Senior Writer, Race and Equity

The Guardian is a global news organization that delivers fearless, independent journalism. From breaking news and award-winning investigations, to in-depth coverage of technology, sports, film, culture and lifestyle, the Guardian offers a global view that deepens our audiences' understanding of America and the world.

Headquartered in New York City, Guardian US is an entirely digital operation that seeks to engage US readers by combining the Guardian's international coverage with US voices and expertise. Core coverage areas include the climate emergency, economic and racial inequality, digital privacy and much more. Guardian US launched in 2011 and today has bureaus in New York, Washington DC, New Orleans and Los Angeles. The Guardian is an independently owned, mission-driven organization, funded by readers around the globe.

It's the talent, energy and commitment our people bring to The Guardian that make us who we are. Across our business we have some of the most creative thinkers in media and beyond: award winning journalists, cutting edge commercial teams, digital talent and more.
We are now looking for a Senior Writer, Race and Equity.

The purpose of this role will be to write features on race, American culture, and identity for a national and global audience.

Department: Editorial

Reports to: Deputy editor, race and equity

Location: United States (New York prefered)

Hybrid/Remote/In-Person: Hybrid or Remote (if based outside of NYC)

Terms and conditions: Full-time, Permanent, News & Media Guild Role

Annual salary range: $122,000 - 130,000

About the role

Title: Senior writer, race and equity

This writer will tackle big cultural moments and national stories that speak to the American consciousness and provide deep analysis about race. This person is an experienced, stylish feature writer with a point of view and a knack for spotting original, inventive stories that Guardian US can own. They will write about big issues with heft and authority, and also, when appropriate, with levity and a sense of fun and humor. 

This writer will work on ambitious projects that dissect issues of cultural identity and examine human behavior. They will be responsible for long-form features, as well as quick-turn pieces that respond to cultural and sociopolitical moments in the form of essays, analysis and commentary. We're looking for someone keen on exploring the full spectrum of life in America for people of color. They are obsessed with extrapolating deeper meaning from the cultural zeitgeist and are genuinely curious about the ways American society is shaped by race. 

Successful candidates are enterprising, ambitious, and brimming with ideas that extend beyond the news cycle. They are eager to produce the stories that no one else is writing.

Ultimately, the desk seeks to expand the way we think about race, equity and culture. We want Guardian US to become a place where Americans go to see themselves reflected, to answer questions about their interior lives, and to better understand how culture is created at the quotidian, personal level. The way people of color, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and women live, interact with each other, respond to institutional systems, and develop social codes and mores is central to our work.

Key responsibilities

• Generate sharp, original ideas for a range of fast, medium, and slow feature stories, and enterprise series and projects 
• Write creative, thoughtful pieces that help expand the race and equity desk’s coverage of communities and culture 
• Attend daily newsroom meetings and bimonthly team meetings, contributing to group discussions and helping the desk identify journalistic priorities
• Collaborate with editors and the audience engagement team to develop outreach strategies for stories, including creating multimedia and social media content 

Key relationships

• Deputy editor, race and equity; senior reporter, race and equity; reporter, race and equity

About you

• At least 7-10 years of experience writing and reporting feature stories
• A skilled, elevated writer who consistently delivers clean copy
• Have a deep understanding of issues pertaining to race, gender, and societal culture, and a track record of in-depth features on these matters
• Have an intuitive sense of what makes a story unputdownable 
• A curious, idea-driven thinker, able to extract big-picture theses out of the news cycle
• A collegial and energetic team player who likes collaboration and brainstorming
• Know how to tap into the zeitgeist and reach wide audiences, especially people of color
   

How to apply

We know there are great candidates who might not check all these boxes or who possess important skills we haven't thought of. If that's you, we encourage you to apply and tell us about yourself.

All candidates interested in applying should upload a resume and cover letter.

We value honesty in your application. AI generated content must not be presented as your own work. Please review our guidance on the use of AI in your application here.

All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Please email the recruiter listed on the job posting or at [email protected] to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.

Compensation and benefits

• 25 days of vacation leave in addition to 12 company holidays

• Unlimited sick time

• Free Headspace subscription for you and your family members(Headspace is a company that offers evidence-based meditation and mindfulness tools, mental health coaching, therapy, psychiatry, and EAP services)

• 401(k) Match

• Subsidized healthcare coverage including medical, vision, and dental

• Medical and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts

• Generous parental leave with 100% pay

• Long Term and Short Term Disability insurance

• Life insurance

• Commuter benefits

• Work/Life balance: Flexible hybrid schedule
   

Culture & wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. You will also have the opportunity to hear unique insight from our journalists in our morning conference, a live discussion on the news story of the day.

We offer great tools to help you prioritize your wellbeing including a free Headspace subscription and access to an Employee Assistance Program.

Learning & development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.

Sustainability

Our goal is to become an environmentally regenerative company and we have signed up to a sustainability vision and strategy to reach it. Find more information about sustainability at GNM here.

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The Guardian is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, the Guardian will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

We value and respect all differences (seen and unseen) in all people at the Guardian. We aspire to have inclusive working experiences and an environment that reflects the audience we serve, where our people have equal access to career development opportunities, their voices are heard and can contribute to our future.