Higher Education Reporter

The News & Observer is looking for a high-energy, curious, self-starting higher education reporter to uncover what’s happening and hold leaders accountable at North Carolina’s colleges and universities, both public and private.

This reporter will be the face of The News & Observer’s higher education coverage and our readers’ expert guide to higher education in the Research Triangle region.

Higher education is foundational to the economy and culture of the Triangle. The area is home to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University, Duke University and other schools. It also hosts corporate and nonprofit organizations whose strength depends on the local research universities.

The N&O has a responsibility and a mandate from our readers to uncover wrongdoing and abuses of power and to explain the impact of those actions on our communities. As a member of the N&O’s politics team, this reporter will work closely with reporters and editors who cover the state and federal governments to uncover the connections between politics and higher education. To do so, this reporter will break news, investigate tips, build sources, mine data and relentlessly seek out public records.

Examples of this work include:

• Analyzing how government funding cuts and stagnant tuition drive financial strain, program reductions and campus layoffs at state universities.
• Covering campus battles over free speech and academic freedom, and the ramifications for faculty, students and university policies.
• Explaining how federal and state policy shifts are reshaping institutional independence, funding priorities and approaches to DEI in higher education.

We expect this reporter to be, first and foremost, of service to our audiences: those living and working in and around these institutions, getting an education or saving for one. These readers need journalism that starts with them. We’re looking for a reporter who will treat community engagement as central to the job — showing up, actively listening and creating coverage that reflects real concerns.

Examples of this work include:

• Using callouts and other tools to hear directly from readers about what they’d like to see covered next. 
• Engaging with members of The N&O’s subscriber base in virtual and live events.
• Writing a regular newsletter that builds trust and engagement with readers.
• Appearing in and shooting video to be used across The N&O’s social media accounts. 

We’re looking for a reporter with a knack for finding the issues and stories that matter to our readers. That requires active community listening, relentless sourcing and smart data analysis.

This reporter will also be expected to take advantage of opportunities to harness and leverage artificial intelligence and other automation to enhance and elevate their work and to find efficiencies that free them to focus on source-building and high quality, deeply reported local journalism.

Our journalists work in communities with vibrant choices for foodies, arts and music lovers, and outdoors enthusiasts. The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill region is among the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation. Known as the Triangle, the area is home to major universities, state government, numerous corporate headquarters and fast-growing startups. And North Carolina’s long coastline and dramatic Appalachian Mountains are only car rides away.

To apply, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your best work.

What you'll bring:

Must have:

• Strong writing skills and excellent news judgment.
• Deep knowledge of higher education and how it connects to the Triangle.
• An unwavering commitment to accurate, ethical journalism.
• An understanding of public records laws and how to use them.
• Experience building a strong network of sources to pursue stories that will reach a broad audience.
• An interest in telling stories using a variety of media and engagement tools, and an enthusiasm for learning new skills and technologies.

Nice to have:

• Fluency in the science of readership and engagement, including an understanding of analytics, SEO and other audience optimization tactics.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and the ability to take and give constructive criticism.
• Ability to work nimbly in a job that will be fast-paced and data-driven, shaped constantly by feedback and experimentation and always evolving.
• Bachelor's degree, ideally in journalism, or the equivalent education, experience, skills and knowledge needed to perform the responsibilities of the position. 
• A track record for innovation, learning and using new skills and technologies, especially AI.
• At least 3 years related experience and/or training.

What we’ll bring:

As a journalist at Mc Clatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. Mc Clatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on health, well-being, wealth and daily life, our package options include healthcare coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends.

Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. With an excellent support team and with focus on your well-being as a top corporate strategy, Mc Clatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on Mc Clatchy's benefit plan, please visit Mc Clatchy Livewell.com.

About the Mc Clatchy Media Company

The Mc Clatchy Media Company features a portfolio of vibrant and trusted news, lifestyle, entertainment brands and a robust retail distribution network. Our iconic local news brands such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star and The Sacramento Bee have collectively earned a total of 57 Pulitzer Prizes and are complemented by popular lifestyle and entertainment brands such as Us Weekly and Woman’s World. Together, our brands reach more than 100 million unique visitors a month. The Mc Clatchy Retail Network, our distribution and logistics arm, offers delivery to more than 56,000 retail locations weekly.

Salary/Compensation: $26.92 - $32.69 per hour

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