Higher education Jobs in Cary, NC

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 :

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 :

Nice to have :

What we'll bring :

As a journalist at McClatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. McClatchy 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, McClatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on McClatchy's benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com.

About the McClatchy Media Company

The McClatchy 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 McClatchy Retail Network, our distribution and logistics arm, offers delivery to more than 56,000 retail locations weekly.

#LI-RH1

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.