Business Reporter

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/ jsonline.com , part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a forward-thinking reporter to develop a reshaped beat with one eye on the area’s manufacturing economy and the other on how the region’s economy is shifting, from more green jobs to efforts to bolster tourism and entertainment. This means covering old-line companies such as Harley-Davidson and Briggs, as well as emerging powerhouses such as Komatsu, Generac and Milwaukee Tool. But it also means understanding shifts, including the burgeoning ‘green economy’ and developments such as the massive solar farms planned for Dane County and across the state. One day it could mean following the push by the Milwaukee Brewers to receive additional public support for operation of American Family Field, the next it could involve the upheaval Kohl’s is facing in the wrenching world of retail, the next the effort to develop the Foxconn site in Racine County. In short, this beat will place the reporter at the center of multiple, fast-developing stories that each have a major effect on the vitality of the economy in Milwaukee and the state. It differs from other approaches in that it does not focus entirely on one sector of the economy. Rather, the idea is to help capture the changes our region – and its most prominent employers --- are going through, and to help readers understand and navigate that environment.

As such, the successful applicant must be flexible and have a wide-range of experience covering business, as well as a keen eye for identifying the most important stories of the day and the skills to tell those stories in multiple ways and across all platforms. The position will work closely with other reporters in the department, including those focused on the startups/tech economy and workforce needs. This reporter should always operate with an audience-growth mindset and be willing to adapt their approach to meet the needs of readers, be it through style of writing (Q&A, takeaways) or delivery method (video, audio, data visualization).