At a Glance
- Tasks: Create engaging visuals and web pages to tell impactful stories.
- Company: Join the Financial Times, a leading global news organisation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Generous leave, medical cover, gym memberships, and community engagement opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse workplace committed to inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a difference in journalism while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for visual storytelling, data skills, and experience with web frameworks like React.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
This job is with Financial Times, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
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
The Financial Times is looking for a graphics journalist to join its Visual and Data team. The successful candidate will be able to create first-class visuals and bespoke web pages, and will be comfortable working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment. An enterprising and enthusiastic team player, they will be passionate about producing engaging, high-impact visual journalism and keen to use their technical skills to explain the news to readers.
Core responsibilities
- Stay on top of the news agenda and proactively identify stories ripe for visual storytelling. These can be major global events or long-running themes that transcend the daily news cycle.
- Work closely with designers, editors, reporters and engineers to find technical solutions, deciding how data, multimedia and text can be combined to communicate ideas to readers.
- Produce embeddable graphics for quick turnaround stories, as well as more immersive visual projects that can take several weeks.
- The role will involve collaborating with reporters from across the FT’s global network.
We are looking for
- An interest in global business, finance, economics, geopolitics, trade and tech.
- An awareness of visual storytelling and data visualisation techniques and an understanding of how they can be used to create exceptional visual journalism.
- Experience creating bespoke data visualisations and multimedia layouts using React or similar web frameworks.
- Numeracy and data-handling skills, including experience with programming languages such as R or Python, and the ability to think statistically.
- Excellent communication and people skills, as well as a desire to collaborate with others.
- The ability to adapt to changing technical and editorial needs on tight deadlines.
- Comfortable multitasking, working across more than one project at a time and taking ownership of the visual aspect of stories.
- Working with the latest AI tools while maintaining responsibility for quality and accuracy.
Desirable but not essential
- Experience of digital cartography.
- Motion graphics and video editing skills.
- Experience of working with 3D objects and Blender.
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 talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graphics journalist, Visual and Data desk ( Contractor)
✨Showcase Your Best Work
Get a professional portfolio together that highlights your best articles, podcasts, or videos. Use platforms like Medium or your own website to showcase your work. Remember, potential clients want to see your writing style and versatility!
✨Dive into Freelance Platforms
Check out freelance job boards like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr to find gigs suited for journalists and media professionals. Tailor your profile to highlight your niche expertise, whether it’s investigative reporting or digital content creation!
✨Network with Peers and Editors
Get involved in online journalism communities and forums. Join Facebook groups or Twitter chats where journalists hang out—this is where you can learn about confidential job leads and get personal referrals from fellow freelancers!
✨Pitch, Pitch, Pitch!
Don't wait for job offers to come to you. Actively pitch your ideas to publications. Research the editors of magazines or websites that inspire you—it’s all about getting your foot in the door. Who knows, your next big gig might come from a killer idea you send their way!
We think you need these skills to ace Graphics journalist, Visual and Data desk ( Contractor)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Best Work:As a freelance journalist, your portfolio is everything! Curate a selection of your best articles, blog posts, or multimedia projects that showcase your writing flair and versatility. Make sure to include a variety of topics and styles, and consider linking them directly in your application for easy access!
Tailor Your Pitch:When applying for a freelance role like this one with Financial Times, don’t just send a generic application. Tailor your pitch to resonate with Financial Times’s values and areas of focus. Mention specific articles or projects from them that inspire you and explain how your skills align with their mission — this shows you’ve done your homework!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Got experience in journalism or media? Make sure you highlight it! Whether it's internships, previous freelance gigs, or even writing for your uni paper, detail what you did and how it’s relevant to the role at Financial Times. Specific achievements, like awards or recognitions, can also give you that extra edge!
Flexibility & Availability:Since you're freelancing, mentioning your availability is key! Being flexible can make you more attractive to Financial Times. In your application, clearly outline your current workload and when you can take on new projects, so they can see you're ready to jump in when needed!
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Times
✨Showcase Your Unique Voice
As freelancers in journalism and media, it's crucial to highlight your unique storytelling style. Share examples of your work that demonstrate your voice and perspective – whether that’s through articles, videos, or podcasts. This helps Financial Times see what you can bring to the table!
✨Pitch Stories Like a Pro
Freelancing often means you're selling your ideas just as much as your skills. Prepare a few story pitches that align with Financial Times’s focus and ethos, showing them you understand their audience and what they value. This will make you stand out as a proactive candidate who’s already thinking about content for them.
✨Be Ready for Technical Know-How
Expect technical questions related to the media tools and software you're familiar with — whether it’s editing software like Adobe Premiere or content management systems. Brush up on these tools, as being able to confidently discuss your tech skills could clinch your position!
✨Focus on Flexibility and Networking
As a freelancer, flexibility can be your ace in the hole. During your interview, be prepared to discuss how you manage your time and juggle multiple projects. Plus, if you have a network of contacts or collaborators, mention that too – it shows you're connected and can produce engaging content reliably.
