Lex Columnist

Aboutus Ft; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Financial Times is seeking a numerate, curious writer to join the Lex team, delivering concise, deeply informed notes on big business, public and private markets.

You will produce well-reported opinion that drives readership and supports FT's premium subscription strategy, while shaping the financial conversation for a broad audience in the US.

Qualifications

• Strong grasp of corporate reporting, accounting, and the mechanics of M&A and earnings.
• Ability to generate clear, directional, and deeply reported views backed by numbers.
• Keen capacity to untangle complex, unfamiliar topics with ease.

Responsibilities

• Write concise, deeply informed opinion notes on business and markets.
• Conduct rigorous reporting and use numbers to back up analyses.
• Engage high-level sources with probing, diplomatic conversations.
• Contribute to shaping the financial conversation and FT’s premium strategy.

Skills

Analytical rigor

Conviction

Intellectual agility

Source management

Ambition

Job description

About us

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

The Role

This is a rare US-based opportunity to join the close-knit, award-winning team behind the FT’s flagship investment column.

At Lex we write opinion, but we don’t do hot takes. Instead, we produce concise, deeply informed, analytical notes on big business, public and private markets and the broader financial ecosystem.

We are looking for a numerate, naturally curious writer who wants to provoke debate with well-reported insights. Because the column is central to the FT’s premium subscription strategy, your work will help drive our business as well as shape the financial conversation.

Sector expertise is welcome, but we'll also want to see that you are an all-rounder. We’ll help you build a career at the FT and a reputation for punchy, directional opinion that’s a joy to read.

What you will bring to the role:

• Analytical rigor: A strong grasp of corporate reporting, accounting, and the mechanics of M&A and earnings.
• Conviction: The ability to generate clear, directional, and deeply reported views, backed up with numbers.
• Intellectual agility: A fearless approach to untangling complex, unfamiliar topics.
• Source management: A knack for conducting difficult, probing and diplomatic conversations with high-level sources.
• Ambition: A drive to make a tangible impact, both in the market and within the FT newsroom.

Salary range

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $90,000 to $135,000. 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 open to a broad pool of candidates, both internal and external. Where an external candidate is hired or a successful internal candidate is appointed to the role on terms covered by the collective bargaining agreement, they will be represented by the News Media Guild (NMG). Candidates appointed on other (i.e. foreign) employment terms, including certain internal transfers on assignments from other bureaux, may not be represented by the NMG.

The use of AI

Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not by default use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. For specific and pre-approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations.

We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role.

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

What’s in it for you? Our benefits

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

FT Newsroom staff are expected to work onsite a minimum of three days per week, subject to role requirements and regular review. While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for Editorial roles.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email [e-mail] and a member of our team will be happy to help.