Senior Politics Reporter

Job Description

Vox is looking for two politics reporters: one to cover the Democratic Party and the progressive movement, and one to focus on the Republican Party and modern conservatism. We're looking for reporters who will bring clarity to the debates, arguments, and trends that are transforming both the parties and the country.

While the stories you cover will likely include electoral and legislative fights, we aren't looking for someone laser-focused on the horse race. Your role at Vox will be to help readers understand the personalities, conversations, and political battles shaping both parties - and why they matter. We're interested in bringing clarity to the high-profile splits and differences within the party, and in surfacing and exploring less public debates that are crucial to understanding politics and policy in the US.

We're looking for someone whose best work is informed by reporting, including conversations with political leaders, participants, activists, and critics, and who is comfortable drawing on history, political science, and other sources of expertise to give context and explore ideas. You should be comfortable with analytical, argument-driven work that seeks to start a conversation and is skeptical of easy partisan narratives. You should be able to bring clarity to a news moment on this beat and provide the larger picture for readers. The people you're covering don't have to like what you write, but they should feel their positions and arguments are represented fairly.

A keen interest in politics and political news, including the ability to work under tight deadlines, is a must; understanding the big picture and the stakes of news developments is even more critical.

What you'll do:
• Cover the issues, arguments, personalities, and controversies shaping either the Democratic Party and the progressive movement, or the Republican Party and the conservative movement, and the associated media and activist universe
• Cover the ways identity and race intersect with politics, and the issues that affect diverse communities across the political spectrum
• Write pieces of varying length and frequency, ranging from short, newsy items to bigger reported pieces and essays
• Work closely and collaboratively with editors to shape the beat, refine your pitches and ideas, and polish your work

What you'll bring:
• Curiosity and expertise on US politics in general and the right or left in particular
• Strong reporting skills, including an ability to cultivate sources who might distrust or disagree with you
• Sharp writing, including the ability to craft headlines
• A passion for explanatory journalism and a drive to bring clarity to readers
• A creative approach to the beat, including a willingness to experiment with new formats
• Experience with the work and issues we're covering. Many strong candidates for this role will likely have experience covering national politics, but we're open to applications from people with other kinds of expertise - make your case!

This role is a part of the Vox Media Union, represented by the Writers Guild of America, East

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-g67pmn-3-145-60-149-42 in your application.