College Sports Insider

Step into the center of college sports innovation as a College Sports Insider at The Raleigh News & Observer. This is your chance to redefine how the University of North Carolina and other powerhouse programs are covered in the heart of ACC country. You’ll own the high-volume, fast-paced UNC beat, delivering authoritative coverage that captivates digital audiences across every platform.

Go beyond the traditional playbook—use deep sourcing, sharp storytelling, social engagement and real-time data to deliver high-impact coverage that resonates with longtime fans and newcomers alike. From courtside at Final Four showdowns to the frontlines of ACC meetings, you’ll travel where the stories are, providing essential context and fresh perspectives on the evolving world of college athletics.

The Triangle is home to some of the nation’s most storied college basketball programs, with teams making both the men’s and women’s Final Four in the past three years. It’s the perfect place to tell compelling stories about the changing landscape of college sports, the ACC’s fight for survival and UNC’s growing investment in football.

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years of professional journalism experience, preferably in college sports
• Comfort in audience-facing roles, building rapport with readers and representing The News & Observer across digital and real-world channels
• Strong writing, reporting and people skills, with a proven ability to produce a high volume of distinctive stories
• An eagerness to experiment and embrace technology, including AI, to enhance your journalism and free up time for your most valuable work
• Comfort with data, public records and analytics

At McClatchy, we move fast and adapt fearlessly. We build tools and workflows that empower every journalist to grow their readership and impact. If you’re ready to lead coverage in one of the nation’s most storied college sports regions, we want to hear from you.

Send your resume, cover letter, 4-6 clips of your best work and examples of your audience engagement on social media.