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.