The Memphis Business Journal is looking for a reporter to cover commercial real estate in West Tennessee, North Mississippi, and Eastern Arkansas.
The commercial real estate reporter is typically one of the most visible members of a business journal newsroom. Candidates must be able to blend traditional journalism skills — source building, sharp news judgment, interviewing prowess and scoop-driven reporting – with online and social media know-how. Reporters don’t just turn in copy; thought must be given to multimedia options such as videos or slideshows.
This beat focuses primarily on commercial real estate, with some residential real estate sprinkled in. This reporter will also tackle big-picture issues such as economic incentives and economic development efforts and trends.
MBJ reporters are expected to provide forward-looking business intelligence to savvy readers not just to inform them, but connect them with decision-makers and also educate them on the strategies that work — or don’t work. A focus on the people behind the deals is essential.
Duties
Business Journal reporters are expected to contribute short-form and long-form stories for the website and weekly paper. Here, reporters are encouraged to own their beat and dictate day-to-day coverage. To bring in source-driven scoops, reporters are expected to be vigilant networkers and relationship managers. Our best stories come from people not press releases. Scoops matter — a lot — and on top of that, readers demand to not only know what is happening, but why and how. You break hard news that sometimes sources don’t want brought to light but you never burn bridges.
Skills
• Proven excellence in reporting and writing
• Desire and ability to break news and to identify newsworthy events and sources
• Strong analytical and investigative-interviewing skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Ability to relate comfortably to a wide range of people, in person, on the phone and online
• A clear drive to develop sources and build audience
• Solid understanding of news writing, journalistic ethics and story structure.
• Ability to leverage relationships with sources to deliver content that differentiates the organization from competitors.
• Multimedia skills, including video, photos, broadcast, on-camera, helpful.
Experience
At least three years of journalism experience desired. Track record of building, maintaining and engaging a high-level audience in person, in print and online; social media mavens held in high regard. A knowledge of the real estate sector is a plus.
Education
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
To apply, email a resume, cover letter and links to clips that best show enterprise and scoops reporting to Editor Greg Akers, gakers@bizjournals.com
