Head of Content / Editorial in London
Head of Content / Editorial

Head of Content / Editorial in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead editorial strategy and content creation for a leading LGBTQ+ media brand.
  • Company: Join Gay Times, a pioneering voice in LGBTQ+ media for over 40 years.
  • Benefits: Relocation support, competitive salary, and the chance to shape impactful journalism.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in LGBTQ+ media while driving audience engagement and growth.
  • Qualifications: Proven editorial experience, subscription platform knowledge, and a passion for LGBTQ+ advocacy.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with a global reach.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Relocation from certain countries to the UK is available for this role subject to visa approvals.

Reports to: Managing Director

Key Stakeholders: Board, Managing Director, Social & Editorial, Partnerships

The Context

Gay Times has been a leading voice in LGBTQ+ media for over 40 years, a legacy built on cultivating conversation and amplifying community voices. Continually adapting to the shifting media landscape, Gay Times pivoted to a social and digital-first strategy in the early 2020s, becoming the first LGBTQ+ media brand to surpass 1M followers on Instagram. Today, we command a global reach in the tens of millions. However, as the market evolves, so does our strategy. Over the next 24 months, our ambition is clear: to become the world’s leading LGBTQ+ journalism brand with the largest number of subscribers of any LGBTQ+ media company. With the roadmap set and the groundwork laid, the brand is primed to scale its subscription product, building deeper audience affinity and long-term loyalty through robust editorial output.

The Role

Gay Times is seeking a formidable Head of Content to spearhead the editorial of our subscription output. You are someone who pairs deep journalistic integrity with a data-driven approach to audience growth. You are strategic and commercially savvy. You will be the architect of our content strategy across our subscription platform and our social platforms - that drive to our platform. Your primary focus will be spearheading our content offering to scale our subscription product and deepen audience engagement in our core markets. As Head of Content, you will be driven by powerful LGBTQ+ editorial, whilst skillfully connecting it with business performance. You should be someone who lives in the news; deeply connected to the latest in politics, social and cultural stories. Beyond your editorial capacity, you are a product thinker who understands how to craft engaging content and analyse its performance to drive subscriber acquisition and retention. Your responsibilities will also include supporting the success of Gay Times Partnerships by providing the Advertising and Partner team with insights, concepts, and editorial thinking that reflects the voice of Gay Times and our audience’s interests, whilst addressing brand stakeholder objectives.

The Opportunity

This is a rare chance to shape the future of one of the world’s preeminent and longest-running LGBTQ+ media brands. You will have the autonomy to build a modern media product that serves a global community, underpinned by a sustainable, subscriber-first business model.

Core Responsibilities

  • Editorial Leadership & Strategy: Lead the daily content output for Gay Times with a primary focus on the subscription product, whilst strategically integrating social media and other top-of-funnel channels to accelerate subscriber conversion. Tailor content from a global lens, particularly to resonate with our core markets (USA and UK) across politics, culture, justice, community and more. Research and write compelling editorial, maintaining a strong brand voice that’s authoritative and intersectional. Curate and commission content across a wide range of topics from editorial contributors and submissions, optimising for audience engagement and impact by refining the output to align with readers’ behaviour and interest.
  • Subscription & Product Growth: Working alongside the Product lead, constantly test and iterate with content, formats and new offerings to identify what drives conversion and builds long-term loyalty. Develop and execute a vision for subscriber content, ensuring subscribers feel a unique and tangible value from their membership. Use performance data (traffic, dwell time, churn rates) to inform the editorial calendar and commissioning.
  • Commercial & Partnerships: Collaborate with the Partnerships team to develop strategy and creative concepts for brand briefs that feel authentic to the community. Support the Partnerships team with audience and community insights to help secure high-value partnerships to power our growth. Ensure that sponsored content and editorial integrity coexist across the ecosystem.
  • Team & Talent Management: Manage a core team of internal reports across editorial and social, fostering a high-performance, subscriber-driven culture. Maintain and expand a global network of external LGBTQ+ contributors and specialists to power specific projects and diverse storytelling.

