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Bankrate · 2 weeks ago

Principal Writer, Investigative & Trust | Bankrate

United States

Full-time

Remote

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$105K/yr - $150K/yr

3+ years exp

Bankrate is redefining the future of financial decision-making, and they are seeking a Principal Writer for their Watchdog and Investigations team. The role focuses on producing impactful investigative journalism to protect consumers from questionable financial practices and to provide clear, actionable insights on complex financial topics.

BankingCommercial LendingConsumerCreditCredit CardsFinancial ServicesInsurancePersonal Finance

Responsibilities

Pitch, research, and write original investigative and watchdog stories that uncover questionable practices in financial services

Pursue public records, data sets, and expert interviews to build evidence-based narratives

Develop storylines that not only highlight problems but also offer readers actionable takeaways that improve financial decision-making

Consistently deliver work that has the potential to influence industry practices, prompt accountability, and inform public conversation

Produce accurate, fair, and engaging content across long-form investigations, explainers, and timely watchdog coverage

Translate complex financial systems and products into accessible, reader-first narratives that increase engagement and trust

Collaborate with editors and data teams to integrate charts, graphics, or interactive features, maximizing audience impact and time spent

Contribute to a publishing cadence that balances depth of reporting with relevance to consumer needs

Work closely with the Watchdog Editor and fellow reporters to shape and execute the investigative agenda

Partner with multimedia, social, and SEO teams to ensure stories reach broad audiences and drive measurable engagement

Contribute to cross-platform projects that combine text, video, audio, and graphics, helping the team expand its influence and storytelling reach

Uphold Bankrate’s standards for editorial independence, transparency, and fairness

Ensure accuracy through rigorous fact-checking, sourcing, and quality control, maintaining high editorial quality that builds consumer trust

Collaborate across departments to embrace innovative formats and workflows that scale the watchdog team’s impact

Qualification

Investigative journalismFinancial reportingStorytellingData analysisInterviewing skillsConsumer advocacyCollaboration

Required

3–7 years of experience in investigative, watchdog, or accountability journalism

Demonstrated ability to produce impactful stories that reveal hidden practices, protect consumers, or hold institutions accountable

Strong reporting and writing skills, with a talent for investigative digging and narrative storytelling

Ability to analyze financial documents, corporate filings, or data to uncover hidden insights

Excellent interviewing skills and ability to cultivate sources

Team-oriented mindset with willingness to collaborate across disciplines (editorial, data, multimedia)

Capacity to explain complex financial topics in a clear, relatable way that serves the reader first

Preferred

Experience with financial reporting or consumer-focused journalism preferred, but not required

Benefits

Health Insurance Coverage (medical, dental, and vision)

Life Insurance

Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Holiday Pay

401(k) with match

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Parental Bonding Benefit Program

Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO): We believe time to rest and recharge is essential. That’s why we offer a generous and flexible PTO policy. Full-time employees accrue 20 days of PTO for a full calendar year annually, with an increase to 25 days after five years of service.