Job Description

The New York Times is looking for an entrepreneurial journalist to reimagine, reinvent and relaunch the On Politics newsletter, an important franchise and a vital centerpiece of and showcase for Times political coverage with a vast audience of paying subscribers. 

After a hiatus of several months, we are preparing to reboot the On Politics newsletter to give readers a sophisticated and innovative guide to the 2024 election cycle and to political news in Washington and across the nation. 

This is a premier platform for a stellar political journalist with excellent news judgment, the ability to report at a high level and conceive of new story forms on the fly. The newsletter allows its author to work at a wide variety of speeds (landing scoops, writing with humor, crafting choice features), strike a conversational tone while conveying the authority and objectivity of The Times and collaborate with colleagues across the organization. The ideal candidate will be able to sustain a rigorous pace over the course of the 2024 presidential campaign.

Responsibilities:

Take ownership as a creative entrepreneur, reimagining a vision for a newsletter-based franchise, with a strong identity.

Plan newsletter from initial pitch through final edit, in coordination with editors. This includes: shaping new formats, developing story ideas, reporting and writing, and working closely with journalists on the Politics desk and in the Washington Bureau, as well as with other Times colleagues.

Conceive and establish a signature brand based on your unique expertise, storytelling, presence, judgment, creativity and curiosity.

Oversee production of the On Politics newsletter two or three days a week, ramping up to five days a week as the political cycle intensifies.

Ensure timely and accurate reporting, analysis, context and insights that enhance readers’ understanding of the political news of the day.

Curate and summarize the most important and interesting political stories from The Times and other news organizations, incorporating audience insights into the strategy and direction of the work. Collaborate with the analytics department to understand audience trends and incorporate findings into editorial approaches that fulfill the mission while growing the franchise.

Ensure first-class coverage of assigned areas of expertise, shaping the wider conversation in a smart and authoritative way, and expanding your voice and expertise into different formats and platforms. 

Act as a representative of the NYT brand  across NYT platforms, at external-facing events, and in marketing by being a distinctive voice of authority and prominent conversation-shaper.

The ideal candidate will:

Bring fresh thinking, passion and curiosity to political coverage.

Bring a reputation for producing attention-getting political journalism.

Possess tremendous creativity, competitive drive and stamina.

Have experience with newsletter journalism.

Enjoy dreaming up new story ideas and new ways of telling stories.

Demonstrate a commitment to The New York Times’s strategy, standards and mission.

Be prepared for the demands of campaign reporting, including frequent travel.

Basic Qualifications:

At least five years of experience in political reporting at a national level.

A lively, conversational writing style with a knack for engaging, concise, and informative writing that appeals to both political obsessives and casual readers.

A deep understanding of the current political landscape, including key players, issues, campaigns and trends.

Familiarity with The New York Times's standards, style, and values, as well as its political team and its coverage.

The energy and flexibility to work at a fast pace, meet tight deadlines and adapt to rapidly changing news situations.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to colleagues within the department and across the newsroom.