Staff Writer (Toronto)

ZoomerMedia Limited; Toronto; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Growth opportunities

Hybrid work environment

Benefits after 3 months

Job summary

ZoomerMedia Limited is seeking an experienced digital reporter with a passion for local journalism in the Greater Toronto Area. You will cover news, lifestyle, and culture, producing written and visual content for blogTO and CMG properties.

You're comfortable working on camera, pitching ideas, and collaborating with editors. Hybrid work and a supportive team environment are offered while maintaining high journalistic standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a digital reporter with a strong local focus.
• Ability to pitch compelling stories and meet daily deadlines.
• Comfort reporting on a range of topics with strong written and visual storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Report on news and lifestyle stories in an entertaining and timely manner daily.
• Publish posts from breaking news to local politics, including photo/video content.
• Use analytics to tailor story ideas and drive discussions in Toronto.
• Collaborate with editors and producers to plan coverage.
• Monitor trends on social media and adapt coverage accordingly.
• Conduct interviews and attend events for in-depth reporting.
• Schedule weekend content for blogTO as needed.
• Stay informed about culture and current events in Toronto and beyond.
• Maintain high ethical standards and credibility in all work.
• Capture quality photos and vertical videos when required.

Skills

Digital reporting

Story pitching

On-camera presence

SEO writing

Social media savvy

Tools

Django CMS

Job description

Who We Are

ZoomerMedia owns and operates media across all platforms — TV, radio, print and digital — through leading brands: blogTO, Daily Hive, Curiocity, The Peak, MobileSyrup, Vision TV, The New Classical 96.3 FM, Zoomer Radio, Zoomer Magazine, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), and more. Founded by television and media icon Moses Znaimer in 2008, Zoomer is a multiplatform media company devoted to creating content and experiences for Canada's most powerful audiences: the 18.1 million people aged 45-plus aka "Zoomers", and the 15.1 million Millennials and Gen Zs, coincidentally also called Zoomers, who follow in their footsteps.

Curiocity Media Group (CMG)

Part of ZoomerMedia, CMG is one of Canada’s leading digital media publishers, helping millions of people discover the best of their city and beyond through engaging, hyper-local content and brand partnerships. We combine editorial excellence, data-driven storytelling, and a distinctly fun, approachable voice to deliver campaigns that perform for both clients and audiences.

Who You Are

You are an experienced digital reporter and storyteller with a passion for local journalism. You have an expert knowledge of the Greater Toronto Area and an insatiable curiosity to discover what’s new and to report on people, places and stories not covered by other media. You’re comfortable reporting on a wide range of topics such as local news, lifestyle and culture that includes but is not exclusive to: breaking news, housing and real estate, events, food and restaurants, nightlife, shopping, local travel and outdoors and the history of the city.

What You'll Do

• Report on news and lifestyle stories in an entertaining and timely manner every day, sometimes breaking at any moment
• Publish posts ranging from breaking news stories to local politics to development to more simple photo/video posts
• Use analytics to pitch story ideas that are compelling and will drive conversation in Toronto
• Work with team members on story producing and prioritize coverage/stories.
• Follow viral and emerging trends on media and social media
• Conduct necessary research required to produce content, which may include but is not limited to conducting interviews and attending events
• Work ahead to schedule weekend content for blogTO
• Attend editorial team meetings and pitch feasible story ideas.
• Keep up-to-date with news and events happening around the country and contribute to the conversation about culture in Toronto.
• Increase credibility of the company through quality, trustworthy, and ethical work.
• Capture quality photos and vertical video clips for accompanying articles, as needed.
• Monitor engagement of articles and accept feedback from the editorial team in order to make necessary improvements or adjustments to work.
• Other tasks, as required by your manager.
• experience with being on camera is an asset
• Experience managing multiple projects at once Is an asset
• Being able to identify exciting stories that can be presented in both a written and visual medium
• Experience with Instagram is an asset

What You Have

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in the use of Django or other CMS platforms
• Understanding of social media and SEO and their importance to publishing
• Skilled with photography, and photo editing is an asset
• Ability to efficiently and effectively proofread and edit content.

What We Offer

• Flexible paid time off policy to ensure you're able to get the break you need and work at an optimized level.
• Opportunity for both professional and personal growth.
• Hybrid work environment.
• Benefits package including dental, vision, and extended health starting after 3 months.

We are committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process. ZoomerMedia does not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or make decisions regarding candidates — all applications are reviewed by our Human Resources team.

This is an existing position within the organization.

ZoomerMedia Limited is an organization that values creativity, innovative thinking, inclusion and diversity. We offer a great opportunity to work alongside passionate and intelligent individuals, and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require accommodations during the selection process, please contact us at [e-mail].