Retail Reporter

The Minnesota Star Tribune is an innovative modern media organization building on an extraordinary 157-year legacy. With seven Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other accolades, we stand as a beacon of journalistic excellence in Minnesota. Together, we are the heart and voice of the north.

Our mission is to build a better Minnesota by connecting us with the people, ideas, and stories that strengthen our communities. We're seeking dynamic leaders who are passionate about journalism and democracy to help shape this future. If you are excited about reinventing one of our state's most trusted institutions and leading us into a new era of growth and excellence, we want to hear from you.

Job summary: Retail Reporter

We are seeking a highly motivated reporter to elevate coverage on one of The Minnesota Star Tribune's marquee beats, one that consistently draws some of our largest and most engaged audiences.

Target, the nation's seventh-largest retailer, and Best Buy, one of the nation's largest specialty chains, are both headquartered here and rank among the region's largest private employers. Southdale, the nation's first enclosed mall, opened in Minnesota nearly 50 years ago, and just 8 miles away is one of the nation's largest - the Mall of America. Competition for Minnesotans' food dollars is also notably fierce, with several locally owned grocery store chains fighting it out against the likes of Target and Walmart, Aldi and Hy-Vee.

You will succeed on this beat by breaking news about the operations, strategy, finances, leadership and impact of these companies, and by your ability to spot smart, human-centered and agenda-setting enterprise about how they are responding to changing consumer habits, competition and other economic and market forces.

You will:

• Be enterprising and entrepreneurial. Our readers most value news and insightful reporting not seen elsewhere. Staying informed about issues such as pricing and inflation, competition, trade, emerging trends, and consumer and worker rights trends will result in the timely, smart beat enterprise that readers prize.
• Collaborate with other reporters in Business, your editors and other news leaders to determine daily, weekly and ongoing coverage strategies across multiple platforms.
• Leverage other mediums, such as audio and video, to reach wide audiences.
• Collaborate with your editors and the Audience team to build avenues for engagement and amplification of your work and The Minnesota Star Tribune.
• Work regularly from The Minnesota Star Tribune's downtown headquarters.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in journalism or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.
• A portfolio of published work demonstrating solid news judgment, deep reporting, engaging writing and comfort with a broad range of topics.
• A solid grasp of data and analysis tools, and state and federal data practices statutes.
• An ability to connect with sources and subjects from diverse backgrounds and include overlooked or ignored viewpoints.
• High standards and a commitment to fairness and accuracy.
• The ability to multitask and juggle priorities on deadline.
• A commitment to the Star Tribune's standards, mission and values, including journalism that reflects the diversity of Minnesota and The Minnesota Star Tribune's audience.

Pay for this position starts at $81,026 a year, based on the A4-scale level in the contract of the Minnesota Newspaper and Communications Guild.

To apply:
Please upload a resume and brief memo summarizing how you would approach the job.

Questions? Contact Business Editor Kristen Painter, kristen.painter@startribune.com

More about the Minnesota Star Tribune:

At the Minnesota Star Tribune, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to their happiness, growth, and well-being. Here's a snapshot of the exceptional benefits we offer:

• Modern Downtown Office: Enjoy a state-of-the-art workspace with a free fitness center, collaborative center, golf simulator, and a rooftop patio.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Includes commuting subsidy, medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Wellness & Work-Life Balance: Participate in our wellness program with financial incentives, generous paid time off, flexible holidays, one volunteer day, and two wellness days.
• Financial & Family Support: Benefit from a 401(k) with company match, paid parental and caregiving leave, hybrid work arrangements, and tuition reimbursement.
• Additional Perks: Access to an employee assistance program, pet insurance, flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts.

Honored in 2023 with Diversity MBA's inaugural Top 25 Outstanding Leadership and Diversity Impact Awards, we are proud of our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Even if you don't meet every single requirement for this role, we encourage you to apply. At the Minnesota Star Tribune, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.