MarketWatch is seeking an ambitious, experienced and nimble reporter for its personal finance team. We are looking for a seasoned and energetic reporter who can filter the news of the day through three key questions: “What does this seemingly innocuous piece of data or news story mean for me and my money? How can I make smarter saving, investing and spending decisions? What are the most critical issues that are impacting my financial life?"
Are you endlessly fascinated by the role money plays in our lives? Do you see every twist and turn in the economic, social and political climate of our country as an opportunity to say something unique and unexpected about our finances? Do you enjoy both explaining complex topics and talking to people about their lives? If so, this job is for you. In a financial climate with boundless opportunity for bad decision making, answering these questions has never been more important. We are experiencing a cultural moment in which long-held attitudes about consumerism, capitalism, and the meaning of professional success are being challenged.
The ideal candidate will be a senior reporter with a “black-belt metabolism” who has a proven track record in balancing daily stories with the more deeply-reported journalism that makes MarketWatch a leader in real-time financial news. In this role, you will be expected to anticipate consumer trends, while regularly filing smart, thought-provoking features. Every story is a personal-finance story. As such, MarketWatch casts a wide net in its personal finance coverage. We inform readers about core topics such as savings, credit-card debt, student loans, taxes, and mortgage rates. We provide advice and enlighten our audience about how the wider macroeconomic, political and social climate impacts our financial lives. The ideal candidate will never be at a loss for story ideas, and will easily spot the most important money angle on the news of the day. Though MarketWatch is renowned for its minute-to-minute markets coverage, the personal-finance team sits at the heart of our site and is critical to its long-term success.
The role will be based in New York, though other locations will be considered on merit.
Responsibilities:
Ability to gracefully juggle multiple stories a day and write sophisticated features/enterprise stories
Explain complex financial concepts in an accessible way - polished, jargon-free, clear financial prose.
Collaborate with colleagues and other departments
Craft sharp and memorable headlines and embody top-notch news judgment
Fluency in consumer finance and economics
Pitch creative and compelling story ideas
Thrive in a fast-paced newsroom
Be a newsroom leader and mentor other writers
Qualifications:
Preferably five to seven years reporting experience
Understand the core tenets of personal finance
Facility with SEO and audience strategies
Adept at finding unique angles off the news
A track record of writing unique, engaging financial stories