Southeast Asia Bureau Chief

Role overview

The New York Times is hiring a seasoned journalist to lead its Southeast Asia coverage for the International team. This position is centered on reporting from the region and shaping coverage across politics, geopolitics, culture, climate, identity, gender, religion, technology, economic change, corruption, and other major developments. The role calls for strong editorial judgment, energetic reporting, and the ability to manage bureau-level operations while collaborating with colleagues across the newsroom.

The bureau chief will be based somewhere in Southeast Asia; the specific city will be confirmed with the recruiter during the interview process. This position reports to a regional editor located in the Seoul newsroom.

Key responsibilities

The role involves leading coverage of urgent news, in-depth enterprise stories, and investigations across the region. It also includes generating story ideas, turning them into polished reporting, and helping steer coverage around major regional developments.

You will be expected to build and maintain a strong sourcing network, including stringers, reporters, translators, and interpreters, to expand reporting reach. The position also requires close partnership with reporters in the region during significant breaking-news moments.

Another important part of the job is working with Photo, Video, Audio, and other teams to present stories in different formats across New York Times platforms. In addition, you will oversee bureau logistics and day-to-day operations.

What the team is looking for

The ideal candidate brings substantial international reporting experience, preferably from a major global news organization. A strong track record of breaking stories and sourcing original ideas is important, along with the ability to find fresh ways to present journalism.

The New York Times is also looking for someone who collaborates well across teams and regions, especially with visual journalists. Fairness, independence, and a strong commitment to journalistic ethics are essential. Regional language ability is helpful, though it is not required.

Application requirements

Applicants must provide a resume, cover letter, a PDF or link to their best 5 to 7 clips, and a coverage memo describing the themes and specific stories they would want to pursue. The application deadline is July 22, 2026.

Additional information

For roles in the United States, compensation may include variable pay such as an annual bonus and restricted stock, depending on the role. U.S. benefits can include medical, dental, and vision coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts, a company-matching 401(k), paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and professional development programs.

For positions outside the United States, benefit details are shared during the interview process.

Candidates are expected to submit their own work and not rely on generative AI tools to create substantive application or interview content. Engineering applicants will be told separately which AI tools may be used for technical assessments.

The company states that it is committed to independent, reliable, high-quality journalism and to building a diverse workforce. It is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants regardless of protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available for the application or interview process by contacting reasonable.accommodations@nytimes.com. Applicants with criminal histories are encouraged to apply, and hiring decisions will follow applicable fair-chance laws.

The organization also provides a privacy notice for applicants and warns against fraudulent job postings or fake offers. Legitimate opportunities are available only through The New York Times careers site, and applicants should never send money or financial information to anyone claiming to offer employment. Suspected fraud can be reported to NYTapplicants@nytimes.com or to the Federal Trade Commission or a state attorney general.

Reference

REQ-020355