True Crime Journalist Jobs in Rutherford, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Employment Type: Full-time
Reports to: Crime Correspondent / Crime Desk Editor
Location: Onsite, Daily Mail US, New York, NY
Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000

The Daily Mail reaches over a billion people globally every month. Renowned for its agenda-setting exclusives, breaking news, incisive commentary, and in-depth investigations, we deliver a unique editorial blend spanning showbiz, royals, lifestyle, health, sport, money, crime, and more.

Our extensive reach, influence, and reader loyalty make us a premium destination for more than 300,000 digital subscribers across the UK, US, Australia, and beyond. The Daily Mail also maintains a powerful presence across social media, engaging more than 150 million followers and delivering more than 6 billion video views each month across platforms including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat.

The Crime Desk is the home of the Daily Mail's unrivalled true-crime exclusives, expert analysis, and coverage of the biggest criminal cases in the world.

The desk brings together deep reporting, cold cases, major trials, breaking crime news, audio, video, and digital storytelling in one powerful destination.

We are looking for an experienced multimedia journalist with a passion for crime, courts, and investigative reporting to join our growing team in New York.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished reporter and storyteller, capable of producing compelling, high-quality features, moving quickly on breaking news, covering major criminal trials, and delivering agenda-setting exclusives and scoops.

The role requires a strong understanding of crime and the U.S. legal system, excellent reporting and writing skills, and the ability to work across multiple platforms. This includes appearing on camera for Daily Mail's social channels, contributing to video projects, and participating in or hosting podcast recordings.

The role will also involve editing, producing, and helping shape content for the global Crime Desk newsletter, ensuring it delivers exclusive reporting, sharp analysis, and must-read storytelling.

The successful candidate will also help oversee the Crime Desk when the U.S. Crime Editor is away, including assigning stories, helping manage the desk's daily output, and managing the newsletter.

The role is primarily office-based, and the successful candidate will be expected to work from the New York newsroom five days a week.

• Produce high-quality features, exclusives, and interviews on U.S. crime stories, including cold cases.
• Report on live criminal trials, court hearings, and other significant legal proceedings, including breaking news.
• Identify and develop agenda-setting crime stories, exclusive reporting opportunities, and investigative projects.
• Pitch both short-term and long-term story ideas to the Crime Correspondent / Crime Desk Editor.
• Conduct thorough research, interviews, records checks, and source development to produce accurate and compelling journalism.
• Assist the Crime Correspondent / Crime Desk Editor with the weekly Crime Desk newsletter, including promotional stories, expert Q&As, original reporting, and newsletter copy.
• Help edit, produce, and shape content for the Crime Desk newsletter and ensure a consistently high editorial standard.
• Deputize for the Crime Correspondent / Crime Desk Editor when they are away on assignments, including helping run the Crime Desk newsletter and homepage.
• Help manage the Crime Desk's daily output, assigning stories and coordinating coverage when required.
• Respond quickly and accurately to breaking crime news and developing stories.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with law enforcement, attorneys, court officials, experts, sources, and other relevant contacts.
• Contribute to video projects and appear on camera for Daily Mail's social channels when required.
• Participate in or host podcast recordings and contribute to audio storytelling.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the U.S. and wider Daily Mail editorial teams.
• Help identify emerging crime stories, trends, cases, and characters that can drive audience engagement across platforms.
• Ensure all reporting meets Daily Mail's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, legal awareness, and quality.
• Work efficiently under tight deadlines while maintaining strong attention to detail and journalistic standards.

The ideal candidate is an experienced, ambitious, and highly motivated journalist with a genuine passion for crime, courts, and investigative reporting.

You have a strong track record of producing compelling crime journalism and are comfortable working across breaking news, features, trials, exclusives, and longer-term investigations. You are naturally curious, resourceful, and persistent in developing stories and sources.

You thrive in a fast-paced newsroom environment, can move quickly when news breaks, and have the judgment to identify which stories have the potential to become major exclusives.

You are a confident communicator with excellent writing and reporting skills and are comfortable working across digital, social, video, audio, and newsletter platforms. You are also able to work independently while collaborating effectively with editors and colleagues.

You are organized, adaptable, and comfortable taking on additional responsibility, including helping lead the Crime Desk when senior colleagues are away.

• Proven experience as a journalist or reporter, with significant experience covering crime, courts, investigations, or related subjects.
• Strong portfolio of high-quality crime reporting and exclusive journalism.
• Demonstrated ability to cover breaking news quickly and accurately.
• Experience covering criminal trials, court hearings, or major legal proceedings.
• Excellent writing, reporting, interviewing, and research skills.
• Strong understanding of the U.S. criminal justice system and court processes.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain reliable sources and contacts.
• Experience pitching and developing original story ideas and longer-term projects.
• Demonstrated editing experience and the ability to help shape and improve other journalists' work.
• Excellent news judgment and the ability to identify compelling stories and exclusives.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced newsroom.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to appear on camera and contribute to video and social content.
• Experience with podcasts, audio production, newsletters, or multimedia storytelling is advantageous.
• Experience working across digital publishing platforms and social media is advantageous.

• Opportunity to work for one of the world's most recognized news brands.
• Fast-paced, collaborative newsroom environment.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k).
• Generous paid time off.
• Professional development opportunities.
• The chance to break stories read by millions of readers worldwide.
• The opportunity to work at the heart of a globally recognized Crime Desk covering some of the world's biggest criminal cases.

Daily Mail US is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We are committed to fostering diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

We are Disability Confident Committed. Please let us know if you require any recruitment documentation in alternative formats or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process. Any such information will be held separately from your application and will not be considered as part of the selection process.