Money, Power & Influence Reporter
About The Position
USA TODAY Co. is seeking an ambitious, competitive and deeply curious reporter to cover the people, institutions and networks shaping South Florida. Based in Miami and working as part of the state team, the reporter will support Florida’s One Team strategy through enterprise and accountability journalism that can reach readers across multiple markets and establish the network as a leading source of reporting on power and influence in Florida. The beat spans Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and covers the intersections of politics, business, development, wealth, international investment and public policy. The reporter will break news, follow the money, investigate how decisions are made, and explain their effects on residents, businesses and communities. Coverage may include real estate, philanthropy, corporate power, government accountability, sports, entertainment, higher education, cultural institutions, housing, economic opportunity, and emerging industries. The role produces a mix of breaking news, watchdog reporting, investigations, enterprise features, analysis, video and audience-focused explainers. The reporter will cultivate high-level sources, analyze public and financial records, collaborate with journalists across Florida, and develop video, social and newsletter content. Stories should follow events from inception through aftermath, tracking consequences and holding institutions accountable over time.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- At least 3–5 years of reporting experience, preferably covering business, politics, government, investigations or accountability journalism.
- Demonstrated ability to break news and produce exclusive enterprise reporting.
- Strong source-building and interviewing skills.
- Experience working with public records, databases and financial documents.
- Ability to explain complex subjects with clarity and authority.
- Strong news judgment and understanding of audience interests.
- Ability to collaborate across newsroom teams and contribute to statewide coverage.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with data journalism and investigative techniques.
- Multimedia skills, including video and social storytelling.
Responsibilities
- Break exclusive stories involving government, business, development, lobbying, campaign finance, economic power and influential decision-makers.
- Track major real estate and development projects, including the money behind transformative projects and public-private partnerships.
- Examine how political, business and civic leaders shape public policy, economic growth and community outcomes.
- Build and maintain a source network that includes elected officials, executives, developers, investors, attorneys, lobbyists, nonprofit leaders and community advocates.
- Investigate campaign spending, government contracts, regulatory decisions and influence networks.
- Analyze public records, financial disclosures, corporate filings, campaign finance reports and property records.
- Produce accountability journalism that reveals who benefits, who is affected and what readers need to know.
- Collaborate with reporters across Florida to connect regional stories to statewide and national trends.
- Develop video, social and newsletter content to expand the reach and impact of key stories.
- Pursue stories from inception through aftermath, tracking consequences and holding institutions accountable over time.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
