Los Angeles Correspondent

Financial Times•Los Angeles, CA

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Ambitious, outward-facing reporter
Thrives on original reporting
Speed and authority on corporate news
Ability to step back and write richly reported features
Self-starter with strong instincts for storylines
Confident writer
Willingness to travel and engage widely across the industry is essential
Refrain from using AI in test submissions
Written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences

Nice To Haves

AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role

Responsibilities

Meeting executives, agents, financiers and investors
Building deep sourcing and breaking news on the biggest stories shaping the global entertainment industry
Covering corporate news, including deals and succession battles
Writing richly reported features that capture personalities, rivalries and power dynamics
Covering politics in California and national politics in federal election years
Identifying storylines that resonate beyond entertainment, such as the shifting balance of power in Hollywood, the growing influence of private capital, and the industry’s role in US politics and global culture
Working closely with the FT’s US media editor and global media editor
Covering colourful personalities in corporate America
Delivering scoops and deeply reported features
Contributing across formats, including live events, video and other digital storytelling