Reuters seeks an experienced editorial leader in Chicago to drive U.S. agriculture and wider coverage of the Midwest. This is a fascinating time for the region as a fall in corn, soy and wheat prices means farmers will be looking at their lowest revenues for years. The regional and global agricultural economy is in a downturn. Bird flu has ravaged commercial poultry flocks and had a widespread impact on dairy herds. Climate change is changing farming. A change in president and policies is on the horizon. It will be your job to drive winning coverage of all the big stories in the sector- and how they fit into the global agriculture story– both in breaking news and through investigative work.
Our biggest Midwest bureau is important to coverage of many of the biggest stories for financial and media clients – from strife over racial inequality to regional and rural politics.
The successful candidate will be a well-rounded manager able to edit stories across a range of subjects and who brings expertise in agriculture or commodities coverage. We are looking for a journalist who can spot interesting ideas, work with reporters to turn those into insightful stories and collaborate with the editing desk to get stories published. You would be as adept at publishing market moving headlines as inspiring, coordinating and driving investigative reporting, in-depth analysis and exploring new ways to deliver high-value, specialized content to our clients.
About the Role
In this opportunity as Chicago Bureau Chief, you will:
- Set the agenda for U.S. agricultural and Midwest coverage
- Drive a team of experienced correspondents to break exclusive news and publish the most insightful stories on the markets, industries and beats they cover.
- Ensure depth and quality in everything we publish: from market reports through to investigative work.
- Edit to the highest level before sending stories to the publishing desk.
- Adapt quickly to changes in markets and policy to ensure we deliver outstanding coverage on the most important agricultural, national and international stories from the region.
- Drive development and career progression across the team.
About You
You’re a fit for the role of Chicago Bureau Chief if your background includes:
- At least five years experience editing and reporting on a real-time financial news file.
- At least five years experience managing a team of journalists.
- A strong understanding of agriculture and commodities.
- Impeccable news judgment and the ability to write with speed, clarity, accuracy and flair.
- The ability to write and edit stories across a wide range of topics, including corporate and general news.
- A proven track record of framing, pitching and editing both breaking news and initiative stories, spotting trends and delivering agenda-setting big-picture stories ahead of the competition.
- The ability to explain complex market issues to a wide business audience.
- Strong data handling and analysis skills.
- Excellent inter-personal skills.
To apply, go here.
Chris RoushChris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.