The Austin Business Journal seeks a staff writer to cover economic development in one of the hottest economies in the country. This beat focuses on the biggest issues for the Austin’s economy — traffic, affordability and any deterioration in the quality of life — and largely sits on the intersection of the public and private sectors.
Examples of storylines on this beat: Tesla subsidies for a gigafactory then subsequent layoffs, Austin’s efforts to update land-development rules, the push to yield more affordable housing and Austin’s efforts to expand light rail. The reporter hired will be in the weeds with a zoning case one day, focused on macro issues the next.
Our economic development reporter is expected to provide forward-looking business intelligence to savvy readers who will use it to grow their businesses and/or advance their careers. Our content gives them a leg up on their competitors, connects them with decision-makers and delineates growth strategies that work from those that don’t. This usually entails finding news at city halls, county courthouses or other public entities and then speaking to private-sector sources about the business ramifications of what’s in the pipeline.
The ideal candidate will blend traditional journalism skills — source building, sharp news judgment, interviewing prowess and scoop-driven reporting – with online and social media know-how. Reporters in our newsroom don’t just turn in copy. They include videos, slideshows and other multimedia components that advance the story and further engage our audience. They break hard news that sometimes sources don’t want brought to light, but they don’t burn bridges.
Job Responsibilities
• Report and write short-form and long-form stories for the website and weekly print edition.
• Own the beat, dictating day-to-day coverage and thriving on digging out source-driven exclusives.
• Relentlessly develop sources and manage relationships with high-level executives and other community leaders.
• Scoop competitors on every story of any significance, not only telling them what happened, but why and how.
Skills & Experience
Track record in the news business of building, maintaining and engaging an audience in print and online. Social media mavens held in high regard. Enterprising reporters who work more off human sources than press releases required.
To apply, go here.
