US Political News Editor

About us

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

The role

The Financial Times is looking for a dynamic and ambitious journalist to edit our US political coverage. 

The US political news editor will report to the US news editor and work with the FT’s Washington bureau chief to coordinate coverage of the next administration and all other  major American political events.

In addition to commissioning and deploying reporters on stories and assignments, the editor will be responsible for long- and medium-term planning of our political coverage and picking big stories, from battles over election results to the key cabinet appointments and policy moves in 2025, legislative fights on Capitol Hill, and wider political themes beyond the Beltway.

They will be the main interlocutor between the Main News Desk and World News Desk in London, the New York News Desk, and the Washington bureau with regards to political news, ensuring there is a single point of contact. 

This is a very high-profile job within the FT and the successful candidate will control one of our most important areas of coverage during a seminal period in US politics. They will steer coverage as the Federal Reserve unwinds an era of high interest rates, the White House and Pentagon navigate wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and as the next president executes their agenda. 

You will work closely with the Washington bureau chief, the World news editor, and correspondents in DC as well as other reporters in the FT network. 

Key responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of our US political coverage, including long- and medium-term planning, commissioning and line editing
• Act as a splash writer during major political events 
• Generate distinctive story ideas that play to the FT’s strengths in a crowded field 
• Work with a tight-knit New York news desk and Washington bureau as well as colleagues in other US bureaus and editors in London

Is this the role for you? 

The position requires you to be comfortable with these essential skills:

• Fast, accurate editor and clean writer
• Accomplished planner, able to generate distinctive ideas and turn them into stories that are scheduled for maximum impact
• Excellent communicator able to share and explain plans with multiple people in the FT newsroom
• Solid understanding of how US political news story can appeal to both a domestic readership and global audience

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Friday 15th November 2024. 

Salary range

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $95,000 to $125,000. To ensure pay fairness, the successful candidate will be offered a salary within the estimated salary range based on a number of considerations including but not limited to: skill set; experience and training; certifications; and other business and organisational needs. 

This position is represented by the News Guild.

What’s in it for you? Our benefits

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

We’ve embraced a hybrid working model that promotes flexibility, including remote work options. We will support specific flexibility requests for all roles where feasible.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation 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, email [email protected] and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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