Journalist Wellbeing and Safety Editor in London

Journalist Wellbeing and Safety Editor in London

London Full-Time 31500 - 38500 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead initiatives to protect journalists' wellbeing and safety in a dynamic newsroom environment.
  • Company: Join the Guardian, a pioneering media organisation committed to journalist safety.
  • Benefits: Enjoy six weeks annual leave, generous pension contributions, and comprehensive health support.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by safeguarding journalists in an increasingly challenging landscape.
  • Qualifications: Experience in mental health frameworks, digital security, and crisis management is essential.

The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.

Fearless, independent reporting requires a steadfast commitment to the wellbeing and safety of those who deliver it. At the Guardian, safeguarding our journalists is fundamental to our editorial mission. We're looking for a journalist wellbeing and safety editor to develop and implement deliverable and effective strategies to protect Guardian journalists from physical and online harm and provide wellbeing support for work-related matters.

Working closely with the managing editors' team, you will act as the Guardian's central lead on duty of care for journalists. You will design, embed and oversee practical strategies that protect our editorial staff in an evolving and increasingly hostile climate. This role primarily supports our UK editorial operations including our network of international correspondents, while collaborating closely with colleagues across Guardian US and Guardian Australia to maintain and elevate global best practices. This is a permanent NUJ contract, on a 5-day-week working pattern.

About the role

  • Work with managing editors to review and formalise newsroom-wide risk assessment protocols, ensuring rigorous health and safety standards are applied to all reporting assignments, particularly in high-risk environments.
  • Build a picture of the wellbeing and psychological challenges faced by journalists as a result of their work, consider how we can best support staff, and make costed and practical recommendations, leading on delivery following adoption.
  • Be a central point for reporting online abuse and physical safety concerns, managing and triaging cases, ensuring affected journalists receive timely support, and coordinating with security, information security and legal teams and managing editors as needed.
  • Design and implement comprehensive training programmes for journalists and managers (e.g., hostile environment training), working in conjunction with the editorial training and development editor.
  • Develop and deliver training for journalists and managers on digital safety, such as securing social media accounts and preparing for potential responses to our published journalism.
  • Work with our commercial partners and with social media companies and tech platforms to address specific incidents and push for action on abusive accounts or content as well as systemic improvements to platform safety.
  • Gain a real-time understanding of the frequency and type of abuse our staff are facing (online and offline) to understand patterns of behaviour and implement relevant safety precautions and training in an informed way.

About you

  • The ability to develop and deliver mental health and wellbeing frameworks and strategies for journalists, ideally within a newsroom environment.
  • Familiarity with digital threats such as doxing, hacking, and platform-specific privacy settings.
  • The ability to develop and deliver safety strategies and training for both journalists and managers.
  • Good knowledge of, or demonstrable interest in, online threats, digital security and relevant policies.
  • Strong knowledge of physical safety protocols, including risk assessments and health and safety regulations relevant to reporting.
  • Understanding of the UK and global political landscape and how this might impact staff safety or lead to targeted abuse.
  • Ideally, experience of dealing with social media platforms and lobbying them to take action when online abuse is posted and shared.
  • Ability to respond calmly and systematically to high-severity threats or coordinated attacks, with experience in crisis management a benefit.
  • Extensive experience of working in a fast-paced digital environment with a deep understanding of a newsroom and the environments where journalists work.
  • Experience of working collaboratively with the media industry, platforms, government, academics and training providers.
  • Ideally, you'll have a demonstrable ability to bring a diverse perspective to this role.

We actively encourage applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in the UK media. We operate in a hybrid environment with both working from our offices in King's Cross in London at least three days a week, and from home. The salary for this NUJ position starts from £76,728, with the final offer determined by the successful candidate's skills, experience, and responsibilities. The closing date for applications is Monday 16 November 2026.

Benefits at the Guardian

  • You'll have six weeks of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase additional days.
  • Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age).
  • We believe in giving back, which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving.
  • Season ticket loans are also available.
  • You are entitled to life cover, income protection, and eye tests. You can also opt in to dental insurance.
  • We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place.
  • We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality policy.

