Saudi Arabia Correspondent (Super Stringer)

The Financial Times has an opening for the post of Saudi Arabia correspondent, covering one of the Middle East’s most important countries.

You will be responsible for political, economic and social coverage of Saudi Arabia at a time when the world’s top oil exporter is going through a period of unprecedented change under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership.

It is a demanding job working in what can be a difficult environment for journalists. You will need to be resilient and have the skills and patience to develop a trusted network of contacts in a country where people are often reluctant to speak openly to the media.

But this is also a highly rewarding position with the scope to cover fast-moving, high-profile issues at the heart of the FT’s news agenda, ranging from palace intrigue to MBS’s trillion dollar plans to modernise the conservative kingdom; the deal making of one of the world’s most active sovereign wealth funds, and the ripple effects that the crown prince’s brash, unpredictable leadership style have on society.

There will be an important geopolitical element to the coverage as the successful candidate will be expected to coordinate with Washington and regional bureaus to delve into Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the Biden administration, its role in the volatile Middle East and its rivalry with Iran. This will be even more important as the Israel-Hamas war threatens to reshape the region.

You will also be expected to liaise with the energy and finances teams as Saudi Arabia maintains its role as the world’s most important crude swing producer and uses its petrodollars to snap up assets across the globe.

We are looking for a candidate with a flair for writing, the ability to get under the skin of a story and the drive to generate scoops. Ideally, the position would be based in Riyadh which is rapidly changing as social reforms bring a new vibrancy to the city and MBS seeks to transform the capital into a regional trade and finance hub.

Fluent Arabic is preferred.

Andrew England, Middle East editor, is available for informal chats about the job.

Please submit your application by the end of the day, 16th November 2023.

Benefits

Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced maternity & paternity packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here.

How we work

Our hybrid setup means staff are expected to come into the office 3 days a week.

Our office is located across the street from St. Paul's Cathedral and is easily accessible from all corners of London. There are the main train terminals such as Liverpool Street, Moorgate, Blackfriars, City Thameslink or Waterloo all situated within walking distance or there are several tube stations within a few mins walk such as Mansion House (District or Circle line), St. Paul's (Central line), Bank (Central or Waterloo & City line) or Barbican (Central, Hammersmith & City or Metropolitan lines).

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace

The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We believe that a supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves at work and have the flexibility they need to meet their personal needs.

Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, please contact a member of our HR team who will be happy to help.