Correspondent in Sunderland

Policy Correspondent, Spotlight

Location: Farringdon, London (four days/week in the office, one day from home)

Spotlight is the New Statesman’s award-winning policy section and supplement. We report on the ideas shaping the future of the UK, with a particular focus on the intersection between politics, public policy and business. From housing and healthcare to education, AI, energy and the economy, Spotlight covers the full spectrum of policy areas with rigour, authority and clarity. We publish in-depth features, interviews, opinion pieces and reports, both editorial and commercially sponsored, for an audience of policymakers, business leaders and engaged readers.

We are looking for a Policy Correspondent to join our team. The successful candidate will be a strong writer and original thinker with a keen interest in domestic policy and the machinery of government. You’ll work closely with the Spotlight editor to pitch and produce compelling features and analysis, contribute to long-form special reports and supplements, and help shape our coverage across a range of topics.

This is a wide-ranging role that requires intellectual curiosity, strong editorial judgment and an ability to explain complex ideas clearly. You’ll need to be confident conducting interviews, sourcing data, identifying story angles and turning around high-quality copy on tight deadlines.

Reporting to the Spotlight editor, you will:

• pitch and write original features, profiles, interviews and analysis across a broad range of policy topics
• research trends, identify story angles and propose both reactive and long-form coverage ideas
• conduct interviews with politicians, policymakers, academics and industry figures
• commission or edit contributions from external writers
• contribute to supplements and commercially sponsored content
• work with layouts and design to bring copy to publication standard.

Skills and experience:

• Experience in journalism, policy communications or a similar editorial environment
• Excellent writing, research and explanatory skills
• A solid understanding of UK politics and policymaking
• The confidence and initiative to pitch ideas and conduct interviews
• Experience in commissioning or editing (desirable)
• Familiarity with Adobe InDesign (desirable)

Company benefits

• 25 days\' holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Additional days off for your birthday, health and well-being day and volunteering day
• Subscription to NS, other group publications and all other online content
• Access to a discounted shopping program
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Enhanced company sick pay after probation

To apply, please submit your CV and a short covering letter outlining your suitability for the role. Applications meeting the selection criteria will be reviewed as soon as possible.

New Statesman Limited values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. Please inform the hiring manager if you require any reasonable adjustments so that you can fully participate in the recruitment process.

Please note, candidates must have, or be able to independently obtain, the right to live and work in the United Kingdom as we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.