Central Europe Correspondent

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 We are looking for an enterprising and energetic central Europe correspondent, based in Warsaw, to cover Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Economic outperformance, highly polarised politics with strong illiberal nationalist forces and the race to rearm against the Russian threat make the region increasingly important to Europe’s future. Poland is becoming a European powerhouse with one of the EU’s fastest growing economies and biggest armies together with the highest defence spending as a share of GDP. Warsaw has become a pivotal player on many EU issues, including the budget, enlargement, defence, support for Ukraine and relations with the US. Prague and Bratislava, both under illiberal eurosceptic relations, are potential EU disrupters. A priority will be covering Poland’s parliamentary elections, which must take place by November 2027. Donald Tusk’s pro-EU coalition government is locked in a feud with the country’s nationalist president and has disappointed many Poles. But the opposition Law and Justice party under Tusk’s arch enemy Jarosław Kaczyński is in turmoil and sliding in the polls. The correspondent will be expected to closely track the trajectories of billionaire Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš and Slovakia’s pro-Kremlin premier Robert Fico for any backsliding on democratic standards and the rule of law. The region is well-tied into the German industrial machine and has some exciting high growth companies, particularly in the defence sector. But it is potentially vulnerable to Germany’s industrial woes. Slovakia is suffering from a car industry slow-down while Poland’s economy continues to power ahead. All face labour and skills shortages, wage inflation and a massive challenge to decarbonise their power and industrial sectors. Key responsibilities Generate scoops and exclusive interviews while writing breaking news and original features and contributing to other sections of the FT Cooperate effectively with colleagues in Brussels, London and across the European network, especially the Ukraine and Russia teams Demonstrate expertise in reporting across all digital platforms Numerate and excellent proficiency in handling data Produce simple charts and identify opportunities to collaborate with Visual and Data journalism team Engage with our audience through social media and interactive content We are looking for A flexible, energetic and enterprising self-starter Capable of building and maintaining contacts in multiple countries and comfortable writing for all parts of the paper, from the companies section to the Weekend Magazine The ability to grasp complex issues that cross political, economic and business disciplines and to collaborate effectively with editors and correspondents Knowledge of Polish or another Slavic language would be a big advantage but is not a prerequisite Please submit your application by the end of the day, Sunday May 24 2026. 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 talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help. #LI-AV1