WSJ seeks a speed and trending reporter in Los Angeles

The Wall Street Journal is looking for a quick-thinking reporter for our Speed & Trending team. This group at the heart of the newsroom is the first word on many of the most important stories of the day, writing with speed, precision and authority across subject areas.

Driven by the Journal’s coverage priorities and audience data, these reporters focus on delivering the timely news our digital readers want and need. The team’s breaking news remit ranges widely across subjects, from business to general news around the country and beyond. The team operates in close coordination with other reporting groups across the Journal, often kicking off coverage before passing the baton.

In addition to breaking news, this team looks for smart opportunities to join the conversation on other trending stories and topics.

You should be resourceful, comfortable with cold-calling police departments or corporate press offices, and excited by the chase for a developing story. You should have strong news judgment, excellent research skills and a good sense for what our audience is looking for. You will be expected to quickly produce clean, error-free copy.

This role requires some schedule flexibility — the desk operates from early morning to late evening. While you will likely start the job working remotely, you will eventually be based in our Los Angeles office.

You Will

Monitor and report on breaking news of all types
Track developing stories drawing interest online, find WSJ angles and report them out for publication before the trend shifts
On big breaking news, take feeds from multiple colleagues and develop them into a well-rounded piece or pieces

You Have

Broad interests and experience across subject areas
Proven ability to write on deadline
Solid understanding of and appreciation for audience data and SEO-friendly presentation and what it means for how we do our jobs
3+ years of reporting experience

To apply, please submit your resume, a cover letter explaining how you would approach the job and up to five clips.

To apply, go here.

Chris Roush

Chris 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.