Style Politics Reporter

The Washington Post is seeking a sharp, curious and versatile reporter to cover the people, personalities and cultural forces that shape Washington politics. 

This Style section role will focus on illuminating the people — both famous and obscure — who animate the capital. From the social circuits, group chats and digital ecosystems that define modern political life, this beat captures the mood, the moments and the meaning behind Washington’s ever-shifting cast of characters. 

We’re looking for a versatile journalist who can move fluidly across story forms, settings and political parties — navigating the halls of power as comfortably as the cocktail parties, salons and online spaces where influence takes shape. The role will include quick-turn profiles, trend pieces, reported features and occasional longer-form narratives.  

The ideal candidate is both a reporter and a storyteller — someone who can break news but also interpret the undercurrents and cultural signals that define a political moment. This is a role for a writer who is capable of elevating readers’ understanding of the intricacies and excesses of Washington in these dynamic times. 

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom. 

What Motivates You: 

• You are fascinated by the personalities and cultural currents that shape politics. 

• You have an instinct for the telling detail — and the story everyone senses but hasn’t yet articulated. 

• You can move between quick hits, smart features and deeper narrative work. 

• You’re curious about how power operates socially as well as politically. 

• You bring a sense of humor and a distinctive voice to your writing. 

How You’ll Support the Mission: 

• Cover the people and personalities shaping Washington politics, from prominent figures to emerging players. 

• Produce quick-turn profiles of the moment’s most talked-about figures, as well as deeper reported features. 

• Identify and write about cultural trends, social dynamics and undercurrents within political life.

• Report occasionally on the role of the first lady. 

• Develop sources across political, social and media circles. 

• Produce storytelling and analysis across formats — from newsletters to features to social content.  

• Collaborate with editors, visual teams and colleagues across the newsroom to produce distinctive storytelling. 

The Skills and Experiences You Bring: 

• A track record of producing compelling reporting on politics, culture or related beats. 

• Strong writing skills with a clear, engaging and distinctive voice. 

• Demonstrated ability to move quickly on deadline while also producing ambitious enterprise. 

• Sharp news judgment and an instinct for stories that resonate with broad audiences. 

• Ability to spot emerging trends and cultural shifts. 

• Strong reporting and source-building skills. 

• A sense of humor and a feel for tone and timing. 

Interested candidates should upload a résumé, a cover letter describing your interest and experience — along with a few story ideas — and three clips (as PDFs) to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Apr. 30 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Features Editor Amanda Finnegan and Deputy Features Editor Ellen McCarthy. 

The salary range for this position is $97,400 - $162,300. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.