SEO Referrals Strategist

Job ID 10147299 Location Bristol, Connecticut, United States Business ESPN Date posted Apr. 02, 2026

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Job Summary:

We are seeking an ambitious Referrals Strategist to join our Digital Experience and Engagement team at ESPN, within our SEO vertical. This role is pivotal in optimizing referral traffic, maximizing audience engagement, and providing actionable insights amid the rise of AI. The Referrals Strategist will play a crucial role in strengthening content visibility, identifying evergreen topics, and discovering new pathways for referral traffic and growth. This is an on-site hybrid role based in our Bristol, CT office.

Responsibilities:

As a Referrals Strategist, you will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to increase traffic from third-party sites, apps, and aggregators. You will collaborate with various teams to optimize digital content for referral platforms and establish best practices for link-sharing. Monitoring referral traffic performance and providing actionable insights to expand overall reach and click-through rates on digital content is essential. This role matters because it directly impacts our ability to engage with our audience effectively and grow our digital presence. Success in this role requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication, and a deep understanding of SEO strategies.

Develop and execute a referral strategy to increase traffic from third-party sites, apps, and aggregators including Google, Reddit, Quora, SmartNews, Apple News, and other referral platforms.
Collaborate with audience engagement, editorial, and social teams to optimize digital content for referral platforms and establish link-sharing best practices.
Monitor referral traffic performance to provide actionable insights that can expand overall reach and click-through-rate on digital content.
Develop a reporting framework to share key wins and areas for growth with editorial stakeholders and referral partners.
Work with product team members to test technical solutions that can improve referral performance.
Synchronize with business development team members to explore new referral opportunities that connect with and build on existing company partnerships.
Sports is a 24/7 business, night and weekend work will be regular and required.

Qualifications:

Minimum 5 years of experience in audience development, with a proven track record in SEO strategies for the AI age.
Experience working with news aggregators, syndication systems, and other third-party referral platforms to grow on-platform traffic.
Experience with analytics platforms such as Google Search Console, Adobe Analytics, Chartbeat/Parse.ly, and others.
Skilled in written and verbal communication and relationship building.
Experience in pinpointing traffic trends within analytics dashboards.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, data-driven news environment.
Excellent editorial judgment across different types of content (e.g., breaking news, features, explainers, investigations).
Bachelor's degree in journalism, digital marketing, or another related field.

Preferred Requirements:

Genuine passion for sports and eagerness to expand knowledge of the digital media landscape.

Required Education:

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree in communication arts, journalism or new media or equivalent combination of education experience.

#ESPNMedia

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About ESPN:

Working at ESPN is unlike anything else. That’s because we’re always finding new ways to interact with fans – however and wherever they connect with sports. Every day we’re doing things that no one has done, all in a dynamic culture where we defy odds and continuously outdo ourselves. When you have the latest technology, game-changing ideas and world-class talent on your team, every day is extraordinary.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with ESPN Enterprises, Inc, which is part of a business we call ESPN.

ESPN Enterprises, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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Explore this Location Bristol, CT

The Heart of Connecticut Bristol, Connecticut is just two hours from Boston and New York and just an hour from the shoreline. From the natural beauty of picturesque hills and fall foliage, to the high tech satellite dishes of ESPN, Bristol’s “City sized” with a small town vibe, offering wonderful memories no matter your pace.