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What they do

Semafor is a global news company. Its reporters and editors publish original journalism, email briefings, video shows, and live journalism events. Its signature briefing is Flagship, which sums up world news for senior executives and policymakers. Coverage includes politics, business, technology, energy, media, the Gulf, China, and Africa. Advertisers and partners help pay for the newsroom.

What they value

• Transparent news: each story keeps facts apart from analysis and opinion.
• Distilled views: original reporting sits beside views from other sources.
• Global perspectives: readers learn what drives decisions in other countries.
• Editorial independence: advertisers have no bearing on the coverage.

Where they hire

Nine of the 16 open roles are in New York, and two are in Washington, DC. One is open in either city. One is in London, one is anywhere in the United States, and two are remote. Several New York roles are in the office Monday to Thursday. The designer role requires authorization to work in the United States.

Teams and roles

The board lists 16 roles across the newsroom, events, and the business teams. One role is in design, and there are no software engineering roles.

• Editorial: an Asia Editor who builds a reporting team in Asia, and the Lead Editor of Flagship in London. There are also two reporters, one for business and finance and one for technology and AI. Semafor prefers Singapore for the Asia Editor.
• Events and live journalism: three temporary or contract roles for the flagship events. They book senior guests, look after executive speakers, and write briefing packets.
• Sales and marketing: a sales director in Washington who builds partnerships with advertisers, and a director who runs client programs after the sale. A senior creative strategist writes and designs proposals for clients.
• Finance and operations: a senior accountant, a lead for accounts payable and travel expenses, and a senior manager of HR operations who also leads the New York office move. An executive business partner supports the Chief Commercial Officer and manages the office.
• Product: a senior product designer who works with Editorial, Product, and Engineering on news products.
• Video: a paid fellowship for an entry-level video producer.

Fourteen of the 16 postings state the pay. Full-time salaried employees get flexible paid time off with no fixed limit.

What they look for

Most postings ask for a passion for journalism and the media industry. They also ask for people who work without close supervision and help wherever the team needs them. Many describe the work as fast-paced and entrepreneurial.

Reporter roles ask for at least five years of experience, a record of scoops, and senior sources. Editors must also write, moderate events, and appear on TV, radio, and podcasts. The Asia Editor needs more than ten years in journalism and a record of newsroom leadership.

The two director roles ask for eight to ten years or more in media, with experience of senior clients. Finance roles ask for four or more years and strong Excel skills. Events roles ask for excellent writing and calm work with executives. The designer must be comfortable with AI tools in design work.

Sales, marketing, and design roles include travel. The video fellowship includes an editing and writing exercise in the interview process. Other postings do not describe the interview steps.