Breaking News Reporter - West Midlands

News doesn’t wait, and neither will you. We're looking for two ambitious and driven breaking news reporters who are ready to react – with a hunger for breaking stories. When something happens, you want to be first and fast. This is a fast‑paced digital role at the heart of our newsroom, responding to major incidents such as crime, transport disruption, and developing stories as they happen.

You’ll be a proven reporter with pace, authority and a bulging contacts book, who knows how the West Midlands works and where stories really come from. This is one of the UK’s biggest, busiest and most competitive news patches, and we need someone highly motivated with a desire to turn information into high‑impact journalism that audiences want to read.

This role combines hard‑nosed reporting with smart use of AI tools. You’ll use AI to move faster, spot trends, refine angles and scale output – but your judgement, contacts and ideas will always be the driving force. We want someone who understands how to use technology to enhance – not replace – their news sense.

You’ll be expected to be across your patch, setting the tone and finding the best stories – analysing what works and what doesn’t for our audiences and adapting in real time. You'll be excellent at using social media to find pictures and videos of live incidents, as well as getting quotes and taking your own video from the scene, and be comfortable in front of the camera on Facebook Live.

Above all, you’ll be trusted to deliver accurate, legally sound, cutting‑edge journalism that reflects the West Midlands in all its complexity and speaks directly to its communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Break the news across the West Midlands using strong contacts, initiative and relentless newsgathering
• React to live incidents and ongoing developing stories, providing rolling updates as situations evolve
• Generate a constant flow of news ideas, exclusives and forward‑looking content plans
• Use AI tools to enhance reporting, drafting and workflows — without compromising editorial control or quality
• Source stories through social media, emergency services updates, contacts on the ground and verified tip-offs
• Deliver clean, compelling copy under pressure
• Ensure all content meets the highest standards of accuracy, media law, privacy and ethics
• Take part in a rota covering early starts, late finishes and weekends
• Confidence in shooting and presenting video to camera
• Shape coverage deliberately using audience data, performance insight and editorial judgement
• Identify new story formats and growth opportunities that resonate with our readers
• Work closely with a digital ACE to ensure our content is top‑notch
• Consistently hit and exceed page‑view and audience growth targets

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• NCTJ diploma or equivalent
• Significant experience as a digital reporter, ideally on a major regional or city patch
• Proven track record of breaking stories and developing exclusives
• A strong, active contacts book and the confidence to cultivate new sources quickly
• Sharp news judgement and the ability to spot stories others miss
• Excellent digital writing and editing skills, with headlines that cut through
• Deep knowledge of UK media law and the Editors’ Code of Conduct
• Energy, resilience and authority in a fast‑paced, competitive newsroom
• Confidence using data and analytics to drive editorial decisions

Benefits

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
• Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
• Structured career progression