Political Journalist

This is a Full Time Job

Job Description

MS NOW is seeking enterprising cross-platform journalists to serve on the front lines of the 2028 election cycle. You'll be our eyes and ears on the campaign trail - following candidates across early primary states, chronicling campaign events and tracking interactions with voters - as the nation chooses its next president. You'll have a front-row seat to the election while delivering for all platforms of MS NOW.

Campaign embeds work at all hours with constantly changing schedules. You will be expected to report relentlessly, building relationships with candidates, advisers, voters, party leaders, donors and other key players to track developments in the race and break news on your beat. You'll write continuously for our digital audience. You'll shoot video from the field. You'll share insights with our viewers, readers and listeners - an audience deeply interested in every turn of the political cycle. You'll get the experience of a lifetime in one of the most challenging and sought-after roles in journalism.

Apply by September 18. When applying, provide a resume, a cover letter explaining why you're interested in this role, representative work samples (or links to your clips, reel or other published journalism), and a list of your social media accounts.

This is a contract position until January 2029.

Key Responsibilities:
• Contribute rolling content for all platforms in a breaking news environment
• Deploy cross-platform field journalism skills including, but not limited to, shooting political events, providing live transmission, gathering elements for shows/packages, writing digital stories, and producing social media content
• Produce readouts from each event that could be published with minimal editing. You'll summarize major editorial themes, identify the most impactful soundbites, and turn social videos for use across platforms.
• Cultivate sources and break news on your beat
• Appear on video platforms of MS NOW and occasionally on live television
• Collaborate with other reporters assigned to covering the campaign, producers and hosts.
• Represent MS NOW at all times with integrity according to our newsroom standards

Qualifications
• Desire to live and breathe politics at all hours throughout the 2028 campaign.
• Strong grasp of the U.S. political landscape, current events and public policy
• Track record of building sources and breaking news on a beat
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Proficiency in all aspects of production including but not limited to shooting, writing and editing stories for various platforms – with a real emphasis on written digital content
• Sound news judgment and a strong understanding of news standards, including a fierce commitment to fairness and accuracy
• Ability to communicate complex matters with ease
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and multi-task with speed and efficiency
• Some experience appearing on video platforms
• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience

Additional Requirements:
• Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision.

VERSANT Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at VERSANT via-email, the Internet, or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from VERSANT's Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by VERSANT as a result of the referral or through other means.