Pop Music Critic

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Office: New York, NY

Department: Reporting

Job Description

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The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for.

About The Role

The New York Times Culture desk aims to be the preeminent destination for pop music coverage. Through our reporting, criticism and service journalism, we publish illuminating and memorable pieces that offer trusted guidance to help people live fuller, more considered lives.

The Times is seeking a multifaceted critic with deep knowledge and expertise, a discerning eye and a lively writing style who can enrich readers' understanding and appreciation of pop music, which includes pop, hip-hop, country, rock, Latin music, Afrobeats and beyond. You should be able to write reviews, newsy essays and appraisals of notable people that speak to a national and global audience. We are looking for someone who can make the world of pop accessible to general audiences while also producing criticism that engages and delights experts and aficionados. You will help readers learn about the most important artists and acts across the country and world. And you will deepen their understanding of the leading performers, songwriters and producers who bring pop music to life.

You should be a dynamic, digital-first writer who understands the national and global audience for pop music criticism. You should be eager to embrace new story forms with strong visual, audio and video components. In addition to engaging with readers, you should be ready to employ different platforms, and enjoy collaborating with a large team of writers and editors across all disciplines and in other areas of the department and newsroom.

This is an in-office position, based in New York City, and includes regular attendance in the office four days each week. There may be some flexibility to work remotely per your departmental guidance.

Responsibilities

• Regularly write reviews on deadline.
• Write critic's notebooks, appraisals and other features, some based on the news and requiring a quick turnaround.
• Routinely use alternate story formats and multimedia as part of your work and criticism.
• Participate in audio and video storytelling, such as joining in podcasts and delivering criticism on camera.
• Write service-oriented pieces that draw on your critical insights.
• Travel to regional and international hubs as part of coverage.
• During awards season, take part in conversations and other live coverage efforts as needed.
• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
• You will report to the Pop Music Editor.
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of journalism experience, including experience working as a music critic on deadline.
• Knowledge of contemporary pop, global traditions and pop history.
• Demonstrated ability to cover everything from stadium acts to indie shows and performances streaming online.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• A passion for the mission and values of The Times.
• A lively writing style.
  
  

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.

REQ-018881

The annual base pay range for this role is between:

$124,979.94—$170,000 USD

The New York Times Company is committed to being the world’s best source of independent, reliable and quality journalism. To do so, we embrace a diverse workforce that has a broad range of backgrounds and experiences across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)’s Know Your Rights Poster is available here.

The New York Times Company will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Individuals seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process should email [email protected]. Emails sent for unrelated issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

The Company encourages those with criminal histories to apply, and will consider their applications in a manner consistent with applicable "Fair Chance" laws, including but not limited to the NYC Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act.

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