Associate Editor, Midwest, Eater

Eater is looking for an experienced reporter and editor to contribute news stories, reports, and maps to the Midwest region, encompassing sites in Chicago, Twin Cities, and Detroit. They will assist the regional editor and editor in setting the tone for the region, helping to capture the breadth and depth of the dining scene in key cities with an eye for diverse voices, cuisines, and neighborhoods. The person in the role will be tenacious in breaking news, tracking restaurants through their full life-cycle, and bring a sharp tastemaking sensibility to Eater’s service maps and guides. The associate editor should come with an avalanche of fresh ideas to make Eater Chicago, Eater Twin Cities, and Eater Detroit must-read publications for dining enthusiasts. 

This role is based in the Chicago metro area.

WHO WE ARE

Eater, the national food publication with outlets across the country, is at the forefront of reporting on the restaurant industry, shaping food culture with its award-winning journalism and programming, and telling people where to eat with its beloved maps and guides.

Eater is part of Vox Media, the leading modern media company. We guide our audience from discovery to obsession. We inspire essential conversations about what’s now, what’s next, and what’s possible.

As a community of journalists and storytellers, business professionals, creators and technologists, we believe it is a moral and business imperative to amplify voices: to cultivate diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our organization and media. This applies to our candidates, our teams, our storytelling, our creative work, and our platforms, products, and partnerships.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Offer expertise and insight into the food and restaurant culture across the Midwest region
• Contribute to daily news stories, in-depth features, and service-oriented pieces such as maps and guides
• Assist with the execution of various social media accounts on X, Facebook, Instagram, as well as newsletters, keeping in line with Eater's standards
• Assist with the editing of freelancers and peers as needed 
• Ensure all posts are SEO optimized and that headlines meet our standards
• Track openings and develop sources including chefs, restaurateurs, and relevant spokespeople across the wider Midwest region
• Assist with various other editorial duties as needed
• Participate in cross-brand promotional efforts and collaboration with the national Eater.com team as communicated by other team managers
• Appear on panels, radio, and other public appearances as appropriate for the brand

WHO YOU ARE

• Experience in journalism, particularly with breaking daily news, developing sources, covering a beat, and editing other writers
• Ability to pivot nimbly, managing multiple assignments across the Midwest region
• A sense of urgency surrounding the fast pace of digital news, and the ability to quickly execute insightful service content 
• Comfort with tastemaking and asserting an authoritative voice about restaurants across a particular region
• Attention to detail, news judgment, story packaging, and careful eye for accuracy
• Interest in digital headline writing, analytics, and social media publishing
• Great communication skills and the ability to maintain focus in a high-volume, remote work environment
• A love for restaurants and knowledge of the regional scene and at the very least a voracious hunger to become an expert in the industry
• Ability to adapt and strategize using data-driven tools and feedback 
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to the demands of a changing media market 

Bonus points for: 

• Expertise covering the Chicago area and access to a car or comfort taking public transportation
• Experience with managing and editing freelancers
• Experience covering business, real estate, the restaurant industry, or legal matters
• Experience with photography and article layout
• Experience with writing and/or editing long-lead, high-touch feature stories

If you think you have what it takes, but don't meet every single point in our job posting, please apply with a cover letter to let us know how you believe you can bring your unique skills to the Vox Media team or get in touch! We would love to have a chat and see if you could be a great addition to our team.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

This job is remote, based in Chicago, IL.

Want to know more about what working at Eater is like, or have q’s not answered here? Check out our extensive FAQ.

WHY VOX MEDIA?WHAT WE OFFER

This is a permanent, full-time position. This job is benefits-eligible. We pride ourselves in providing comprehensive benefits to support all of our employees wherever they are in life. You can find more information about our benefits here.

This role is a part of the Vox Media Union, represented by the Writers Guild of America, East

OUR DEI+ COMMITMENT

Vox Media is committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can show up as their authentic selves and create their best work. We recognize that great stories, platforms, products and services come from people with all manner of backgrounds and experiences. We recognize that our commitments require ongoing work and sustained attention, as well as adaptation to new insights and best practices. We keep our diversity data public for the sake of accountability, transparency and communication. Learn more about our values here, and our approach to corporate citizenship here. 

Vox Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer and qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, national origin, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. Vox Media will also consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable Fair Chance laws. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations as part of the application process to candidates with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact our People & Culture team ([email protected]).

WHAT COMES NEXT

Our recruiting team will go through applications in a timely manner. Please note that our recruiting team will only contact you from @voxmedia.com email addresses, never via text message. Read more about how our recruiting team operates, and how to protect yourself from recruitment fraud, here.