Money, Power & Influence Reporter

USA TODAY Co., Inc.; Florida; On-site; USD 33,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

USA TODAY Co., Inc. in Miami seeks a Money, Power & Influence Reporter to cover South Florida's dynamics, producing enterprise journalism that drives readership across markets.

You will develop exclusive stories about money, influence, real estate, politics and business, building high-level sources, explaining complex topics, and delivering breaking news, investigations, and explainers for a broad audience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of reporting experience, preferably covering business, politics, government, investigations or accountability journalism.
• Demonstrated ability to break news and produce exclusive enterprise reporting.
• Strong source-building and interviewing skills.
• Experience with public records, databases and financial documents.
• Ability to explain complex subjects with clarity and authority.
• Strong news judgment and understanding of audience interests.
• Experience with data journalism and investigative techniques is preferred.
• Ability to collaborate across newsroom teams and contribute to statewide coverage.
• Multimedia skills, including video and social storytelling, are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Break exclusive stories involving government, business, development, lobbying, campaign finance, economic power and influential decision-makers.
• Track major real estate and development projects, following the money behind transformative projects and public-private partnerships.
• Examine how political, business and civic leaders shape public policy, economic growth and community outcomes.
• Build and maintain a sophisticated source network that includes elected officials, executives, developers, investors, attorneys, lobbyists, nonprofit leaders and community advocates.
• Investigate campaign spending, government contracts, regulatory decisions and influence networks.
• Analyze public records, financial disclosures, corporate filings, campaign finance reports and property records.
• Produce accountability journalism that reveals who benefits, who is affected and what readers need to know.
• Collaborate with reporters across Florida to connect regional stories to statewide and national trends.
• Develop video, social and newsletter content that expands the reach and impact of key stories.
• Pursue stories from inception through aftermath, tracking consequences and holding institutions accountable over time.

Skills

Source-building

Interviewing

Data journalism

Investigative techniques

Multimedia storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field

Job description

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. USA TODAY Co. open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at USA TODAY Co., you should be completing an application on USA TODAY Co. Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. If you are a California resident, you acknowledge that by applying for a job with us, this California Job Applicant Privacy Notice will apply to our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information. To connect with us, visit www.usatodayco.com

Money, Power & Influence Reporter

Based in Miami and working as part of the state team

South Florida is one of the most consequential regions in the nation, where politics, development, business, wealth, international investment and public policy intersect daily. This position supports Florida's One Team strategy by producing enterprise and accountability journalism that can drive readership across multiple markets while establishing the network as the leading source of reporting on power and influence in Florida.

South Florida is one of the most dynamic, complex and consequential regions in America, where billion-dollar development deals, political power, corporate interests, international investment and cultural influence intersect every day.

We're seeking an ambitious, competitive and deeply curious Money, Power & Influence Reporter to cover the individuals, institutions and networks shaping South Florida's future. This reporter will deliver exclusive accountability journalism, break news, follow the money, explain how decisions are made behind closed doors and reveal the impact on residents, businesses and communities.

The ideal candidate thrives on cultivating high-level sources, uncovering hidden connections and translating complex financial, political and business issues into compelling journalism that resonates with a broad audience. This reporter will produce a mix of breaking news, watchdog reporting, investigations, enterprise features, analysis, video and audience-focused explainers.

This beat spans Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and examines how money and influence flow through politics, business, development, real estate, philanthropy, sports, higher education and major cultural institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Break exclusive stories involving government, business, development, lobbying, campaign finance, economic power and influential decision-makers.
• Track major real estate and development projects, following the money behind transformative projects and public-private partnerships.
• Examine how political, business and civic leaders shape public policy, economic growth and community outcomes.
• Build and maintain a sophisticated source network that includes elected officials, executives, developers, investors, attorneys, lobbyists, nonprofit leaders and community advocates.
• Investigate campaign spending, government contracts, regulatory decisions and influence networks.
• Analyze public records, financial disclosures, corporate filings, campaign finance reports and property records.
• Produce accountability journalism that reveals who benefits, who is affected and what readers need to know.
• Collaborate with reporters across Florida to connect regional stories to statewide and national trends.
• Develop video, social and newsletter content that expands the reach and impact of key stories.
• Pursue stories from inception through aftermath, tracking consequences and holding institutions accountable over time.

What You'll Cover

• Real estate development and growth
• Wealth, philanthropy and influence
• Corporate power and economic development
• Government transparency and accountability
• Sports, entertainment and cultural power centers and people
• Housing, affordability and economic opportunity
• Emerging industries and innovation
• The individuals and institutions driving South Florida's future

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of reporting experience, preferably covering business, politics, government, investigations or accountability journalism.
• Demonstrated ability to break news and produce exclusive enterprise reporting.
• Strong source-building and interviewing skills.
• Experience working with public records, databases and financial documents.
• Ability to explain complex subjects with clarity and authority.
• Strong news judgment and understanding of audience interests.
• Experience with data journalism and investigative techniques is preferred.
• Ability to collaborate across newsroom teams and contribute to statewide coverage.
• Multimedia skills, including video and social storytelling, are a plus.

The hourly rate for this role will range between $24.28and $37.94. Variable incentive compensation, including commissions, is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, education level, location, and union representation, if applicable

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where USA TODAY Co. employs employees. In addition, USA TODAY Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with USA TODAY Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact USA TODAY Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at [e-mail]. Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.