At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as an Acting Picture Editor, sourcing and editing impactful photography for our news sections.
- Company: The Financial Times is a globally respected news organisation known for its integrity and quality journalism.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, medical cover, gym memberships, and a hybrid working model for flexibility.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives and fosters your growth and creativity.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning photography and proficiency in Photoshop and Creative Cloud are essential.
- Other info: We are committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring all voices are heard and valued.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ 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: The Financial Times is seeking an experienced picture editor to cover a period of parental leave. This role is required 4 days a week from Tuesday-Friday. We are looking for someone with a stellar record in the commissioning and use of news and feature photography, and with brilliant ideas on how photography can be used to maximum effect across multiple news and features formats. Working in the newsroom's visual department comprising the main picture and design desks, you will:
- Source, commission and edit pictures for the Money and Work & Careers sections.
- Work closely with senior editors, principally across digital platforms, and demonstrate daily how photography enhances our journalism.
- Help deliver the FT’s overall visual strategy, focusing on attracting readers to a story and knowing how to keep them engaged.
- Deliver a sophisticated visual language for our stories and their promotion, from still news photography to feature images and video clips.
What we are looking for: You will know that the FT's coverage extends beyond the boardroom and markets to politics, the environment, society, the arts and the workplace. We are a trusted source of news, opinion and analysis with a global network of reporters – our photography brings that reach to our readers in both digital and print. As the media landscape evolves, the FT has developed its visual language to match. Our aim is to keep this trusted, award-winning brand at the cutting edge of the spectrum that includes photography, in-house artwork, illustration and motion design. You will be as comfortable commissioning an interview portrait with a head of state as reportage photography from the US election campaign trail. You will also have experience of commissioning to new formats including video clips and immersive picture essays. A skilled visual journalist with a sophisticated grasp of the current and evolving design landscape. Experience in commissioning photographers for interviews, features and picture essays. Confident in Photoshop and the rest of the Creative Cloud suite – able to reproduce the best version of an image and make visuals and other materials when required.
Please submit your application by the end of the day, Thursday 3rd July 2025.
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 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.
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 hybrid working model (three days per week 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.
Acting Picture Editor employer: Financial Times
Contact Detail:
Financial Times Recruiting Team
talent@ft.com
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Acting Picture Editor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Financial Times' visual style and recent photography trends. Understanding how they use images to enhance storytelling will help you demonstrate your fit for the role during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the Financial Times, especially those in the visual department. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare a portfolio that showcases your best work in commissioning and editing photography. Highlight projects that align with the FT's focus on diverse topics like politics, society, and the arts to show your versatility.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current events and how they are visually represented in media. Being able to discuss recent news stories and their photographic coverage will demonstrate your engagement with the industry during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Acting Picture Editor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Acting Picture Editor position. Familiarise yourself with the Financial Times' visual strategy and how photography enhances their journalism.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in commissioning and editing photography. Include specific examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to enhance storytelling through visuals, particularly in news and feature formats.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for visual journalism and your understanding of the Financial Times' mission. Discuss how your skills align with their needs and provide examples of how you've successfully used photography in your previous roles.
Showcase Your Portfolio: Include a link to your portfolio that showcases your best work as a picture editor. Make sure it includes a variety of formats, such as still images, video clips, and immersive picture essays, to demonstrate your versatility and creativity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Times
✨Showcase Your Visual Storytelling Skills
As an Acting Picture Editor, your ability to tell a story through images is crucial. Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best work, focusing on how you've used photography to enhance narratives in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific examples during the interview.
✨Understand the FT's Visual Strategy
Familiarise yourself with the Financial Times' visual language and recent projects. Demonstrating knowledge of their approach to photography and how it aligns with their journalism will show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about your technical skills, especially regarding Photoshop and the Creative Cloud suite. Brush up on your editing techniques and be prepared to discuss how you would approach different types of visual content, from stills to video clips.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
The role involves working closely with senior editors and other departments. Highlight your experience in collaborative environments and your ability to communicate effectively with diverse teams. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with others to achieve a common goal.