Political Reporter

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.

• New York City government, including the mayor, City Hall, City Council and key agencies
• New York state politics and policy making, 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

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• 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

• A steady cadence of high‑impact daily reporting, including exclusives
• Clear, authoritative explanations of policy with direct relevance to business decision‑makers
• Strong sourcing and fair, persistent accountability journalism
• Collaboration that strengthens coverage across the newsroom

• 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

We know not every candidate will match every qualification. If you’re excited about this beat and believe you can do the work, we encourage you to apply and tell us why you’re a fit.

Location and schedule: This role is based in New York City and follows a hybrid schedule with expected in‑office days.

This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Pay Transparency Disclosure: The estimated salary range for this position is $85,000 to $100,000. The final salary offering will take into account a wide range of factors, including experience, accomplishments…