Senior Data Journalist

Crain Communications • Chicago, DC

1d • $95,000 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ad Age is seeking a Senior Data Journalist to lead research, analysis and data-driven reporting across advertising, marketing, media and technology. This role will own and modernize the research and analysis behind Ad Age’s most important recurring editorial franchises, including the Ad Age Agency Report and Ad Age Brand Report, while also helping shape the future of data journalism across the newsroom. The Senior Data Journalist will manage complex data projects end to end—from sourcing and analyzing data to identifying newsworthy insights and translating findings into clear, compelling journalism for a business audience. This role blends reporting, analysis and editorial product thinking, with an emphasis on building durable, repeatable data-driven coverage that serves Ad Age’s audience of marketers, agency leaders and CMOs.

Requirements

• Minimum of five years of experience in data-driven journalism, including reporting, analysis and storytelling.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze datasets and surface meaningful, newsworthy insights and trends.
• Strong reporting instincts and editorial judgment, with close attention to accuracy, transparency and methodology.
• Experience building clear, accurate charts, tables and other data presentations for editorial use.
• Ability to manage complex data projects independently from start to finish.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain findings and methodology to colleagues, readers and outside sources.

Nice To Haves

• Experience modernizing or managing recurring editorial products, rankings or benchmark reports.
• Comfort working with large, intricate or proprietary datasets.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools and/or automation workflows.
• Experience covering or working in advertising, media, marketing or technology.

Responsibilities

• Core reports and rankings Lead research, analysis and ongoing modernization of recurring annual rankings and benchmark reports, including key Ad Age Datacenter projects such as the Agency Report and Brand Report.
• Evaluate and improve methodologies, data sourcing and documentation to reflect changes in the advertising and marketing industry.
• Work closely with editors, designers and product partners to enhance how data is presented digitally and visually.
• Data-driven reporting and storytelling Report, analyze and write original data-driven news stories and industry trend reports.
• Identify newsworthy insights, narratives and implications within large or complex datasets.
• Build clear, accurate charts, tables and other data presentations to support reported stories and recurring reports.
• Translate complex findings into accessible, high-impact journalism for a business audience.
• Strategy and collaboration Collaborate with reporters and editors on data-informed enterprise stories and trend projects across beats including agencies, brands, media, technology and AI.
• Help guide and strengthen data-driven work from other reporters, providing support on framing, methodology and clarity.
• Contribute ideas for new data products, trackers and repeatable editorial formats that deepen audience engagement and loyalty.
• Help establish best practices for data accuracy, transparency, documentation and reproducibility across the newsroom.
• Stakeholder communication Work with proprietary, public and third-party data sources, ensuring accuracy, transparency and sound methodology.
• Communicate clearly with outside stakeholders, including agency and brand representatives, to explain data collection, methodology and findings as needed.
• Clearly explain findings and methodology to newsroom colleagues and readers.

Benefits

• In addition to base salary, Crain also offers competitive benefits including retirement plan savings contributions and bonus opportunities based on individual and company performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed