At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive editorial coverage, generate exclusive content, and represent MandateWire across platforms.
- Company: Join the Financial Times, a leading news organisation known for integrity and quality journalism.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, medical cover, hybrid working, and opportunities to give back.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make an impact in journalism while connecting with industry leaders and uncovering exclusive stories.
- Qualifications: Experience in journalism, strong sourcing skills, and understanding of institutional investing required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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.
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.
The Role
MandateWire is a leading subscription-based publication within FT Specialist, providing exclusive intelligence on the investment activities of institutional investors worldwide. Its journalists uncover and report on the strategies, mandates and manager selection activity of pension funds, family offices, insurers, wealth managers, charities, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations and other asset owners. We are looking for an experienced Senior Reporter to help drive MandateWire’s editorial coverage, generate exclusive content and represent the publication across multiple platforms, including video and live events. This is a highly autonomous reporting role suited to a journalist with solid understanding of institutional investing, excellent sourcing skills and the ability to identify emerging trends before they become widely recognised. The successful candidate will break news, produce insightful analysis and develop a strong pipeline of exclusive stories with minimal editorial intervention. The Senior Reporter will also play an important role in developing MandateWire’s video output, supporting colleagues and representing the publication at industry events, roundtables and panel discussions.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct interviews with senior representatives of pension funds, insurers, charities, wealth managers and other asset owners.
- Generate exclusive news stories, mandate opportunities and market intelligence through direct sourcing and independent research.
- Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of story ideas, sources and industry contacts.
- Regularly break news and uncover emerging trends affecting asset owners and the wider institutional investment industry.
- Produce analytical and contextual reporting on investment strategies, asset allocation, manager selection and market developments.
- Write clear, accurate and well-structured copy requiring minimal editorial intervention.
- Demonstrate sound editorial judgement and uphold high standards of accuracy, integrity and fairness.
- Maintain accurate records within MandateWire’s editorial and contact management systems.
- Identify, secure and interview senior asset owners and industry figures for MandateWire video content.
- Develop and handle a forward‑looking schedule of video interviews.
- Coordinate video activity across the wider MandateWire team to support a consistent, high‑quality content pipeline.
- Translate editorial themes and market developments into engaging multimedia content.
- Represent MandateWire at conferences, roundtables and industry events.
- Chair and moderate panel discussions at Financial Times and FT Specialist events.
- Facilitate insightful discussions with senior institutional investors, consultants and asset managers.
- Build relationships that support editorial coverage, video output and event programming.
Required Skills and Experience
- Significant experience in journalism, financial journalism or institutional investment reporting.
- Demonstrated ability to generate exclusive stories and develop reporting from multiple sources.
- Strong understanding of institutional investing, including the priorities and activities of asset owners.
- Experience conducting interviews with senior executives, decision‑makers or subject‑matter experts.
- Experience moderating industry panels, conferences or roundtable discussions.
- Excellent interviewing skills and a confident, professional approach to source engagement.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify trends and explain their significance clearly.
- Outstanding written communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
- Proven ability to manage a consistent story pipeline and work independently.
- Strong organisational and time‑management skills.
- High level of professionalism when working with external contacts and internal stakeholders.
- Ability to produce accurate, high‑quality work under deadline pressure.
- Existing relationships within the UK and European institutional investment community.
- In‑depth knowledge of asset allocation, manager selection and institutional investment trends.
- An established and growing network of senior institutional investment contacts.
- Completion of CFA Investment Foundations training, or equivalent understanding of investment markets.
What’s in it for You?
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. We’ve embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in‑person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.
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.
Senior Reporter employer: Financial Times
The Financial Times is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where curiosity and ambition are celebrated. With a commitment to employee growth, the FT provides numerous opportunities for professional development, alongside a generous benefits package that includes flexible working arrangements and a supportive culture. Here, you can make a meaningful impact in journalism while connecting with a diverse community of experts in the heart of a global news organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Reporter
✨Get Involved in Local Journalism
Join local journalism groups or community events to meet industry folks and make connections. Try volunteering for community newspapers or online platforms – it's a great way to get your foot in the door and show your commitment to the craft.
✨Showcase Your Work Online
Create a personal website or a blog to showcase your best articles, videos, or multimedia projects. This not only highlights your skills but also demonstrates your passion for journalism and helps establish your personal brand in the media landscape.
✨Stay Updated on the Industry Trends
Follow industry leaders on social media and stay updated on the latest trends in journalism. Engage with them by sharing your thoughts or asking questions – you never know when an informative tweet might catch the eye of a recruiter or journalist at Financial Times!
✨Explore Internships for Full-Time Opportunities
Don’t shy away from internships, even if you’re looking for full-time roles. Many journalism companies, like Financial Times, often hire from their intern pool, so using these as stepping stones can really pay off. Keep an eye on their career page for any openings!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Reporter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Skills:In journalism and media, your ability to write well is essential, so make sure your CV and cover letter reflect that. Include diverse writing samples, whether they’re articles, blog posts, or reports, that showcase your style and versatility. We want to see your voice and ability to engage an audience from the get-go!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've interned at a media outlet or contributed to any publications—whether student-run or professional—don't keep it a secret! We love seeing real-world experience, so clearly detail your responsibilities and achievements. Quantify your impact where possible, like mentioning audience growth or story reach.
Tailor Your Application for Financial Times:When applying for the Senior Reporter role at Financial Times, really dig into what makes their content stand out. Reference their tone, style, or any recent articles that resonated with you in your cover letter. This shows we you’re not just sending out generic applications—you’re genuinely interested in what we do!
Prepare for a Portfolio Spotlight:Since you're applying for a full-time role, you're likely expected to have a portfolio ready to go. Make sure to curate a selection of your best work that aligns with what Financial Times produces. Provide a link to your online portfolio in your CV and be prepared to discuss your favourite pieces in interviews—this is your chance to shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Times
✨Show Off Your Writing Skills
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best writing samples. This is crucial in journalism as hiring managers want to see your voice and style. Make sure to include a variety of pieces, like news articles, features, and opinion pieces, showing your versatility.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
During the interview, be ready to discuss how you approach storytelling. You might be asked to outline a story you reported on, your process for gathering information, and how you engage your audience. Practice telling a couple of your best stories concisely and compellingly.
✨Know the Current Media Landscape
Be prepared to discuss industry trends and how they affect journalism today. Familiarise yourself with key developments in media, and have opinions ready for discussions about digital versus traditional platforms, as well as ethical considerations in reporting.
✨Convey Your Passion and Drive
As you’re applying for a full-time role, they’ll want to know about your long-term commitment to journalism. Share your aspirations for future projects, any internships or freelance work, and how you see yourself growing within Financial Times. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
