At a Glance
- Tasks: Break news across Birmingham, react to live incidents, and generate compelling content.
- Company: Join a leading newsroom in one of the UK's busiest news patches.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, career progression, and perks like gym membership and retail discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for team building and community engagement.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of journalism, using AI tools to enhance your reporting skills.
- Qualifications: NCTJ diploma or equivalent and significant experience as a digital reporter.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
News doesn’t wait and neither will you. We're looking for an ambitious and driven senior reporter who’s 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 Birmingham 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 video 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 Birmingham 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 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
- 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 decision
- 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
Breaking News Reporter, Birmingham in Stourbridge employer: Newsquest
Join a dynamic newsroom in Birmingham where your passion for breaking news will thrive. We offer a vibrant work culture that values innovation and collaboration, alongside structured career progression and ongoing training to help you grow as a journalist. With competitive benefits including generous holiday allowances, wellness perks, and team-building activities, you'll find a supportive environment that empowers you to make a real impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Breaking News Reporter, Birmingham in Stourbridge
✨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 Breaking News Reporter, Birmingham in Stourbridge
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 Breaking News Reporter, Birmingham 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.
