US Deals and Activism Correspondent

The Role

The US Deals and Activism correspondent is a member of the New York-based corporate finance team responsible for breaking news on big deals involving US businesses. This is a news-driven beat, and success will largely be measured by generating scoops on important mergers and acquisitions and activist investors buying stakes in public companies in an effort to shake them up. You will have the chance to rove widely, getting unique insights into the strategies and struggles of some of the world’s largest companies and most consequential business leaders.

In addition, the correspondent is expected to be able to contribute analytical and thematic pieces on deal making trends and key players in the industry. They will contribute regularly to the Due Diligence newsletter as well represent the FT and Team DD on panels, podcasts and TV. 

Key responsibilities

• Accurately report and break stories on large or significant deals 
• Collaborate with Team DD and beat reporters in financial services, markets and antitrust enforcement teams both in New York and globally, particularly in DC and Brussels
• Contribute timely analytical pieces on the biggest M&A trends, activism situations and profiles of major Wall Street dealmakers
• Build and maintain a strong network of senior Wall Street contacts 
• Show good judgement, including turning down stories when appropriate

Your skills

You will be a collaborator, who is flexible, willing to learn about new beats, share bylines and can build and maintain a network of senior contacts. 

Essential

M&A and activism is one of the most competitive beats in financial journalism. You will need to have tenacity and determination; competing against news organisations with bigger teams across multiple regions which can be as challenging as it is rewarding. To break news, the correspondent must work closely with beat reporters across the FT network to ensure that we are leveraging all assets.  

Desirable 

The ability to take daily beat reporting and news gathering to the next level by writing Big Reads and magazine pieces about Wall Street dealmaking and the personalities involved in major M&A activities.

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Thursday 22nd February 2024. 

Salary range

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $100,000 to $140,000. To ensure pay fairness, the successful candidate will be offered a salary within the estimated salary range based on a number of considerations including but not limited to: skill set; experience and training; certifications; and other business and organisational needs. The disclosed range estimate is for our NYC office and has not been adjusted for other locations.

Benefits

Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced maternity & paternity packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here.

How we work

Our hybrid setup means staff are expected to come into the office 3 days a week. Our New York office is located on Hudson Street between Greenwich Village and Soho.

This position is represented by the News Guild.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace

The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We believe that a supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves at work and have the flexibility they need to meet their personal needs. 

Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, please contact a member of our HR team who will be happy to help. 

About the Financial Times

The FT has an uncompromising mission: delivering independent, quality information, news and services to individuals and companies around the globe. It’s the cornerstone of our reputation and the heart of our ambitions for the future. But for our people, the FT offers so much more than what we do. FT people come from all kinds of backgrounds and work across a huge range of disciplines and locations, and find an empowering, warm and welcoming culture that values curiosity and rewards smart, ambitious thinking. Those who are willing to unite around our mission and live our values will find plenty to challenge, inspire and interest them. Like the audiences we serve, no two FT people are the same; but together we help our audience be better informed and understand the world around them. It’s a job that’s never mattered more, and a career that can take you anywhere you want to go.

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