Editorial Lead

Editorial Lead

Full-Time 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
PA Media Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead content strategies and create impactful, audience-focused content across various formats.
  • Company: Join PA Media Group, the UK's leading provider of trusted news and information.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, hybrid working, and generous holiday options.
  • Other info: Opportunity for real influence on client work and creative standards.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of content strategy in a dynamic, ambitious agency environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in content strategy, strong copywriting skills, and SEO knowledge.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

About us

PA Media Group is the UK’s leading provider of trusted news, information and data services. For more than 150 years, we’ve played a central role in the UK media ecosystem. Today, we’re evolving. As the communications landscape shifts, we are building a more integrated, commercially focused marketing communications division, bringing together specialist brands including Mediapoint, Hydrogen, Sticky and PA Media Assignments into one powerful, joined‑up proposition.

About the opportunity

This is a key role within Hydrogen’s content team. As Editorial Lead, you’ll play a central role in shaping content strategy and delivering high‑quality, commercially effective content across a range of client accounts and sectors. You’ll combine strategic thinking, SEO expertise and editorial excellence to create content that connects business objectives with audience needs. From content strategy and ideation through to optimisation and delivery, you’ll help clients create content that is discoverable, engaging and impactful. You’ll work closely with strategy, insight, design and client teams to turn data, research and performance signals into actionable content plans and compelling creative outputs. You’ll also help evolve the way we work, identifying smarter processes and exploring how AI can support research, ideation, and content workflow efficiency, while protecting the editorial judgement, originality and human nuance that great content depends on.

What you’ll be doing

  • Lead and deliver content strategies informed by keyword research, audience insight and user behaviour data.
  • Turn business objectives and audience needs into clear, actionable editorial plans and recommendations.
  • Produce high‑quality, user‑focused content across multiple formats, including blogs, feature articles, guides, emails, web and social copy.
  • Adapt tone of voice and messaging for different brands, sectors and audiences.
  • Conduct keyword research and on‑page optimisation, including internal linking recommendations and content hierarchy improvements.
  • Apply SEO best practice across content production, ensuring content is optimised, accessible and aligned with search intent.
  • Protect editorial quality across content outputs, applying strong judgement around tone, structure, nuance, accuracy and audience relevance.
  • Lead content ideation sessions, campaign research and collaborative planning workshops.
  • Present strategies, results and recommendations confidently to clients and internal stakeholders.
  • Develop and improve content processes, standards and workflows across the team.
  • Track and communicate the impact of content activity, connecting improvements to measurable business outcomes.
  • Contribute to pitches, proposals and opportunities for account growth.
  • Explore and integrate AI tools thoughtfully into editorial and content workflows to improve speed, efficiency and quality.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced, strategic content role with strong creative ownership, client exposure and commercial impact. You’ll bring:

  • Strong experience in content strategy, editorial or content design within an agency or in‑house digital environment.
  • A proven ability to create strategic, audience‑first content that balances user needs with commercial objectives.
  • Excellent copywriting and editing skills, with experience writing across a range of formats and industries.
  • Strong editorial judgement, with the ability to write with clarity, nuance and personality while maintaining accuracy, consistency and brand integrity.
  • Strong understanding of SEO fundamentals and how they connect to content performance and user experience.
  • Experience conducting keyword research, on‑page optimisation and content planning independently.
  • Confidence using analytics, SEO and AI tools such as GA4, Google Search Console, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, ChatGPT, Claude or similar.
  • The ability to interpret data and insights and translate them into clear strategic recommendations.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills, including experience working directly with clients and senior stakeholders.
  • Curiosity and enthusiasm for innovation in content strategy, production and workflows.

Desirable experience

  • Understanding of information architecture and content modelling.
  • Experience contributing to new business pitches and proposals.
  • Knowledge of wider digital marketing channels and performance measurement.
  • Strong understanding of social media and search platform algorithms.

Why join us

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of content strategy within a growing, ambitious agency environment, with real influence on client work, creative standards and commercial growth. You can expect:

  • Competitive salary and annual bonus.
  • Hybrid, flexible working – typically 3 days in the Glasgow office.
  • 25 days holiday plus options to buy more, alongside enhanced family leave.
  • Life assurance 4x salary.
  • Wellbeing and volunteering days to support you inside and outside of work.

Editorial Lead employer: PA Media Group

At PA Media Group, we pride ourselves on being the UK's leading provider of trusted news and information, fostering a dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration. As an Editorial Lead in our Glasgow office, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and ample opportunities for professional growth while contributing to impactful content strategies that shape the future of our clients' communications. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values creativity, editorial excellence, and the integration of cutting-edge technology in content production.
PA Media Group

Contact Detail:

PA Media Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Editorial Lead

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially content strategies and successful campaigns. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its clients. Understand their content needs and come up with ideas on how you can help them achieve their goals. This shows you're proactive and genuinely interested.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join us directly!

We think you need these skills to ace Editorial Lead

Content Strategy
SEO Expertise
Copywriting
Editing
Keyword Research
On-Page Optimisation
Data Analysis
Client Communication
Presentation Skills
Editorial Judgement
Content Planning
AI Tool Integration
User Experience Understanding
Information Architecture
Digital Marketing Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Content: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for content strategy and editorial excellence shine through. We want to see how you connect with our mission and how your experience aligns with the role of Editorial Lead.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight your relevant experience in content strategy, SEO, and client collaboration. We love seeing how you can adapt your skills to meet our needs!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that showcase your copywriting skills. Remember, clarity is key in both your application and the content we produce!

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. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at PA Media Group

✨Know Your Content Strategy Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into content strategy principles. Be ready to discuss how you would lead and deliver content strategies informed by keyword research and audience insights. Think about specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully turned business objectives into actionable editorial plans.

✨Showcase Your SEO Savvy

Brush up on your SEO knowledge! Be prepared to talk about how you've applied SEO best practices in your previous roles. Bring examples of how your content has improved search performance and user engagement, and be ready to discuss tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs that you've used.

✨Demonstrate Your Editorial Judgement

During the interview, highlight your ability to maintain editorial quality while balancing clarity, nuance, and brand integrity. Share instances where your strong editorial judgement made a difference in content output, and how you adapt tone and messaging for different audiences.

✨Be Ready to Discuss Innovation

PA Media Group is looking for someone who is curious and enthusiastic about innovation. Prepare to discuss how you've explored new processes or integrated AI tools into your workflows. Think about how these innovations have improved efficiency and quality in your previous roles.

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