Gannett Co., Inc. is hiring: City Watchdog and Development Reporter in Phoenix

Job description

Posted Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM

|Current Gannett Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through OKTA|

Gannett Co., Inc.

(NYSE: GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities.

We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a scalable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company.

We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve.

Our current portfolio of trusted media brands includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom.

Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, uses innovation and software to enable small and medium-sized businesses to grow, and USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, our events division, creates impactful consumer engagements, promotions, and races.

Gannett open roles are featured on various external job boards.

When applying to a position at Gannett, you should be completing an application onGannett Careers viaDayforce .Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid.

To connect with us, visitwww.gannett.com

The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com, a 2018 Pulitzer Prize winner and part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a reporter to join its newsroom to cover local news, issues and development in metro Phoenix.

We’re looking for a creative and ambitious journalist who demonstrates the skills and empathy to make people and issues come alive.

Our ideal candidate delivers aggressive, forward-looking work that breaks news in local communities, holds public officials to account for their actions and highlights disparities that affect quality of life.

This candidate is a collaborative team player who has the news judgment and vision to shift old narratives, craft a coverage focus and find new ways to engage with our audiences.

The successful candidate must excel at developing professional contacts to gather information.

The reporter must show a keen eye for development issues and important details found in public records.

The reporter must consistently – and persistently – dig below the surface and write with clarity and uncommon skill.

This is not a job where the reporter recounts what happened “at council” today.

It is a job where the reporter will identify trends and hot topics, pivot between different topics and consistently produce content that resonates with our current readers and helps us grow our audience,especially within underserved communities.

The reporter must be attuned to political trends, alliances and influence in polarizing times and deliver coverage that holds public officials accountable and helps readers make informed decisions about their community.

The reporter’s work must spark conversations and action on important issues.

The reporter must work collaboratively and effectively in a team environment and always demonstrate an awareness of and adherence to the highest journalistic ethical standards.

Responsibilities:

• Uses source development, data and document reporting and strategic thinking to identify key issues.
• Offers independent, innovative thinking in shaping coverage of those issues.
• Communicates frequently with the editor to set priorities and deadlines.
• Follows disciplined approach to deliver high-impact work on multiple platforms.
• Uses metrics to gauge audience interests and works to develop coverage plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Demonstrates clear concise writing skills with strong nut graphs and “why this is important to me” content.
• Strategizes and executes distribution and optimization plans for all content.
• Provides great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.
• Develops trusted reputation in niche coverage area.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two years of reporting experience.
• Strong command of AP grammar and style.
• Strong copy-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
• Is passionate and enthusiastic about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
• Is comfortable using social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat to enhance reporting and promote stories.
• Understands reporting ethics and sourcing.
• Excels in a fast-paced news environment and understands the digital first mission.
• Works weekends and nights as needed.
• Collaborates well with others and can work with a team on the biggest stories.
• Must be willing to travel on short notice to cover breaking news events.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Application Instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role.

When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done.

To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

• Your resume – one to two pages.
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
• Links to 3-6 online samples of your work.
  
  Show us what best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format.

Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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Gannett Co., Inc.

is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce.

As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where Gannett employs employees.

In addition, Gannett Co., Inc.

will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with Gannett Co., Inc.

Applicants who require such accommodation should contact Gannett Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at Recruit@gannett.com.

Required Skill Profession

Media And Communication Workers