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Writer
Seeking a writer who is relentlessly interested in the world and understands how to engage people
Chicago, IL
Job Description
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is where your world and the world meet. The Council is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that empowers more people to help shape our global future. We are launching an editorial startup team to connect with the next generation of changemakers who want to create a more open and promising world for all. By informing them, inspiring them, and involving them in world affairs, we will support an inclusive community of globally conscious people who want to have a tangible impact. The Council celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2022. Do you want to help shape our next century?
The Role
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is seeking a writer to provide real-time news, explanatory pieces, and insightful analysis for the next generation of changemakers, across a range of topics.
The ideal candidate will be an insatiable news consumer who instinctively knows the topics and takes that people want to read. You will anticipate questions about global affairs and identify distinctive entry points that will engage globally curious readers and give them a first, fresh angle that they want to drop into the group chat. You can capture and keep attention, select and synthesize in a short format, and provide context with clarity. You have a conversational voice that makes people want to sit next to you and hear your running commentary.
You will be attuned to the most pressing global concerns, particularly related to climate, and are able to scour sources – and talk to interesting people – to deliver stories that surprise and delight on a daily basis.
The work will involve reporting and writing for newsletters, a new website, and other platforms, while using best practices to optimize for reach.
This is a collaborative, hands-on team looking for a writer who is relentlessly interested in the world and understands how to engage people in the important global events of the day.
The position is a hybrid role and requires occasional in-person attendance at our Downtown Chicago location based on work activities and peak seasons. The position reports to the Executive Editor.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Qualifications and Skills
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, handicap or disability, marital status, military service or veteran status, genetic information, or for any other reason prohibited by applicable law.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of the Council, and we believe people — their identities, experiences, beliefs, knowledge, and ideas — are critical to our success and to global affairs. We will elevate diverse voices and identities and a full range of perspectives, advance equitable and inclusive access to exploring and shaping ideas, and ensure our organization reflects the diversity of Chicago, our nation, and the world.
To learn more, visit: https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-council
Vaccination Statement
For the safety and well-being of our staff, the Council requires that all prospective employees submit proof of an up-to-date COVID vaccination and booster record or seek a reasonable accommodation for a religious or medical reason prior to their first day of employment.
The Role
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is seeking a writer to provide real-time news, explanatory pieces, and insightful analysis for the next generation of changemakers, across a range of topics.
The ideal candidate will be an insatiable news consumer who instinctively knows the topics and takes that people want to read. You will anticipate questions about global affairs and identify distinctive entry points that will engage globally curious readers and give them a first, fresh angle that they want to drop into the group chat. You can capture and keep attention, select and synthesize in a short format, and provide context with clarity. You have a conversational voice that makes people want to sit next to you and hear your running commentary.
You will be attuned to the most pressing global concerns, particularly related to climate, and are able to scour sources – and talk to interesting people – to deliver stories that surprise and delight on a daily basis.
The work will involve reporting and writing for newsletters, a new website, and other platforms, while using best practices to optimize for reach.
This is a collaborative, hands-on team looking for a writer who is relentlessly interested in the world and understands how to engage people in the important global events of the day.
The position is a hybrid role and requires occasional in-person attendance at our Downtown Chicago location based on work activities and peak seasons. The position reports to the Executive Editor.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Sourcing, curating, and aggregating interesting, important information for a daily newsletter.
- Writing quickly, accurately, and well, with a consistent eye to audience needs, grammar, style, and accessibility.
- Crafting compelling, conversational headlines, optimized to amplify our content’s reach across platforms.
- Relying on news judgment and excellent journalism ethics to surface story ideas, brainstorm angles, and match content to story form.
- Verifying the authenticity of information, sources, photos and video found through social media.
- Collaborating on photos, videos, social media, graphics.
- Using data and analytics to help guide editorial and audience development.
- Taking a forward-looking, lab-like approach to testing new content and engagement ideas intended to build a diverse audience.
- Participating in the team’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
- Fostering cross-team collaborations in support of the Council’s digital transformation objectives and goals.
- Provide support for Council events (virtual, hybrid, or in-person), sometimes requiring early morning or evening hours. Examples may be registrations, ushering, greeting, monitoring social media channels, etc.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree or higher, is preferred
- 2-5 years’ experience in a newsroom or journalistic environment preferred
- Sharp editorial instincts and skills, with a track record in attracting audience
- Comfortable in the principles and practices of digital publishing
- Familiar with interpreting web analytics and newsletter analytics to adapt and improve audience engagement
- Collaborative, with proactive and inclusive interpersonal and communication skills
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, handicap or disability, marital status, military service or veteran status, genetic information, or for any other reason prohibited by applicable law.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of the Council, and we believe people — their identities, experiences, beliefs, knowledge, and ideas — are critical to our success and to global affairs. We will elevate diverse voices and identities and a full range of perspectives, advance equitable and inclusive access to exploring and shaping ideas, and ensure our organization reflects the diversity of Chicago, our nation, and the world.
To learn more, visit: https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-council
Vaccination Statement
For the safety and well-being of our staff, the Council requires that all prospective employees submit proof of an up-to-date COVID vaccination and booster record or seek a reasonable accommodation for a religious or medical reason prior to their first day of employment.
Job Summary
Employment Term and Type
Regular, Full Time
Salary and Benefits
There are many benefits to working at the Council, including a flexible remote/in-office work environment, half-day summer Fridays, paid parental leave, employer-subsidized medical/dental/vision insurance, generous paid time off, retirement match, mobile phone stipend, commuter accessible, fitness center membership, and more.
Required Education
Bachelor's Degree
Required Experience
2 to 5 years
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