Retail & Small Business Reporter

We're looking for a reporter who can help our readers understand the local economy by delving into the successes and failures of small businesses, with a focus on what's happening in the food and drink sector.

This is a fun beat, with plenty of good stories — but we're looking for someone who approaches it as a hard news reporter. Our dream candidate would be happy spending the morning on Instagram and the afternoon digging through public records, is someone who would be as excited by significant changes in the zoning code as they are by a new celebrity chef.

Being a small-business owner is challenging, and you'll have to put the work in to contextualize those challenges by talking to bankers and brokers and by sourcing with developers, restaurateurs, brewers and other entrepreneurs.

You'll have to tell our readers what's on the horizon, who is succeeding and failing and what those developments mean.

If you can blend exciting feature writing with a nose for news, if you want to be the first to tell our readers what is happening and then step back and explain why it matters, if you can tackle one of the key beats in the Jacksonville economy — we'd like to hear from you.

To do this job, you’ll need to be great at sourcing, comfortable dealing with public records and have a drive to help business leaders understand and compete in a fast-moving world.

A JBJ reporter is expected to be first with news that matters to our readers, helping these plugged-in leaders get a leg up on their competitors, connect with decision makers and understand what’s working in the local economy and what isn’t.

You’ll get to break news for our daily report, write features about the people and issues that matter and have dedicated time for longer-form journalism. You’ll also get competitive pay, a great benefits package and the opportunity to advance in a company that’s growing: The JBJ has been a springboard for careers throughout American City Business Journals as well as other top-notch business publications including Barrons, the Wall Street Journal and the Journal of Commerce.

If you have the enthusiasm, drive and talent to do the level of work we’re looking for, we should talk. Your application should include your resume, your best clips and a cover letter explaining why you're excited about the job.