Trending Writer

MBO Partners; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Sick Leave (if eligible)

Flexible work environment

Job summary

A leading media company is seeking an experienced Trending Writer to support their fast-paced digital newsroom in Washington, D.C. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of writing experience and will be adept at identifying and reporting on trending topics. Responsibilities include pitching timely story ideas, producing clear, engaging articles, and collaborating with various editorial teams. This role requires excellent writing skills and the ability to work under tight deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional writing and reporting experience, ideally in media or digital organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality content under tight deadlines.
• Experience working independently in a remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify trending news stories and emerging topics for a broad audience.
• Pitch timely story ideas based on news cycles and audience interest.
• Report and write original articles on quick turnaround timelines.

Skills

Strong general-assignment reporting skills

Excellent writing, editing, and headline-writing skills

Familiarity with AP style

Experience interviewing sources

Ability to produce high-quality content under tight deadlines

Comfort learning and working within complex publishing systems

Tools

Content management system (CMS)

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Trending Writer to support a fast-paced digital newsroom environment focused on timely, high-interest content. This role is ideal for a strong general-assignment writer with excellent news judgment who can identify trending stories, report quickly, and produce polished, engaging content on tight deadlines. The ideal contractor is comfortable covering a wide range of topics including entertainment, health, finance, and lifestyle and thrives in an environment that values speed, accuracy, editorial standards, and adaptability.

Availability required for daily 9:30 AM ET meeting and weekly Thursday 2:00 PM ET meeting.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify trending news stories and emerging topics relevant to a broad consumer audience
• Pitch timely story ideas based on news cycles, cultural moments, and audience interest
• Report and write original articles on quick turnaround timelines (typically within 24–48 hours)
• Conduct basic reporting, including interviewing sources, contacting companies, and confirming facts
• Write clear, engaging articles typically ranging from 500–1,000 words
• Collaborate with editors across multiple newsroom teams depending on the subject matter
• Publish and update content using a content management system (CMS)
• Navigate and manage content workflows and approvals within a structured publishing environment
• Adhere to editorial standards, including AP style and internal style guidelines
• Participate in required editorial meetings, including a daily morning meeting and weekly staff meetings
• Fast, responsive writing cadence aligned with daily news cycles
• Ability to produce approximately one story per day during peak periods (with flexibility based on news volume)
• Focus on clear, accessible reporting rather than deep investigative journalism
• Strong emphasis on accuracy, clarity, and audience relevance

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional writing and reporting experience, ideally within a major media, digital, or editorial organization
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality content on tight deadlines
• Strong general-assignment reporting skills across multiple topic areas
• Proven experience interviewing sources and conducting basic media outreach
• Excellent writing, editing, and headline-writing skills
• Familiarity with AP style and adherence to editorial standards
• Experience working in a content management system (CMS)
• Comfort learning and working within complex publishing and workflow systems
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while collaborating cross-functionally

Preferred / Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience covering a variety of beats (e.g., entertainment, health, finance, lifestyle)
• Familiarity with content planning or tracking tools (e.g., Workfront or similar systems)
• Background writing for large, consumer-focused audiences
• Strong editorial judgment and a “nose for news”

Eligibility Requirements

• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.
• As a contractor, including remote contractors, you may be required to complete a background check.

As a contractor, you will be paid for the time you work; this does not include paid time off (PTO) or holidays. If you participate in our Payroll Services (W2) engagement, you may be eligible for Paid Sick Leave (PSL), depending on your work location and state-specific regulations.