At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to create engaging local news content for print and digital platforms.
- Company: Join Newsquest Media Group, a leading regional news publisher in the UK.
- Benefits: Permanent position with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.
- Other info: Dynamic newsroom environment with a focus on mentorship and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape local journalism and connect with your community through compelling storytelling.
- Qualifications: Qualified senior journalist with strong editing and audience engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced journalist to join our newsdesk team - producing the Worcester News, Malvern Gazette/Ledbury Reporter and Evesham/Cotswold Journal. Our Audience & Content Editors (ACEs) are at the heart of our newsroom - driving our journalists to produce the best local news content for both our digital and print readers. If you are passionate about print journalism and digital audience engagement and have a good eye for a compelling story, this could be the role for you.
As one of our Audience & Content Editors, you will play a pivotal role in curating and shaping content for our print publications as well as our rapidly growing digital audience. The role will see you work closely with our reporters, designers, and editorial teams to ensure our print editions meet the highest editorial standards, whilst also helping to grow our websites, delivering high-quality digital stories that people want to read and ensuring we are the go-to place for local news. A key part of this role is mentoring and helping our reporting team to produce quality journalism that appeals to the widest audience possible. Applicants must be qualified senior journalists (NCTJ). This role is based in our Worcester office and involves working some rota weekends.
Key Responsibilities
- To play a key role in the training of reporters
- Run the news list, ensuring a steady flow of copy and pictures, and a good content mix for all platforms we publish on, including social media
- Monitor stories being filed by reporters, making sure they are presented to the highest standard
- Run daily reporter meetings to give direction and guidance to reporters regarding their stories
- Organise our print, digital and social media schedules
- Continue to grow our huge number of loyal readers by analysing what they read and when
- Understand our social and web audience and how it differs from our print audience
- Look after the website homepage, using analytics to decide what should go where
- Help devise a content strategy to drive page views and digital subscriptions
- Lead the digital subscriptions strategy in conjunction with the editor
- Play a part in sending out daily newsletters to drive digital subscriptions
- To organise news coverage and manage a team of reporters, including running the daily news diary to ensure news coverage seven days a week
- Monitor and use audience analytics, mainly Parsely and other new tools, as required
- Be familiar with digital tools and techniques, from sending out breaking news alerts to posting in certain Facebook groups to boost the reach of articles
- Be available to work weekends, evenings, public holidays and any other shift if necessary
- Have a sound and up-to-date knowledge of media law
- Liaise with and support other departments, including advertising, newspaper sales and marketing and any others with content and projects when necessary
- Understand and abide by the IPSO Code of Practice.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- A background in local print journalism and editorial management.
- Excellent editing, proofreading, and content curation skills.
- A deep understanding of audience engagement strategies for print media.
- Proficiency in layout planning and collaboration with design teams.
- The ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Local knowledge of Worcestershire is preferable.
About Newsquest Media Group: We are a media company with a difference. We are committed to bringing a voice to your region by investing in a passionate team of journalists who proudly serve their communities by sharing authoritative news that readers trust. Our sales teams provide local businesses with highly responsive digital advertising and marketing solutions. We are one of the largest regional news publishers in the UK and have a portfolio of more than 250+ local news brands and magazines online and in print. With an online audience of 41 million users a month and 7 million readers a week in print, our content is read by a substantial proportion of the UK population.
In addition to our local news brands, we own a number of digital pure play and specialist media businesses such as s1jobs and s1homes, Exchange & Mart, and Newsquest Specialist Media. We also own LOCALiQ, an award-winning digital marketing agency that specialises in driving more leads, increasing online growth and generating return on marketing investment on behalf of thousands of UK SMBs.
Audience and Content Editor in Birmingham employer: Newsquest Media Group
The National offers an exceptional work environment for passionate journalists eager to make a difference in Scotland. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide structured career progression, ongoing training, and a supportive culture that values innovation and collaboration. Located in Glasgow, our team enjoys generous benefits including 25 days of holiday, a holiday buy scheme, and various perks that enhance work-life balance while contributing to meaningful journalism.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Audience and Content Editor in Birmingham
✨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 Newsquest Media Group!
✨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 Newsquest Media Group, 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 Audience and Content Editor in Birmingham
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 Newsquest Media Group:When applying for the Audience and Content Editor role at Newsquest Media Group, 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 Newsquest Media Group 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 Newsquest Media Group
✨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 Newsquest Media Group. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