Culture and wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We became the first major media organisation to achieve B Corp status.

We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and wellbeing. In addition, we also offer free yoga and pilates classes. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme. Our staff restaurant has views overlooking the Regents Canal and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Learning and development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.

Journalist Wellbeing and Safety Editor in London employer: Guardian News and Media Limited

At the Guardian, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions diversity and employee wellbeing. As a Salesforce Developer in our Supporter Revenue Platform team, you'll enjoy competitive benefits including generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and comprehensive healthcare options, all while contributing to impactful journalism. Our commitment to professional growth is evident through opportunities for collaboration in a cross-functional agile environment, ensuring you can thrive both personally and professionally.

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Contact Details:

Guardian News and Media Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Journalist Wellbeing and Safety Editor in London

✨Get Involved in Local Journalism

Join local journalism groups or community events to meet industry folks and make connections. Try volunteering for community newspapers or online platforms – it's a great way to get your foot in the door and show your commitment to the craft.

✨Showcase Your Work Online

Create a personal website or a blog to showcase your best articles, videos, or multimedia projects. This not only highlights your skills but also demonstrates your passion for journalism and helps establish your personal brand in the media landscape.

✨Stay Updated on the Industry Trends

Follow industry leaders on social media and stay updated on the latest trends in journalism. Engage with them by sharing your thoughts or asking questions – you never know when an informative tweet might catch the eye of a recruiter or journalist at Guardian News and Media Limited!

✨Explore Internships for Full-Time Opportunities

Don’t shy away from internships, even if you’re looking for full-time roles. Many journalism companies, like Guardian News and Media Limited, often hire from their intern pool, so using these as stepping stones can really pay off. Keep an eye on their career page for any openings!

We think you need these skills to ace Journalist Wellbeing and Safety Editor in London

Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework Development
Risk Assessment Protocols
Crisis Management
Digital Security Knowledge
Training Programme Design
Understanding of Online Threats
Physical Safety Protocols

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Writing Skills:In journalism and media, your ability to write well is essential, so make sure your CV and cover letter reflect that. Include diverse writing samples, whether they’re articles, blog posts, or reports, that showcase your style and versatility. We want to see your voice and ability to engage an audience from the get-go!

Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've interned at a media outlet or contributed to any publications—whether student-run or professional—don't keep it a secret! We love seeing real-world experience, so clearly detail your responsibilities and achievements. Quantify your impact where possible, like mentioning audience growth or story reach.

Tailor Your Application for Guardian News and Media Limited:When applying for the Journalist Wellbeing and Safety Editor role at Guardian News and Media Limited, really dig into what makes their content stand out. Reference their tone, style, or any recent articles that resonated with you in your cover letter. This shows we you’re not just sending out generic applications—you’re genuinely interested in what we do!

Prepare for a Portfolio Spotlight:Since you're applying for a full-time role, you're likely expected to have a portfolio ready to go. Make sure to curate a selection of your best work that aligns with what Guardian News and Media Limited produces. Provide a link to your online portfolio in your CV and be prepared to discuss your favourite pieces in interviews—this is your chance to shine!

How to prepare for a job interview at Guardian News and Media Limited

✨Show Off Your Writing Skills

Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best writing samples. This is crucial in journalism as hiring managers want to see your voice and style. Make sure to include a variety of pieces, like news articles, features, and opinion pieces, showing your versatility.

✨Master the Art of Storytelling

During the interview, be ready to discuss how you approach storytelling. You might be asked to outline a story you reported on, your process for gathering information, and how you engage your audience. Practice telling a couple of your best stories concisely and compellingly.

✨Know the Current Media Landscape

Be prepared to discuss industry trends and how they affect journalism today. Familiarise yourself with key developments in media, and have opinions ready for discussions about digital versus traditional platforms, as well as ethical considerations in reporting.

✨Convey Your Passion and Drive

As you’re applying for a full-time role, they’ll want to know about your long-term commitment to journalism. Share your aspirations for future projects, any internships or freelance work, and how you see yourself growing within Guardian News and Media Limited. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.