Lead Data Writer

A Lead Data Writer for Catena Media is primarily a data-driven writer for their assigned sites, with a core focus on data reporting for the gambling and sports betting industry, such as revenue data and other relevant metrics. This role assists in collecting relevant data—both manually and through automation—draws insights from that data, and reports on it in a way that is clear, accurate, and compelling for readers, using formats suited to the site and other relevant platforms. The Lead Data Writer also provides reporting ideation and support to other squads, helping surface data-driven story opportunities beyond their own assigned sites, and supports one-off tent-pole pieces of content that use proprietary data to generate organic backlinks and industry authority. The Lead Data Writer is expected to actively promote their own work and engage on professional social platforms such as LinkedIn and X, with openness to developing an on-screen presence for platforms like YouTube. While a portion of the work will be assigned by the News Editor, the Lead Data Writer will also be expected to generate reporting ideas weekly. AI tools, such as Claude, are expected to supplement the Lead Data Writer's workflow—supporting data collection, analysis, ideation, drafting, and editing—while the writer retains ownership of the reporting itself, including data accuracy, voice, and journalistic judgment.

YOUR CHALLENGE:

• Assist in the collection of data relevant to the gambling and sports betting industry, using both manual research and automated data-collection tools and processes.
• Draw insights from revenue and other performance data, identifying trends, outliers, and storylines worth reporting on.
• Write, research, and publish revenue reports and other data-driven content for Catena Media sites and partners, translating complex figures into clear, engaging stories.
• Provide reporting ideation and guidance to other squads, helping surface data-driven story angles and opportunities relevant to their content.
• Support the development of one-off tent-pole pieces of content that leverage proprietary data to generate organic backlinks and grow brand authority.
• Maintain and refine revenue data-collection processes and automations, flagging opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, or scope.
• Be available for industry interviews and press appearances related to gambling and sports betting revenue and data.
• Promote published work and engage authentically on personal professional social channels (e.g., LinkedIn, X) to build authority and grow audience reach.
• Be open to developing an on-screen presence for social platforms such as YouTube, supporting the brand's video and multimedia content efforts.
• Work closely with the News Editor and Content Lead, as well as other squads, to align revenue data reporting with the overall content strategy and priorities.
• Leverage AI tools to supplement the workflow, supporting data collection, analysis, ideation, drafting, and editing, while ensuring all AI-assisted output is fact-checked, accurate, and true to the writer's voice and journalistic standards.
• Collaborate with Business Intelligence stakeholders to ensure data is correctly stored and displayed across the company's analytical platforms.
• Adhere to the applicable style guide and brand principles, follow SEO best practices, and other guidance as provided.
• Assist in drafting, updating, and publishing revenue reports and evergreen data content inside the content management system (CMS) as requested.
• Be receptive and use feedback to improve performance and increase proficiency.
• Other content or data reporting duties as assigned by the News Editor or Content Lead.

TO DO IT, YOU WILL NEED:

A Lead Data Writer must have a minimum of three years of experience working as a journalist or data-focused writer, covering various aspects of online gaming or revenue reporting throughout the US, or equivalent related experience, and a two-year degree.

Other qualifications include:

• Strong ability to interpret complex earnings calls, revenue projections, and financial or performance data for a general audience.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Comfort working with spreadsheets and data tools (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets) to collect, organize, and analyze revenue data; experience with data automation tools or basic scripting is a plus.
• Collaborate with others, taking complex data and ideas and breaking them down into easy-to-understand content.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including knowledge of AP style guidelines.
• Experience in WordPress is preferred but not required.
• Comfortable and active on professional social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, X) to promote work and build personal and brand authority.
• Openness to on-camera or on-screen content formats, such as video for platforms like YouTube.
• Proficiency with, or strong willingness to learn, AI-assisted writing, research, and data-analysis tools (e.g., Claude) to supplement the workflow.

How Success is Measured:

• Data reporting output: volume, cadence, and accuracy of revenue data collection and reporting against weekly targets.
• Insight and ideation quality: number and quality of data-driven insights and reporting ideas generated and shared with other squads.
• Content performance: traffic, engagement, and search visibility of published revenue reports and data-driven content.
• Authority acquisition: organically earning backlinks and social mentions.
• Tent-pole content impact: organic backlinks and industry authority generated by one-off, data-driven tent-pole content.
• Social and audience engagement: growth and engagement on personal professional social channels tied to published work.