Political Reporter

Crain Communications•New York, NY

5d•$85,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Crain’s New York Business — the award-winning publication covering the deals, decisions and industries shaping New York City’s economy — is hiring a Politics Reporter to break news and explain policy for business leaders, employers and investors. This reporter will own the City Hall and Albany beat, develop exclusive storylines through sourcing and public records, and deliver clear, authoritative coverage that shows how government action affects New York’s business climate. We’re looking for an ambitious, independent-minded journalist who can cultivate sources, generate scoops and move quickly on daily developments — while also producing deeper accountability and explanatory reporting. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable interviewing powerful decision-makers, mining public records and campaign finance data, filing FOIL requests, and translating complex policy into crisp, business-relevant journalism. Because politics intersects with many of Crain’s core coverage areas — real estate, health care, finance, climate, technology, transportation and small business — the Politics Reporter will collaborate closely with colleagues across the newsroom, regularly sharing leads, context and expertise. What you’ll cover New York City government, including the mayor, City Hall, City Council and key agencies New York state politics and policymaking, including the governor, Legislature and state agencies Elections, influence, money in politics and the stakeholders driving outcomes Regulatory and legislative decisions that affect how New York does business

Requirements

Demonstrated experience reporting and writing for a news organization (politics, government, business or accountability reporting preferred)
Strong sourcing — or a proven ability to build sources quickly — within New York politics and government
Working knowledge of New York’s political landscape and recent policy history
Ability to meet daily deadlines while balancing longer-term enterprise work
Experience with public records, data-driven reporting and/or campaign finance research
Strong interviewing skills and comfort engaging high-profile public officials and stakeholders
Excellent writing, including the ability to make complex issues accessible and compelling
Familiarity with web publishing and content management systems

Responsibilities

Pitch and write daily stories that deliver scoops, accountability and clear takeaways for a business audience
Cover breaking news with speed, accuracy and strong editorial judgment
Develop and maintain sources across city and state government, campaigns, unions, business groups and advocacy organizations
Use public records and data (including campaign finance) to identify stories and document claims
File and follow through on FOIL requests and other public-information requests
Produce in-depth enterprise and feature reporting on power, policy and the people behind decisions
Identify emerging themes and storylines that could translate into events, panels or moderated discussions
Track the political calendar — hearings, major votes, budget milestones, campaigns and investigations — and anticipate coverage needs
Contribute ideas and reporting support to teammates where beats overlap