FT seeks a Lex column writer in San Francisco

The Lex column has a job opportunity for a writer in San Francisco.

This is a chance to join the close-knit, award-winning team that puts out the FT’s flagship investment column. We produce concise, informed opinion pieces on big business, markets, private investment and other financial subjects. The column is central to the FT’s premium subscription strategy.

Tech is an important sector for the FT and for Lex. As the column’s representative on the west coast, you will set the tone for the column in covering Big Tech with the freedom to take a robust line on the development of the sector, its importance to markets, its regulatory challenges and the companies’ strategic successes and failures. There is also scope to cover other sectors, notably media, finance and venture capital, and develop areas of personal interest.

Key responsibilities

• Lead on coverage of tech sector for Lex as well as pitching in on other topics
• Produce snappy, analytical pieces on big news events
• Develop deep sector knowledge and sourcing to generate a stream of distinctive thematic ideas and corporate analysis
• Cooperate with colleagues on editing copy and developing ideas
• Contribute to Lex in Depth pieces on specialist topics, Lex newsletters and other projects

What we are looking for

This would suit a self-starting reporter with a keen news sense who is a confident financial analyst and a clean, lively writer.

Working from the west coast time zone will often require this writer to operate independently from the team in London, and to cooperate with others in the San Francisco bureau and colleagues in New York to get pieces published.

A high degree of numeracy and a working knowledge of financial accounting and analysis is a distinct advantage but you do not need to be a valuations expert. The column has in the past recruited both experienced business journalists, and from those with a background in financial services.

Lex offers the freedom to analyse the world through the prism of investment, tackling everything from single company woes to big cross-economy and global trends.

All Lex writers produce quick, snappy analysis on big news stories. But the team also writes longer Lex in Depth pieces, takes part in FTLive events, produces regular newsletters and contributes to other parts of the FT output.

Please submit your application, including a mock Lex note on a subject of your choice, by the end of the day, Thursday 18th April 2024.

To apply, go here.