Knoxville paper seeks business reporter

The Knoxville News Sentinel is looking for a multimedia journalist with strong investigative, storytelling and digital skills to cover business news. Knoxville is the economic hub of East Tennessee with a dynamic mix of large and small enterprises.

The Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation’s biggest utility, is based in the area. So are Pilot Flying J, the country’s largest chain of travel centers; Clayton Homes, the leader in manufactured housing; and Scripps Networks, the cable giant that includes HGTV, Food Network, and the Travel Channel. Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee propel a vibrant entrepreneurial set, and the health-care and auto-parts industries are booming.

A reporter on this beat will disclose what led to a plant relocation, break news of a corporate shakeup, reveal new marketing ploys, and capture the humanity and drama behind the hurly-burly of business.

Knoxville is the center of one of the most beautiful parts of the country, with the Great Smoky Mountains as the metro area’s backyard. The region is home to the Oak Ridge scientific complex, where the first atomic bomb was built, as well as the state’s flagship university, which boasts several major colleges and a football team ranked in the AP’s preseason top-10. Tennessee is the most musical of states, and this is the part that especially contributes the blue grass and roots sounds (though country diva Dolly Parton is one of our proudest local icons). Downtown is experiencing a lively renaissance, and an urban wilderness offers a natural haven nearby.

This position involves developing sources, engaging readers through social media, being alert to breaking news, and reporting and writing in-depth and investigative pieces. The successful candidate will be adept at shooting photos and video as well as excellent at writing. Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a related field, 3-5 years relevant experience and basic knowledge of web publishing and Microsoft Office.

To apply, go here.