Tampa Bay Times seeks business columnist

Want to be a crucial watchdog for the Tampa Bay Times, a key conduit to the bay area business community and an important public voice in the region, all wrapped up into one job? With the retirement of Bob Trigaux, a rare opportunity has opened up to become the next  business columnist for Florida’s largest newspaper.

This beat calls for an experienced, well-rounded journalist, one who is aggressive in getting to know power brokers on both sides of the bay. We’re looking for someone who can write with authority, a quick study who can delve into a wide variety of topics.

And don’t think that the role is to only weigh in with opinions and observations on what’s already out in the public eye. You’ll be expected to break news. Tell us what we don’t know about how consumers are being put upon or what’s going on inside the boardrooms. Introduce us to up-and-comers we’ve never heard of. There are no presuppositions about which topics to explore nor how to write about them. Your goal should be to make this beat your own – with your own, distinctive writing style.

Consistent with our online aspirations, we’re looking for a candidate who is adept at using social media and quick to post. Expectations are high, but so is the payoff in being a source whom readers can count on to expose our community’s warts and shine a light on its hidden gems.

Please contact Business Editor Jeff Harrington at jharrington@tampabay.com.