Correspondent

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.

The role

This is one of the FT’s most exciting global beats: a high-impact reporting role at the intersection of Hollywood, finance, politics and power in Los Angeles.

We are looking for an ambitious, outward-facing reporter who thrives on original reporting — this correspondent will be meeting executives, agents, financiers and investors, building deep sourcing and breaking news on the biggest stories shaping the global entertainment industry.

The successful candidate will combine speed and authority on corporate news — from deals to succession battles — with the ability to step back and write richly reported features that capture the personalities, rivalries and power dynamics that make this beat distinctive.

The Los Angeles correspondent will also cover politics in the US largest state, one that often sets regulatory and legal trends for the rest of the country. California is a huge source of both ideas and funding for Democratic candidates. In federal election years, this writer will also help cover national politics.

This is a role for a self-starter with strong instincts for storylines that resonate beyond entertainment: the shifting balance of power in Hollywood, the growing influence of private capital, and the industry’s role in US politics and global culture.

The successful applicant will work closely with the FT’s US media editor and global media editor, and be responsible for covering some of the most colourful personalities in corporate America. 

The role demands a confident writer who can deliver both scoops and deeply reported features on the people shaping this landscape.

Key areas of focus will include:

• The next generation of Hollywood leadership, as longstanding figures step back and new moguls emerge

• Dealmaking and consolidation across global media groups including Disney, Netflix, Comcast and Warner

• Hollywood’s political influence, including fundraising, campaigning and its role in the midterms and the 2028 presidential race

• The economic and social dynamics of Southern California, a $1tn regional economy at the centre of debates over immigration, labour and growth

• The growing convergence of media, finance and sport, including private equity investment and billionaire ownership

We expect the position to be based in Los Angeles. A willingness to travel and engage widely across the industry is essential. The reporter will contribute across formats, including live events, video and other digital storytelling.

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Sunday May 24 2026. 

Salary range

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $100,000 to $150,000. 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 open to a broad pool of candidates, both internal and external.  Where an external candidate is hired or a successful internal candidate is appointed to the role on terms covered by the collective bargaining agreement, they will be represented by the News Media Guild (NMG). Candidates appointed on other (i.e. foreign) employment terms, including certain internal transfers on assignments from other bureaux, may not be represented by the NMG.

The use of AI

Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not by default use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. For specific and pre-approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations.  

We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role. 

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

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.

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.

FT Newsroom staff are expected to work onsite a minimum of three days per week, subject to role requirements and regular review. While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for Editorial roles.

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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