Investigative Reporter

JOB TITLE

Investigative Research Producer — Docuseries

Hailo Studio | Vaughan, Ontario | Remote / Hybrid | Full Time Contract

ABOUT HAILO STUDIO

Hailo Studio is Canada's first AI native film studio. We commission, fund, and distribute original cinematic content across our own subscription streaming platform. We are building a slate of original investigative docuseries that tackle real stories, real people, and real consequences — the kind of content that demands rigorous journalism, airtight sourcing, and editorial courage.

We are not making puff pieces. We are making docuseries that people will talk about, argue about, and share because they cannot believe what they just watched. If that excites you, keep reading.

THE ROLE

We are looking for an Investigative Research Producer to be the editorial backbone of our docuseries operation. You will work alongside our documentary directors to find the stories, verify the facts, build the evidence, manage the sources, and ensure every claim we make on screen can withstand scrutiny from a lawyer, a journalist, and an angry subject simultaneously.

This is not a content writing role. This is not a social media role. This is investigative journalism applied to documentary filmmaking. You need to have done this before.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Identify and develop original investigative story ideas across Hailo's docuseries slate

Conduct deep background research using public records, ATIP and FOIA requests, court documents, financial filings, and primary source interviews

Build and protect relationships with whistleblowers, insiders, and on-record sources

Verify every factual claim before it reaches the production stage — if it cannot be verified it does not go in

Write detailed research briefs and episode treatments that give directors everything they need to film

Work with Hailo's media legal counsel to ensure every episode meets the legal and ethical standards required for controversial content

Maintain a documented evidence trail for every claim made on screen

Manage source confidentiality and protect the identity of anyone who takes a risk to speak to us

Monitor ongoing stories for new developments throughout the production cycle

Collaborate with the Head of Creative on editorial standards and story selection

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

3 or more years of experience in investigative journalism, documentary research, or investigative producing

Demonstrated track record of original investigative work that resulted in published, broadcast, or distributed content

Deep familiarity with Canadian public records law, ATIP processes, and court document access

Experience conducting on-record and off-record interviews with reluctant or hostile subjects

Strong understanding of Canadian defamation law and the editorial standards required to protect both the subject and the publisher

Ability to work independently on multiple stories simultaneously without losing rigour on any of them

Comfort working in a startup environment where the process is being built while the work is being done

Experience with documentary production workflows is a strong asset — you do not need to be a filmmaker but you need to understand how a research brief becomes a film

NICE TO HAVE

Background in investigative journalism at a Canadian outlet — CBC Marketplace, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, The Logic, Global News Investigates, or equivalent independent journalists etc

Experience with cross-border investigations involving US, EU, or international subjects

Familiarity with AI technology, the entertainment industry, or corporate accountability reporting

Existing source relationships in government, law enforcement, finance, or the entertainment industry

Experience working with a media lawyer on pre-publication legal review

WHAT HAILO OFFERS

Full time contract with competitive compensation based on experience

Creative ownership over the stories you develop — your name goes on the work

A media lawyer on retainer reviewing every episode before it airs — you are never exposed without protection

An editorial process that takes accuracy and fairness seriously — we will not air something we cannot prove

Direct collaboration with Hailo's Head of Creative and documentary directors

The opportunity to build the investigative journalism infrastructure of a growing Canadian media studio from the ground up

HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume, two examples of investigative work you are most proud of with a brief description of your role in each, and a one-paragraph pitch for a story you think Hailo should investigate.

We read every application personally. If your work is the right fit we will be in touch. Hailo is Based in Ontario

Pay: From $3,000.00 per month

Work Location: On the road