FT seeks a Beijing bureau chief

The rise of China is the great economic and political story of the 21st Century and the FT is at the forefront of interpreting and explaining this phenomenon to the world.

As our Beijing Bureau Chief you will be responsible for managing eight correspondents and ten news assistants and support staff in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. We’re looking for a motivational leader who will support the team to deliver the world’s best China coverage.

In addition, the Beijing Bureau Chief will set the tone and agenda for the FT’s pivotal China coverage and produce a steady stream of scoops, features, news stories and analyses.

As well as managing and encouraging a team of highly-skilled reporters, the Beijing Bureau Chief should show initiative in proposing packages of articles and deeper investigative series into the Chinese economy, politics and society.

Your Skills

This role requires a deep understanding of Chinese cultural norms and the Chinese Communist Party, which regularly seeks to influence and intimidate reporters operating in the country. You will also demonstrate an excellent knowledge of Chinese politics and economics.

A level of resilience and tenacity is essential, as well as the ability to handle the pressures associated with regular surveillance and encroachments by various arms of the Chinese security apparatus. It is also important that you have an awareness of the norms in Beijing including restricted internet and email access when VPNs are blocked, as well as air pollution.

The position also requires excellent organizational skills and the ability to plan coverage of set-piece events well ahead of time, in coordination with desk editors and reporter colleagues in Hong Kong, London, Washington and New York.

A working knowledge of Mandarin would be helpful for this position, though we will consider applications from non-Mandarin speakers.

Please submit your application via Workday by Monday 30th August

To apply, go here.