**Job Description** **_Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are at the core of our mission to strengthen and empower the communities we serve._** **MLive Media Group** is seeking a talented **Sports Reporter to cover the Flint area** . The Sports Reporter will report and produce sports stories for various platforms, and act as an expert and discussion leader on high-value sports that are important to the community, meeting audience demand for immediacy, depth, and engagement. Areas of coverage emphasis include analysis and telling the “why” of what is happening versus just the “what” is happening. We want someone who will look beyond the games and tell the stories of the teams, the athletes and the fan base in creative ways. The ideal candidate will have a firm grasp on sports and feature writing, solid interviewing skills and productive work ethic. Video and photography experience a must as is experience working on multiple social media platforms. Here’s why you’ll want to work with us: + We are the state’s largest media organization with newspapers in eight of Michigan’s largest cities, including Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Muskegon in West Michigan. We routinely score No. 1 in national audience metrics, guaranteeing that our work reaches millions of readers and has maximum impact. + Our mission is journalism that makes a difference in the lives of Michiganders. We strive to hold powerful leaders accountable and tell the stories of our communities. + Our team of journalists are among the best in the state, including a Pulitzer Prize finalist and a Michigan journalist of the year. We routinely win top prizes for investigative journalism, public service and enterprise reporting. + As part of our commitment to professional development, you will have the opportunity to work with talented editors who will help you grow and fine-tune your skills. The base salary range is $45,000 to $50,000 per year. **The ideal candidate will have:** + Degree in Journalism or Communications or related field, or equivalent experience. + Minimum of 2 years of journalism experience with a proven ability in reporting and writing required. + Proven experience building, maintaining, and engaging an active audience. + Ability to work independently under deadline pressure and prioritize tasks appropriately. + Demonstrated reporting, writing and organizational skills. + Solid understanding of news writing, journalistic ethics and story structure. + Understanding of search engine optimization practices. + Experience with using social media to source and promote content. + Demonstrated ability to capitalize on high-value topics by engaging audiences frequently. + Understanding of the methods and tools used to deliver content across a variety of platforms such as web content management systems, blogging tools and social media platforms. + Mastery of social media and digital interaction. + Proven ability to utilize a broad set of tools to tell stories and engage the audience. + Understanding of audience metrics and proven ability to leverage them to make choices about coverage. + Ability to leverage relationships with sources to deliver content that differentiates the organization from competitors. + Ability to work independently and remotely, and effectively collaborate with team members and managers wherever they are. + Ability to work flexible schedules, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed. + This job requires reliable transportation to meet with sources and cover events. **Additional Information** Advance Local Media offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package with affordable options for your healthcare including medical, dental and vision plans, mental health support options, flexible spending accounts, fertility assistance, a competitive 401(k) plan to help plan for your future, generous paid time off, paid parental and caregiver leave and an employee assistance program to support your work/life balance, optional legal assistance, life insurance options, as well as flexible holidays to honor cultural diversity. MLive Media Group is a part of Advance Local Media, one of the largest media groups in the United States, which operates the leading news and information companies in more than 20 cities, reaching 52+ million people monthly with our quality, real-time journalism and community engagement. Our company is built upon the values of Integrity, Customer-first, Inclusiveness, Collaboration and Forward-looking. For more information about Advance Local, please visit www.advancelocal.com . MLive Media Group is an audience-first, digitally focused media company encompassing all content, sales and marketing operations for: MLive.com, The Grand Rapids Press, The Muskegon Chronicle, Kalamazoo Gazette, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, The Ann Arbor News, The Flint Journal, The Saginaw News, The Bay City Times and the Advance Weeklies in Grand Rapids, as well as several related entities. In addition to being Michigan's #1 news and information provider, MLive Media Group is Michigan's largest local media advertising network, allowing advertisers to reach local audiences in communities across the state. _Advance Local Media is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state or local law._ _If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information._ Advance Local Media does not provide sponsorship for work visas or employment authorization in the United States. Only candidates who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. will be considered for this position.