Local Journalism Journalist - The Local: Nashville

The New York Times launched a newsletter pilot in Minneapolis-St. Paul and is now expanding to Nashville, seeking two entrepreneurial, digital-savvy journalists.

In this role, you will serve as host or contributor to The Local: Nashville, a blend of essential and delightful information designed to make readers more connected to their community and more conversant around the news. The newsletter will bridge Nashville to the full breadth of The Times and Games, Wirecutter, NYT Cooking, and The Athletic. It will showcase high-quality independent journalism from local sources and partner with Nashville news organizations.

You will help Nashville natives and newcomers understand the forces driving change around them. You will introduce audiences to interesting characters and places, moderate and drive conversation, curate the best locally relevant content from a wide range of sources, and build relationships with readers through callouts, social media, and in-person events.

Candidates should be deeply rooted in Nashville and have significant experience covering the area, whether in news, politics, business, sports, culture, or some combination. You must have a clear understanding of what makes the region tick, as well as its media ecosystem and audience needs. A traditional newspaper background is not required—we are interested in storytellers fluent in a variety of forms and platforms. Experience as a “host” — of a podcast, newsletter, video series, or live events — is a plus.

The reporters will work in Nashville and be part of the newsletter team.

Responsibilities:

• Work with colleagues to shape the tone, structure, and content of The Local: Nashville
• Help select topics of focus, do original reporting, and incorporate items from others on the team
• Read, watch, and listen widely and deeply across local media, including influencers, to support and showcase the best journalism in the region. Partner on coverage and initiatives with local outlets when appropriate
• Collaborate with staff of The Local in other cities and New York to maximize reach and impact
• Experiment with formats and content mixes, including Q&As, features, data stories, explainers, and visual presentations
• Seek out opportunities to connect with readers and build community, both online and in person
• Shape and maintain The Local's presence on social platforms, looking for opportunities to innovate
• Monitor the latest in how other news organizations and brands are engaging their communities and building fandom, and look for ways to leverage those ideas
• Help develop engagement goals and track progress against them, using data to inform understanding of what is working and to seed innovation and experiments
• Represent The Local at community/media events and help plan/run our own
• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world
• Report to the Deputy Editorial Director, Newsletters

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience working in digital storytelling
• Demonstrated superb news judgment, audience-first thinking, and experience across breaking news, features, analysis, and enterprise
• Prior work in newsletters and social media, and a love for/commitment to both (experience in video, audio, and data-journalism are a plus)
• Comfort with analytics tools to yield actionable insights
• Facility with a variety of storytelling forms, including data-visualization and video
• Track record showing initiative and landing digital media projects

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to integrity, independence, and accuracy
• Collaborative spirit, willingness to experiment, and a sense of humor
• Deep connections to Nashville and sources in a variety of areas
• Omnivorous interests and ability to communicate conversationally