Sports Columnist

The Post and Courier, South Carolina’s premier news source, is seeking a sports columnist who delivers with impact. What does that mean? Answer: Nobody ever wants to miss what you have to say as you cover our vibrant sports landscape.

Readers may agree with you. They may not. Whatever the case, we want subscribers (and soon-to-be-converted subscribers) to know you’re never boring. We want them to know they can depend on you to bring authority and knowledge to your work. That you report hard to get the facts as you frame your opinions. We need our columnist to be a dynamic, leading presence on the sports scene. And to be a pro, not a jerk with a platform.

You must be a proven journalist who embraces the duo demands of digital and print, and who knows the importance of acting with urgency when big news happens and who has the gift of delivering insightful analysis, powerful storytelling and exclusive enterprise.

In other words, we need you to be great at what you do. And to be a great team player who respects colleagues and works collaboratively. Overall, we want The Post and Courier to be the go-to destination in South Carolina for excellent sports coverage. We need the right columnist on our team.

If you’re hired, you will join an ambitious, Pulitzer Prize-winning environment where talented journalists have the opportunity to pursue the best work of their careers, limited only by their ambition and determination.

The Post and Courier is privately held and is investing in journalism. We began expanding across the state in 2020, seeking to fill a void in news deserts or areas where local news coverage had withered. We are anchored in Charleston but now operate Post and Courier newsrooms in multiple South Carolina cities.

We are a passionate, dedicated, digital-driven organization and seek someone who shares that journalistic passion and commitment to excellence.

Responsibilities

Prepare accurate, fair and carefully researched columns that stand out in the crowded media landscape.
Provide exceptional, engaging writing and storytelling on a wide range of issues, from local sports to colleges and more.
Develop a strong network of sources across the sports scene.
Be versatile – a columnist who like reacting with urgency to breaking stories and is equally comfortable pursuing deeper enterprise columns, profiles and in-depth stories.
Work with the Sports Editor and others in the department to help create a successful, collaborative team.
Demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion in columns and choices of subjects or issues.
Pay attention to metrics and be smart with SEO and social platforms to help grow readership and engagement.

Qualifications

Qualifications

At least five years of sports writing experience, including on beats, and demonstrated history or talent to be a top-end columnist.
Bachelor’s degree or a combination of education and experience.
Thorough knowledge of sports, both in current events and history.
Strong analytical skills and ability to make sound judgments about relevance, accuracy and fairness, particularly on deadline.
Top-notch writing and storytelling skills.
Strong communication skills.
A team-driven approach.