At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful journalism, covering investigations, breaking news, and community stories.
- Company: Join the Bournemouth Daily Echo, a dynamic and influential news outlet.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, career progression, and perks like gym memberships and retail discounts.
- Other info: Ideal for aspiring News Editors, with opportunities for training and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while advancing your journalism career.
- Qualifications: NCTJ-qualified with strong reporting skills and a passion for storytelling.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Chief Reporter at the Bournemouth Daily Echo. The Bournemouth Daily Echo is one of the most dynamic titles in Newsquest, where news rarely stops, and there's always an opportunity to make an impact. We're looking for an experienced, NCTJ-qualified senior journalist with 100wpm shorthand, ready to take the next step in their career.
Key Responsibilities
- This is a key position focused on high-impact, "depth" reporting.
- You'll be responsible for delivering standout journalism that drives audience loyalty and subscriptions, including:
- Investigations and exclusive stories
- Generating front-page leads and major splashes
- Court and crime reporting
- Campaigns and experience-led content
- Human interest features
- Live blogs and breaking news coverage on location
- Video interviews and multimedia storytelling
- Patch reporting and local government coverage
- Building strong contacts and community relationships
This role is ideal for someone aspiring to become a News Editor. You will:
- Join the one-in-four weekend Editor rota
- Provide newsdesk and digital cover for the News Editor and Digital ACE when required
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- NCTJ-qualified journalist with 100wpm shorthand.
- Proven experience producing exclusive stories, investigations and high-impact content that resonates with local audiences.
- Strong news sense with the ability to identify and develop stories that drive readership, engagement and subscriptions.
- Excellent interviewing skills and the confidence to build and maintain a strong network of contacts across the community.
- Experience covering courts, crime, local government and other key public interest beats.
- Ability to thrive under pressure, react quickly to breaking news and meet deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom.
- Skilled in digital storytelling, including live blogging, video content and social media publishing.
- Confident using analytics and audience insight to inform content decisions and maximise reach.
- Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
- Ambitious, self-motivated and eager to develop towards a future News Editor position.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
- Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
- Structured career progression & ongoing training
- Pension plan
- Employee Helpline counselling and advice
- Perks & discounts including:
- Gym membership
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care
- Retail discounts
- Team building days & annual volunteer charity day
Chief Reporter - Bournemouth employer: Newsquest
Newsquest is an excellent employer for aspiring journalists, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and community engagement. With a commitment to employee development, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities within one of the UK's largest local news publishers, alongside attractive benefits such as 25 days of holiday and various employee discounts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Reporter - Bournemouth
✨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!
✨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, 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 Chief Reporter - Bournemouth
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:When applying for the Chief Reporter - Bournemouth role at Newsquest, 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 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
✨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. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
