Politics Reporter, Campaign Finance

The New York Times is seeking a talented, ambitious and experienced reporter to cover campaign finance. This reporter will lead The Times’s coverage of how candidates, elected officials and political parties raise money, and how donors, outside groups and other interests use political money to try to exert influence over the political system. The filing deadlines that set the tempo of this beat should be seen as only a starting point for smart coverage. The role of money in politics — from small-dollar online fundraising to giant super PACs — is ever-evolving. This reporter will be responsible for both breaking news about how it is changing, and narrating how these changes are affecting American politics writ large. This beat offers an important opportunity to bring a measure of accountability to the political system, and the ideal candidate will be able to point to a portfolio of aggressive watchdog reporting. Strong candidates will be as comfortable sourcing up among the big donors in both parties as they are sifting through .CSV databases of the latest campaign filings. We want someone who is a self-starter who can spot trends, generate original ideas and who thrives on working collaboratively with a team of other political reporters. Experience with breaking news and reporting on tight deadlines is key, but you should also be a versatile and skilled writer who can pull off larger conceptual pieces and ambitious features.
The ideal candidate:
- Has a keen grasp of national politics and how it intersects with regional politics.
- Has excellent spreadsheet and database skills.
- Can move quickly on breaking news and writes clean and lively copy on deadline.
- Spots trends early and can analyze news events incisively.
- Brings a wealth of compelling and fresh story ideas and reporting targets.
- Has a track record of producing scoops as well as long-form enterprise and investigative work.
- Is experienced and comfortable with audio and/or video journalism and with trying new forms of storytelling.
- Exhibits solid news judgment.
- Develops stories that include a wide range of voices and perspectives.
- Collaborates easily with fellow reporters and editors.
- Is a strong communicator with excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
- This position demands versatility and strong writing chops. It is represented by the NewsGuild of NY. To apply, please submit a résumé, cover letter and five work samples.