Indianapolis Star seeks a retail reporter

The Indianapolis Star/IndyStar.com, a winner of last year’s Pulitzer Prize for national reporting and part of the USA Today Network, has an immediate opening for a reporter to cover retail on its business team.

The reporter will alert readers about business openings and closings and other growth-and-development related business developments in the Indianapolis area. Our metrics show us that readers really want to know the comings and goings of the places where they shop, and we want to own this news for them. But beyond telling us what is happening, the ideal candidate will tell us why certain retailers are succeeding and others are failing, who the winners and losers are as new developments are built, and evaluate and contextualize the government resources that are fueling redevelopments. Indianapolis has a thriving downtown, but retail also is growing throughout the city and suburbs. Some see exciting new places to shop. Others see “not in my backyard” developments. Still more wonder why the government spends money to help private entrepreneurs.

The ideal candidate will file quick stories of comings and goings off the news, but also dive in for explanatory, narrative and watchdog stories, retail and ecommerce and shopping trend stories, and consumer scams and rip-offs stories. The ideal candidate will provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues and connect with people in the community.

The candidate should demonstrate a strong understanding of audience metrics, engagement tactics and search engine optimization.

But that’s not enough. IndyStar prides itself on a newsroom culture that is collegial and collaborative. We require not only talented reporters and writers but good teammates who support each other and work well across the newsroom with all our teams.

We look for journalists who possess specific traits: intellectual curiosity, a sense of justice/purpose, kindness, passion and compassion.

This position reports to Chris Sikich, Enterprise Editor.

To Do So, Put Together a Single Document File That Includes The Following, In This Order

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done.

• Your resume – one to two pages.
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
• Links to 3 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

To apply, go here.