. They also fumbled a punt return and Bates missed an extra point.

Then again, Bates made the kick that won the Lions the game.

“That’s a big kick,” Campbell said. “That’s two weeks in a row. He hits a 53 (last week against the Giants) and a 55-yarder, and then hits a game-winner. Every time he does something like that, you gain a little more confidence in him.”

Lions: Play the Steelers on Saturday.

Chiefs: Play the Bears on Thursday night.

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Chiefs’ Latest Comments Don’t Bode Well for Kadarius Toney Making Roster

Jordan foote | aug 14, 2024.

• Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs ' wide receiver room continues to be a hot topic as training camp winds down, and for good reason. A spot or two is still squarely up for grabs, with several players competing for that finite amount of 53-man roster security.

Kadarius Toney, who was acquired via an in-season trade in 2022, is one of those end-of-depth-chart candidates. Unfortunately for him, his stock appears to be cratering instead of gaining steam now that one preseason outing is in the books.

Toney is entrenched in a battle with Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore, Nikko Remigio and Justyn Ross for a supporting wideout role. Not all of those players will make the cut, but all except Toney played in the club's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. With that in mind, head coach Andy Reid didn't have a ringing endorsement of Toney when he spoke to the media this week.

"Yeah, I mean, he was out here today working," Reid said. "It's just consistency. It's just a matter [of that]. With the competition, I tell all of them that. There's a ton of competition, and you've got to be on your game with that."

For the second training camp in a row, Toney is nursing an injury that's limited his availability. This time, it's an ankle ailment for the former first-round pick. On top of that, each of the players competing with him has a reason to make the team. Because Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is injured , Hardman's veteran experience could be relied on. Moore, a 2022 second-round pick, continues to get reps that coincide with someone who's set to pass through cutdown day. Remigio has shined in camp and doubles as a special teams option. Ross made a fantastic play in Saturday's game and is a different receiver archetype than the Chiefs otherwise have.

Where does that leave Toney? Whether you use context clues or put stock in the unofficial team depth chart , the conclusion is likely the same. He's on the outside looking in.

The problem is that Toney is running out of time to make a profound impact. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy echoes Reid's sentiment, indicating that it's a matter of health and making his case.

"Kadarius, again, same thing," Nagy said. "It's just making sure he's just got to get healthy and get out there so we can see him and see the reps."

A year ago, Toney was expected to be a top-two wideout on the Chiefs. After a season filled with injuries and underwhelming play, he's now fighting for a spot that may have passed him up. His fifth-year option has already been declined , so this is effectively his last chance to stick. This weekend's game against the Detroit Lions – if he plays in it – is absolutely massive for his future.

It's just this writer's take, but Toney could be auditioning for another team just as much as he's doing so for the Chiefs right now. Kansas City sounds like a franchise whose patience has run thin.

Read More: Kingsley Suamataia Discusses NFL Debut – Has He Already Won the Left Tackle Job?

JORDAN FOOTE

Jordan Foote is the deputy editor of Arrowhead Report on SI.com, covering the Kansas City Chiefs. He also hosts the One Royal Way podcast on Kansas City Sports Network. Jordan is a Baker University alumnus, earning his degree in Mass Media. Follow him on X @footenoted. 

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Kansas city chiefs to play starters vs. detroit lions in saturday’s nfl preseason game.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, front right, passes during a team training camp on Wednesday in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP photo)

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs’ starters are expected to play most of the first half of their preseason game against Detroit on Saturday, though it’s possible Carson Wentz will get some snaps with the first-team offense, too.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced his plan for the second preseason game Thursday, shortly after the defending Super Bowl champions wrapped up the final practice of their training camp at Missouri Western State University.

Mahomes was 3 of 4 for 27 yards against Jacksonville in the Chiefs’ preseason opener, helping to set up a field goal on their first possession. He typically plays into the second quarter of the second preseason game before taking the third exhibition game off ahead of the season opener, which is Sept. 5 against Baltimore.

After playing the Lions, the Chiefs will conduct the rest of camp at their training facility in Kansas City.

“I think you’ve been able to see the growth,” said Reid, one of the few coaches left in the NFL who prefers to take his team away for camp. “We’ve added a ton in the last few days up here. The guys have digested it and been able to spit it back — retain it.”

“We still have a couple of weeks ahead of us here ’til that all takes place,” Reid added, “but we’ll keep working on it.”

Reid said right tackle Jawaan Taylor would not play against the Lions after hurting his right shoulder during Thursday’s practice, which means Lucas Niang will likely replace him.

Niang was expected to compete with Kingsley Suamataeia for the starting job on the left side, but Suamataeia, a second-round pick out of BYU, seized the job early and never let go.

“(Taylor) won’t go this weekend,” Reid said, “but I think he’s going to be OK.”

Reid also said he would not “force it” to get veteran left guard Joe Thuney onto the field for a preseason game. Thuney recently came off the PUP list and began to practice after a pectoral injury that caused him to miss the Super Bowl.

Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire missed his fourth straight practice with an illness Thursday, though Reid said he was feeling better. Safety Bryan Cook also remained out of practice for personal reasons.

The biggest missing piece, of course, remained wide receiver Marquise Brown, who sustained a sternoclavicular posterior dislocation in the Chiefs’ game in Jacksonville. Brown was fortunate the shoulder injury, similar to one that caused former Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill to miss four games in 2019, did not require surgery.

“We’re lucky it wasn’t as bad as it could have been,” Mahomes said Thursday. “He’s in good spirits, doing well. Getting him back going again, moving around. Obviously we lost a little bit of that veteran-type receiver in that room. We have other guys that can replace a little bit, but to have that much talent and understand what I want — but he’s in that room. That’s important.”

Reid was noncommittal this week when asked whether Brown could be ready for Week 1. In the meantime, the Chiefs have turned to veteran Justin Watson, who knows every wide receiver position in the offense.

“Very confident in him,” Mahomes said. “A guy that knows everything, can play all three (receiver) positions, can catch and block. Those guys have to step up while (Brown) is out. We’re lucky it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be for too long.”

Much like Reid, Mahomes came away from the three-plus weeks in St. Joseph feeling good about the work Kansas City put it as it begins pursuit of a record third consecutive Super Bowl championship.

“I thought it was a competitive camp. That was the biggest thing,” he said. “More than just standouts every day, you didn’t know if the offense or defense was going to win. That’s when it’s a great camp. There were days the defense got after us. There were days we had the advantage. I think just the competitive nature of camp was the best thing about it.”

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