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- Tasks: Break news across the West Midlands and react to live incidents with speed and accuracy.
- 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: Make an impact with your journalism while using AI tools to enhance your reporting.
- Qualifications: NCTJ diploma or equivalent and significant experience as a digital reporter.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 22 May 2026
Department: Editorial
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Stourbridge
Reporting To: Alicia Kelly
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 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 fast and scale output – but your judgement will remain the driving force. We want someone who understands how to use technology to enhance – not replace – their news sense. You’ll be expected to analyse what works and what doesn’t for our audiences and adapt in real time. 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
- 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
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- NCTJ diploma or equivalent
- Significant experience as a digital reporter, ideally on a major regional or city patch
- 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 & 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
Senior Reporter - West Midlands in Stourbridge employer: Newsquest
Contact Detail:
Newsquest Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Reporter - West Midlands in Stourbridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other journalists, editors, and industry professionals. Attend local events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on social media. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they’re even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially pieces that demonstrate your ability to break news and react quickly. Make sure it’s easily accessible online, so potential employers can see what you bring to the table without any hassle.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on current events and trends in the West Midlands. Follow local news outlets, engage with community issues, and keep an eye on social media for breaking stories. This will not only help you in interviews but also show your passion for the role and the region.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to see how you navigate the process. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application doesn’t get lost in the shuffle!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Reporter - West Midlands in Stourbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for News: When you’re writing your application, let your enthusiasm for journalism shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re genuinely excited about breaking stories and making an impact in the West Midlands.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your experience with fast-paced reporting and any use of AI tools in your previous work. We love seeing how you’ve tackled challenges and delivered compelling stories!
Demonstrate Your Local Knowledge: We’re after someone who knows the West Midlands inside out. In your application, mention specific stories or events you’ve covered in the area. Show us that you understand the community and what matters to them.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Newsquest
✨Know Your Patch
Before the interview, brush up on the latest news stories in the West Midlands. Familiarise yourself with key events, local issues, and influential figures in the area. This will not only show your passion for the role but also demonstrate your understanding of the community you’ll be reporting on.
✨Showcase Your Contacts
Be ready to discuss your network of contacts and how you’ve used them to break stories in the past. Highlight specific examples where your connections have led to exclusive content or timely updates. This is crucial for a senior reporter role, so make sure you come prepared with anecdotes.
✨Demonstrate Your Digital Savvy
Since this role involves using AI tools, be prepared to talk about your experience with technology in journalism. Share examples of how you've integrated digital tools into your reporting process to enhance your work without compromising quality. This will show that you’re not just a traditional reporter but also a forward-thinking journalist.
✨Prepare for Pressure
Expect questions about how you handle tight deadlines and high-pressure situations. Prepare examples from your previous roles where you successfully delivered under pressure. This will help illustrate your resilience and ability to thrive in a fast-paced newsroom environment.