Midwest Correspondent, National

thenewyorktimes

Chicago, IL; United States · Chicago

Posted Jul 24, 2026

Other
Remote
Reporting

Job description

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for.

The New York Times National desk is seeking an ambitious and creative correspondent to cover the Midwest, working closely with the Chicago Bureau Chief.

You are well-sourced in the state and should be experienced covering everything that makes the region tick – including its people, politics, identity, eccentricities and weather. You have a strong understanding of the region and can unearth revealing and surprising stories for readers in the area and beyond.

You write quickly, clearly and accurately on deadline. Writing in a variety of formats and embracing new forms of storytelling is essential.

This is a remote position based in the Midwest.

Responsibilities:

You will produce a portfolio of work that ranges from breaking news stories to enterprise, accountability pieces and scoops, and embraces a variety of story formats and collaborations — that as a body of work help readers understand your region.
You will actively seek out newsworthy events, identify relevant sources, and conduct thorough research to gather information.
You will write clear, concise, and engaging news stories that adhere to journalistic style guidelines.
You will cultivate a deep source network of authorities, politicians, sheriffs, union reps, cultural figures, law enforcement, agency representatives and beyond – positioning yourself to tap a source in a given news moment, from scoops to interviews and real-time updates. You'll also discern which stories to write to further develop and engage your sources.
You will monitor news and deliver a steady stream of story ideas that help explain the region.
You will write with authority, clarity, and independence.
You will brainstorm and develop ideas with colleagues in your region or on adjacent beats, initiate collaborations when opportunities arise, and keep in regular contact with your fellow reporters and editors.
Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
You will report to a National Editor.

Basic Qualifications:

5+ years' experience at a journalism or media company or other relevant organization
Experience working in high-pressure, deadline-driven newsrooms
Strong reporting and writing skills that demonstrate mastery of journalistic style and standards, including ethical and superb news judgment
A portfolio that includes politics, news, enterprise and analysis

Preferred Qualifications:

A strong understanding of Times style and standards
A willingness to be flexible as the newsroom's needs evolve

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.

REQ-020382

Additional Compensation and Benefits

For roles in the U.S., dependent on your role, you may be eligible for variable pay, such as an annual bonus and restricted stock. Benefits may include medical, dental and vision benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (F.S.A.s), a company-matching 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plan, paid vacation, paid sick days, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement and professional development programs.

For roles outside of the U.S., information on benefits will be provided during the interview process.

The annual base pay range for this role is between:

$124,979.94—$160,000 USD

Candidate Use of GenAI Tools:

We’re excited to learn more about you and your experience. To keep our hiring process as fair and authentic as possible, we ask that you submit your own work and not use GenAI tools to generate substantive content during the application and interview process.

If you’re an engineering candidate, we’ll let you know what specific GenAI tools you are permitted to use for your technical assessment.

The New York Times Company is committed to being the world’s best source of independent, reliable and quality journalism. To do so, we embrace a diverse workforce that has a broad range of backgrounds and experiences across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)’s Know Your Rights Poster is available here.

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