Political Enterprise Reporter, Money & Power

The Washington Post

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Washington Post is seeking an aggressive, deeply sourced and narrative-minded reporter to cover money, influence and power in politics — one of the most consequential and under-scrutinized stories shaping American democracy. This reporter will lead coverage of the flow of money through campaigns, political organizations, advocacy groups and influence networks, illuminating how financial power shapes elections, policymaking and governance. The beat spans campaign finance, dark money, lobbying, political nonprofits and the broader ecosystem of donors, consultants and operatives who influence the political system. We are looking for a journalist who can break news, drive accountability reporting and turn complex financial and regulatory systems into riveting storytelling. The ideal candidate is as comfortable working with data, documents and disclosures as they are with writing scene dispatches from embassy parties. This is a high-impact role that requires persistence, creativity and a strong sense of mission. This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom.

Requirements

A track record of breaking news and producing impactful enterprise reporting on politics, business, investigations or related fields.
Experience working with data, public records and financial disclosures.
Strong source-building skills and the ability to cultivate relationships across political and regulatory spheres.
Demonstrated ability to explain complex systems clearly and accurately.
A sharp instinct for accountability stories and uncovering hidden dynamics.
Strong writing skills and the ability to work quickly under deadline pressure.
A collaborative mindset and experience working across teams to elevate coverage.

Responsibilities

Deliver scoops on campaign finance, political spending and influence networks across national and state politics.
Investigate the role of donors, political organizations, lobbyists and advocacy groups in shaping elections and policy outcomes.
Analyze campaign finance filings, disclosures and other public records to uncover trends, patterns and hidden relationships.
Produce ambitious enterprise and accountability stories that reveal how money flows through the political system.
Explain complex financial, legal and regulatory frameworks in ways that are accessible to a broad audience.
Develop and maintain sources across campaigns, political organizations, watchdog groups and regulatory bodies.
Collaborate with data reporters, visual teams and editors to produce impactful, multi-format storytelling.
Track emerging trends in political spending and influence, helping shape coverage that anticipates where power is shifting.