Opinion Columnist — The Tennessean
On-siteNashville, Tennessee, United States
Job Summary
Write compelling, timely opinion columns for The Tennessean covering politics, growth, education, and civic issues in Nashville and Tennessee. Develop a distinctive voice grounded in facts, rigorous analysis, and original reporting supported by data, public records, and interviews. Respond quickly to breaking news and public policy debates while producing enterprise commentary that holds institutions accountable. Build and maintain a broad network of sources across government, business, and community sectors. Engage readers through digital storytelling, newsletters, and social media. Collaborate with editors and visual journalists to maximize reach while representing the Opinion team professionally in public forums. Adhere to strict standards for accuracy, ethics, and fair sourcing.
Required Qualifications
- At least five years of journalism experience
- Exceptional writing, editing, reporting and analytical skills
- Demonstrated ability to form clear, defensible arguments supported by facts, context and independent reporting
- Deep knowledge of Nashville, Middle Tennessee or Tennessee
- Strong news judgment and the ability to identify issues that matter to local readers and subscribers
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, digital-first newsroom with daily and weekly deadlines
- Experience using audience data, search insights and social listening to inform coverage decisions without compromising editorial independence
- Fluency with social media as a reporting, engagement and distribution tool
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams while maintaining an independent, distinctive voice
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience
Desired Qualifications
- Experience covering local or state politics, public policy, growth and development, education, criminal justice, culture or economic opportunity
- A track record of columns or essays that drove community conversation, accountability, reader engagement or measurable digital audience growth
- Experience with newsletters, podcasts, video commentary, live events or other audience-centered formats
- Ability to write across a range of tones, from urgent analysis to explanatory commentary to reflective civic essays
- Familiarity with Tennessee's political, cultural and demographic landscape
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