Investigative Reporters and Editors is hiring: Political Reporter in Brooklyn

Job Title: Political Reporter (Money in Politics) Location: Remote (U.S.-based preferred) Type: Full-time

About the Role
Inside Philanthropy is hiring a reporter for a new project to cover how money shapes political power in the U.S—from campaign finance and lobbying to politically active nonprofits. This beat sits at the intersection of politics, policy, and economic influence, with a focus on reporting that connects financial flows to election outcomes, governing priorities, and policy decisions.

You’ll translate complex systems and networks into clear, compelling journalism, uncover underreported dynamics, and pursue original stories that break news, hold people and institutions accountable, and provide actionable intelligence to professionals working in and around politics.

This is a full-time role that begins as a 1099 three-month contract, with the intention to convert to a permanent W-2 staff position following a successful review. This is a remote role in the U.S. with a flexible schedule, but it requires regular availability during standard U.S. business hours and participation in team meetings via Zoom and Slack in a collaborative environment.

What You’ll Do
Break news and produce original reporting on campaign finance, lobbying, PACs, and political spending
Build and maintain a network of sources across government, advocacy groups, industry, and regulatory bodies
Analyze and interpret public records (FEC filings, IRS 990s, lobbying disclosures, state databases)
Mix daily reporting with enterprise and investigative stories that reveal how money influences policy and decision-making
Bring a distinct voice and point of view to your reporting, grounded in rigorous reporting and editorial standards

Who You Are
A fast-moving, self-directed reporter who thrives on deadlines and juggling multiple stories with at least three years of reporting experience or equivalent experience around politics, policy, or nonprofits
Strong interest in or experience covering money in politics, influence, or accountability
Demonstrated ability to produce clean, accurate, and engaging stories on deadline, including writing daily articles as needed
Comfortable working with data, documents, and public records
Curious, skeptical, and persistent in pursuing difficult stories
Comfortable in a startup environment and ready to contribute to a collaborative newsroom workflow
Digitally savvy and eager to experiment with new tools, including AI

Nice to Have
Experience with campaign finance or lobbying databases
Investigative reporting experience (FOIA/public records requests)
Data skills (Excel, SQL, or similar tools)
Experience covering state and national politics.

Editorial Approach
We value reporting that is not only rigorous and accurate, but also readable and distinctive. Reporters are encouraged to develop their own voice and approach, and to experiment with structure and storytelling—while maintaining high standards of fairness, clarity, and evidence.

Compensation
Salary range: $72,000 to $108,000, based on experience, with potential to grow and advance in a startup environment
Benefits: health and paid time off, including during the initial review period

Why This Role
Money in politics is one of the most powerful—and least transparent—forces shaping public life. This role offers the chance to produce high-impact accountability journalism, uncover underreported stories, break news, and help readers understand how financial power translates into political outcomes.

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