Commissioning Editor - Product Reviews & Audience Growth in London

Commissioning Editor - Product Reviews & Audience Growth in London

London Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Commission and edit engaging product reviews and articles to grow our audience.
  • Company: Join the Guardian, a diverse and inclusive global media organisation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy six weeks annual leave, generous pension contributions, and wellness support.
  • Other info: We champion diversity and offer tools for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in journalism while developing your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in editing and commissioning content for national news or publishing brands.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless, investigative journalism, and holds power to account. Our team of award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial professionals, and industry-leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development, with a focus on training, growth and fostering an inclusive culture.

The Filter is the Guardian's independent product reviews and recommendations section which offers our readers trustworthy buying advice and sustainable shopping ideas. As a commissioning editor for the Filter, you will play a central role in helping to grow this thriving section and find new audiences. The role involves:

  • Commissioning and editing new articles and updates to evergreen articles
  • Generating ideas
  • Contributing to articles and newsletters

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract or staff secondment.

About the role:

  • Originate ambitious, engaging editorial ideas and support team members to develop their own ideas to high standards
  • Commission different article and content types - features, product reviews, group tests, gift guides, sustainability-focused articles and newsletters - from both freelance and in-house writers
  • Edit articles to a high standard; support the editor and deputy editor in managing deadlines and process
  • Help the editor and deputy editor commission and edit updates to our growing bank of evergreen articles
  • Work closely with the editor, deputy editor and picture editors to coordinate photography and video plans
  • Develop product testing methodologies for new group tests
  • Work closely with design colleagues, video and social media teams to ensure our journalism is showcased at its best; originate ambitious ideas for showcasing it in new, exciting ways
  • Use audience data to support potential ideas and track performance and engagement, working closely with the audience editor

About you:

  • Demonstrable experience of working in an editing role at a national news or publishing brand
  • Proven track record of commissioning freelancers and staff writers, and experience of consumer reviews and recommendations
  • Experience collaborating with a production team (sub-editors, photo-editors) in making sure journalism is engaging and published at a high standard
  • Experience with social media platforms, SEO and a sense of how and where reviews journalism performs best on each platform
  • Understanding and knowledge of analytics, search and other measurements of audience
  • Proven ability to produce high-quality product reviews and shopping journalism that maintain high standards of editorial independence
  • Understanding of the Guardian's role in the media landscape and how the Filter's readers' needs differ to other consumers
  • 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.

How to apply:

To apply, please upload your latest CV and a cover letter which outlines why you'd love to take on this role, and why you're a great match for what we're looking for. The closing date for applications is Thursday 4th June 2026. All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to help your application, this includes providing documents in accessible formats or personalising the process to better support your needs.

Benefits at the Guardian:

  • Six weeks of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days
  • Generous pension scheme; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age)
  • Two volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving
  • Season ticket loans
  • Life cover, income protection, and eye tests
  • Option to opt in to dental insurance
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies
  • Support for IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality

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, alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme. Our canteen 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.

Commissioning Editor - Product Reviews & Audience Growth in London employer: GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA

At the Guardian, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions diversity and personal growth. As a Commissioning Editor in our dynamic team, you'll enjoy generous benefits such as six weeks of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to wellness initiatives, all while contributing to impactful journalism that resonates with a global audience. Our commitment to employee development and wellbeing, alongside our B Corp status, makes the Guardian a truly rewarding place to advance your career.

GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA

Contact Details:

GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Commissioning Editor - Product Reviews & Audience Growth in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at the Guardian or similar organisations. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.

Tip Number 2

Show off your personality! When you get an interview, let your passion for product reviews and audience growth shine through. Be yourself and share your unique ideas on how to engage readers.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the unexpected! Research common interview questions for commissioning editors and think about how your experience aligns with the role. But also be ready for curveballs that test your creativity!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It shows you're keen and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.

We think you need these skills to ace Commissioning Editor - Product Reviews & Audience Growth in London

Editorial Skills
Commissioning Experience
Content Development
Editing Skills
Project Management
Collaboration with Production Teams
Understanding of SEO

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to express why you're excited about the role and how your experience aligns with what we're looking for. Be genuine and let your personality come through!

Tailor Your CV:Don't just send the same CV for every application. Tailor it to highlight your relevant experience in editing, commissioning, and product reviews. Show us how your skills can contribute to the Filter's mission!

Showcase Your Editorial Experience:We want to see your track record! Include specific examples of your work in editing roles, especially any experience with consumer reviews and recommendations. This will help us understand your expertise in the field.

Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our website for a smooth process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep everything organised. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!

How to prepare for a job interview at GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA

Know Your Audience

Before the interview, take some time to understand the Guardian's audience and how the Filter caters to their needs. Familiarise yourself with recent articles and trends in product reviews and recommendations. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

Showcase Your Editorial Experience

Be ready to discuss your previous editing roles and how you've successfully commissioned content. Prepare specific examples of how you've worked with freelancers and in-house writers to produce high-quality journalism. Highlight any experience you have with consumer reviews and how you've maintained editorial independence.

Bring Ideas to the Table

Think about innovative editorial ideas that could enhance the Filter's offerings. During the interview, share your thoughts on potential features, group tests, or sustainability-focused articles. This shows initiative and that you're already thinking about how to contribute to the team.

Understand Analytics and Audience Engagement

Familiarise yourself with how audience data can inform content decisions. Be prepared to discuss how you've used analytics in past roles to track performance and engagement. This will demonstrate your ability to align editorial strategies with audience needs, which is crucial for the role.