FT seeks a Houston correspondent

The Financial Times has a vacancy in Houston for a correspondent to support our world-beating coverage of the energy sector and Texas.

Energy is a global industry, and the Houston correspondent is a key member of the US energy team, which complements our top-notch natural resources team in London and is growing the Energy Source newsletter as a “mini brand”.

The shale revolution in the Permian basin is one of the most consequential changes in the American economy in a generation, turning the US into a net exporter of oil and transforming everything from its internal demography to its geostrategic approach to the Middle East. The election of Donald Trump, who has pledged to “drill, baby, drill” and gut Joe Biden’s inflation reduction act, places an even greater focus on the energy sector and the trajectory of the green transition away from fossil fuels.

In this role you will cover some of the world’s most valuable companies, including ExxonMobil, as well as assist in covering the broader energy story in the Americas, at a time of surging electricity demand due to the AI boom.

You will report on the Texas economy, which is the second largest of any state in the US and has become a magnet for corporate investment due to low taxes, cheap energy and light touch regulation. Migration will be another key theme for coverage given Trump’s pledge to implement mass deportations and build more border walls.

You will be able to work independently and pursue an active news agenda, while finding stories that warrant deeper investigation. You will report to the FT’s US energy editor, Jamie Smyth.

This is initially a six-month posting to cover a parental leave in another bureau but there is the possibility of an extension.

 Key responsibilities

• Cover Texas’ big energy companies, particularly ExxonMobil, and refineries, breaking stories and identifying key trends
• Lead coverage of the US shale industry
• Contribute to FT-wide effort to improve clean energy and environmental coverage
• Help build revamped Energy Source “mini-brand” with New York and London-based energy teams, including contributions to the FT’s newsletter output
• Assist in coverage of energy in the Americas, particularly Venezuela and Mexico
• Report on the Texas economy and politics, including migration
• Report across all digital platforms and engage with the FT’s audience through social media
• Demonstrate numeracy and proficiency in handling data, the ability to explain analyses confidently
• Produce simple charts and identify opportunities to collaborate with Visual and Data Journalism team

Who we are looking for

You will have a record of corporate reporting and a good grounding in geopolitics. Although past work in the energy sector is not required, this is a position for a proven correspondent rather than an entry-level posting. Knowledge of Spanish is also a plus. We are looking for a self-starter with good interpersonal skills who can maintain strong lines of communication with both the NY and London news desks, as well as the global energy teams.

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Tuesday 26th February 2025.

Salary range

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $90,000 to $115,000. 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. This position is represented by the News Guild.