Dealbook Reporter, DC

About the role

This position anchors authoritative journalism that dissects the intersection of markets and public policy from the center of the federal government. You will operate from Washington, D.C., producing rigorous reporting that reveals how legislative and regulatory actions shape the business landscape in real time. Your work will serve DealBook's mission by delivering clarity to an audience of business professionals who depend on precise, independent analysis free from external influence. You will own the narrative around policy and finance, pulling back the curtain on official proceedings and behind-the-scenes negotiations. The focus is on translating intricate governmental processes into urgent, accessible stories for a sophisticated business readership. You will operate with independence and precision, ensuring that your coverage withstands intense scrutiny while meeting strict deadlines in a high-stakes environment.

Key facts

What you'll do

Investigate and break original stories by scanning official notices, court filings, and regulatory dockets to set the policy agenda before it dominates headlines.

Conduct structured interviews with regulators, lobbyists, and industry executives to map the networks that drive policy outcomes and uncover hidden incentives.

Draft incisive narratives that connect legislative moves to immediate market reactions, producing clear prose under tight time constraints and shifting news cycles.

Refine drafts with editors to sharpen clarity, verify facts, and protect confidential sources while maintaining the integrity of sensitive information.

Collaborate with colleagues across news bureaus to align coverage with broader enterprise initiatives, ensuring consistency and depth in national and international reporting.

Build long-term relationships with sources inside agencies and on Capitol Hill to sustain deep, reliable reporting that withstands political and market volatility.

Anticipate regulatory shifts by tracking rulemaking schedules and political calendars to identify early signals that may affect global markets and investor behavior.

Explain how specific policy decisions alter business conditions for investors and consumers through clear, compelling prose that bridges complex policy and market impact.

Monitor the implementation of financial regulation and the policy process to provide context on how rules evolve after enactment and affect industry compliance.

Maintain strict ethical standards and sharp news judgment to ensure that all reporting meets the highest professional expectations and withstands legal and public scrutiny.

Requirements

You must bring five or more years of professional experience covering politics, regulation, or business from Washington, D.C., with a demonstrated ability to operate in a high-pressure news environment.

A proven track record of breaking news and cultivating authoritative sources across government and lobbying circles is mandatory, with verifiable examples of impactful reporting.

You must possess a strong understanding of financial regulation and the policy implementation process, including how rules move through agencies and intersect with congressional priorities.

The ability to translate complex policy into compelling narratives for business audiences is essential, requiring clarity of structure, precise language, and logical argumentation.

Adherence to strict ethical standards and sharp news judgment are non-negotiable, including strict compliance with confidentiality agreements and source protection protocols.

You must demonstrate strong writing and analytical clarity, particularly when operating under deadline pressure, with the capacity to edit and refine complex information rapidly.

You must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship at this time, as the role requires immediate access to secure federal facilities and regulated information environments.

You must have reliable transportation and the physical ability to move between government buildings, press galleries, and interview locations across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

You must be willing to work standard full-time hours in alignment with newsroom deadlines, including occasional early mornings, late evenings, and breaking news coverage as events dictate.

Nice to have

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced newsroom environment and manages multiple deadlines with poise, balancing competing priorities without sacrificing accuracy.

Comfort with ambiguity and a proactive approach to story discovery are expected, including the initiative to identify underreported angles and pursue them independently.

About the company

The New York Times produces journalism for readers in Manhattan and around the world. The team reports, edits, and designs news, opinion, and reviews across print and digital platforms. Roles here support this work, from product and engineering to audience and operations. You collaborate with diverse specialists to reach readers and sustain in-depth coverage.