The Ideal Candidate

  • Editorial Background: Proven experience in a senior editorial role, ideally within a digital-first media brand.
  • Subscription Expert: You have a track record of working with paywalls, memberships, or subscription platforms and understand the "funnel" from casual reader to loyal member.
  • Data-Obsessed: You live in analytics. You can translate raw numbers into actionable content pivots.
  • Community-Minded: A profound understanding of LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy is non-negotiable. You understand the nuances of the community and the importance of intersectional representation.
  • Commercially Savvy: You understand that great journalism requires a healthy business model. You are comfortable talking about revenue, ROI, and brand alignment.
  • US/UK Fluency: Whichever side of the pond you are based, you possess a "world-view" and can navigate the cultural and political landscapes across the globe with ease.

How to Apply

To apply — send a cover note and three links to relevant existing work to Applicants will be invited to a 20 minute pre-screening interview to assess eligibility. Following this, successful candidates will be invited to a 60-90 minute interview with members of the Board. You will be asked to prepare some materials before this interview. After this, you will have a final interview with the leadership team.

Head of Content / Editorial in London employer: GAY TIMES

At Gay Times, we pride ourselves on being a leading voice in LGBTQ+ media for over 40 years, fostering a vibrant work culture that champions diversity and inclusion. As the Head of Content, you will have the unique opportunity to shape our editorial strategy while enjoying a supportive environment that prioritises employee growth and innovation. With a commitment to meaningful journalism and a global reach, we offer competitive benefits and the chance to make a significant impact within a passionate community.
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Contact Detail:

GAY TIMES Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Content / Editorial in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Gay Times. Attend LGBTQ+ events or media conferences where you can meet potential colleagues and decision-makers. A friendly chat can go a long way!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best editorial work, especially pieces that resonate with LGBTQ+ themes. When you get the chance to chat with the team, share insights on how you’d approach their content strategy.

✨Tip Number 3

Be ready to discuss data! Since they’re looking for someone who’s data-obsessed, brush up on analytics related to audience engagement. Be prepared to talk about how you’ve used data to drive content decisions in the past.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Gay Times. Don’t forget to tailor your cover note to reflect your passion for LGBTQ+ advocacy and journalism!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Content / Editorial in London

Editorial Leadership
Content Strategy
Data Analysis
Audience Engagement
Subscription Growth
Commercial Acumen
Community Insights
Content Curation
Project Management
Team Management
LGBTQ+ Advocacy Understanding
Social Media Integration
Performance Metrics Interpretation
Creative Concept Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft a Compelling Cover Note: Your cover note is your first impression, so make it count! Keep it engaging and personal, showcasing your passion for LGBTQ+ media and how your experience aligns with our mission at Gay Times.

Showcase Your Best Work: When you send us those three links to your work, pick pieces that highlight your editorial prowess and understanding of subscription models. We want to see how you can drive engagement and growth!

Be Authentic: We value authenticity, so let your personality shine through in your application. Share your journey in the LGBTQ+ community and how it shapes your editorial vision. We’re looking for someone who truly connects with our audience.

Prepare for Interviews: Once you get that invite for an interview, do your homework! Familiarise yourself with our content and think about how you can contribute to our goals. We love candidates who come prepared with ideas and insights.

How to prepare for a job interview at GAY TIMES

✨Know Your Audience

Before the interview, dive deep into Gay Times' content and audience. Understand their editorial voice and the type of stories that resonate with their readers. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their mission and show that you're not just familiar with LGBTQ+ issues but also passionate about them.

✨Showcase Your Data Skills

Since the role requires a data-driven approach, be prepared to discuss how you've used analytics in past roles to inform content strategy. Bring examples of how you've translated data into actionable insights that led to subscriber growth or engagement. This will highlight your ability to connect editorial work with business performance.

✨Prepare for Strategic Questions

Expect questions about your vision for content strategy and how you would approach scaling a subscription model. Think about innovative ideas you could bring to the table and be ready to discuss how you'd balance editorial integrity with commercial goals. This shows you're not just a creative thinker but also commercially savvy.

✨Engage with the Team

During the interview, engage with the interviewers by asking insightful questions about their current challenges and future goals. This not only shows your interest in the role but also your willingness to collaborate and contribute to the team’s success. It’s a great way to demonstrate your leadership potential and team spirit.

Head of Content / Editorial in London
GAY TIMES
Location: London
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  • Head of Content / Editorial in London

    London
    Full-Time
    36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.)
  • G

    GAY TIMES

    50-100
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