The Cap Times and captimes.com is seeking an experienced reporter who enjoys networking, identifying trends and finding scoops to lead our coverage of the economy and workforce in Madison, Wisconsin.
This reporter will pitch and write high-interest stories and craft coverage in a range of story formats (i.e. quick-hits, profiles, explainers, long-form). Your journalism will help ensure the community is informed about news involving major employers, small businesses and nonprofits, as well as employment trends, workforce needs, commercial developments and more.
Special attention is required within Madison specifically. Getting to know (and monitoring the activities of) executives, investors, entrepreneurs, government, industry lobbyists and labor union leaders will be key to breaking news, developing deeper insights and holding officials accountable in this role. At times, your coverage may explore economy-related stories in other communities, as well, to help readers understand novel initiatives.
Major employers in our region include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW Health, state and local government, Epic Systems, Exact Sciences and American Family Insurance. You’ll collaborate with our team of award-winning journalists, including reporters focused on higher education, health and government to consistently deliver exclusive and timely stories that are relevant to local readers.
Above all, this role is about producing thoughtful, well-sourced journalism that helps readers understand how changes in the local economy and workforce affect their daily lives and community.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing a diverse network of sources to deliver a steady stream of stories, scoops and coverage that readers can’t find anywhere else.
- Attending business events to make connections, learn and occasionally cover for stories.
- Making open records requests to investigate the activities of business leaders, lobbyists, elected officials and others, and determine what is of interest to readers.
- Monitoring corporate filings and markets for key news developments.
- Analyzing public data and documents — such as corporate filings, markets and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures — to find story ideas or to provide readers with more context.
- Contributing to Cap Times newsletters as assigned.
- Planning and participating in occasional Cap Times events.
- Working at our office and in the field, typically during the daytime on weekdays. Some work at night or on weekends will be necessary to attend key meetings or cover breaking news.
- Fulfilling a commitment to journalism that pursues stories with an open mind, treats sources and others with respect, and reflects Madison’s diverse population.
Required skills/experience:
- At least one year of professional experience in a daily news operation.
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field.
- Experience with writing tools, such as Google Documents or Microsoft Word, and data analysis tools, such as Google Spreadsheets or Microsoft Excel.
- Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.
Preferred skills/experience:
- Experience reporting on business, finance or government.
- Experience exercising open records and meetings laws.
- Experience analyzing economy-related data.
- Experience using social media, audience metrics or other tools to inform coverage.
- Knowledge of Madison and/or Wisconsin.
- Ability to communicate in multiple languages.
How to apply:
Please submit a resume, cover letter and up to three clips to Editor Mark Treinen at mtreinen@captimes.com.
