Newsletter Writer

Description

The Texas Tribune is seeking a newsletter writer and strategist to lead our flagship newsletters The Brief and The Brief Weekly and oversee fast-moving news coverage for a statewide audience. This role is central to making the Tribune an even more indispensable source of nonpartisan news for Texans. We're looking for a journalist with sharp editorial judgment, a deep understanding of what Texans need to know now, and a strong, accessible writing voice that resonates across the state. A passion for audience engagement and a knack for crafting must-read newsletters are essential.

You should apply if this sounds like you: You get email. Not just how to write one but how to make someone want to open it. You know a good subject line can make all the difference, and you love the challenge of connecting with readers in their inbox. You bring voice, clarity, and empathy to your writing, helping Texans make sense of the news that shapes their lives. You follow politics and policy closely and care deeply about making smart, trustworthy journalism feel approachable and essential. You thrive in a collaborative newsroom environment and find energy in teamwork. 

The Tribune has ambitious plans for our newsletters, aiming to grow our audience, enhance our products, and discover new ways to engage readers in their inboxes. We are seeking someone who is both a strategist and a storyteller, ready to help us think creatively while consistently delivering high-quality journalism. If that sounds like you, we look forward to meeting you!

The salary for this position starts at $65,000, depending on qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Writing The Brief and The Brief Weekly, curating the most important policy and politics news from The Texas Tribune.
• Strategizing how we approach breaking news and enterprise work with email.
• Working closely with fellow newsletter product leaders (The Y’all, The Blast) to shape and guide our collective strategy
• Leveraging analytics to monitor performance and inform newsletter strategy, focusing on open rates, click-throughs, and conversions
• Adjusting writing style and content based on the audience segment
• Ensuring all copy in the newsletter is clean, accurate, and consistent with the newsroom’s voice
• Working closely with the audience and product teams to foster long-term, meaningful relationships with readers
• Helping us grow audiences for Tribune email products
• Developing additional newsletters designed to reach and engage specific audiences

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and 2+ years of relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• A journalist with experience in newsletters, breaking news, or audience engagement who excels in a fast-paced newsroom environment
• Experience producing newsletters in Beehiiv or other email management systems
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment or remotely
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing and meeting deadlines
• Excellent writing, reviewing, and editing skills
• Strong communication and storytelling skills and the ability to research and fact-check information on your own

We know some great candidates won’t check all of these boxes, and we know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. 

Location

The Texas Tribune office is located in downtown Austin, steps away from the Texas Capitol building. We would like the person in this position to be based in Austin, but we will consider candidates who live elsewhere in Texas. We have colleagues in the organization who come into the office regularly and colleagues based in various cities throughout Texas.

Benefits

This job is full-time and has the following benefits:

• Medical, vision and dental insurance
• A cellphone stipend
• 20 days of paid time off each year
• Up to 16 weeks of paid family leave, plus four weeks of additional job protection
• 401(k) matching
• Support for professional training and attending industry conferences
• Remote working flexibility

How to Apply

Submit your application by May 18th with a resume and examples of your work. Also, please submit a cover letter detailing your vision for this position and how you would approach the work. We can't wait to hear from you.

The Texas Tribune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for all, and we encourage applicants of all identities, backgrounds, ages, and abilities to apply. Learn more about The Texas Tribune here.

About The Texas Tribune

Here’s what you should know about the Tribune. From day one, we’ve had disruption, innovation and risk-taking in our DNA. We’re ambitious as all get out but still have the punch-above-your-weight mentality of a scrappy start-up. We believe we can meet the demands of our audience and our own expectations for excellence without breaking the bank — or our staff. We understand not everything is a story for us — we have to make choices — but we’re always looking to expand our boundaries. 

We’re nonprofit because the challenging economic reality for media these days obligates us to find a different way, reliable and sustainable, to fund serious journalism. We’re nonpartisan because we live in the United States of Confirmation Bias — and we don’t need to be part of the problem. We don’t need to be yet another source of information affirming the voices and perspectives that are already in people’s heads. At the same time, nonpartisan is not non-thinking. We call B.S. when B.S. needs to be called.

The Texas Tribune seeks to ensure that its newsroom and its news coverage reflect Texas by including a wide range of perspectives from people of different backgrounds, ideologies and experiences.

Learn more about The Texas Tribune here.