At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead news-generation strategy and develop compelling stories for PR and marketing campaigns.
- Company: Hydrogen, part of The PA, known for high-quality content and trusted journalism.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, 25 days holiday, life assurance, and wellbeing days.
- Other info: Mentor colleagues and influence ideas in a dynamic, supportive environment.
- Why this job: Use your editorial expertise to shape impactful campaigns for diverse brands.
- Qualifications: Significant journalism experience and strong knowledge of the UK media landscape.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
About us
Hydrogen is the Communications division of The PA. We create high-quality content for the PR and marketing industry, backed by the distribution power of the PA newswire.
Our creative and social teams combine editorial expertise, insight and deep platform knowledge to help organisations connect with their audiences and make an impact.
As part of The PA, we share a wider ambition: to be a beacon of trust for news, content and data.
We believe trusted, effective communication can build greater understanding, connection and influence.
About the role
We’re looking for an experienced editorial leader to lead the news-generation capability within Hydrogen Creates.
This is an opportunity to take the instincts, judgement and discipline developed in a fast-paced newsroom and apply them in a different environment, helping brands and organisations turn ideas, research and campaign briefs into credible stories that journalists genuinely want to cover.
You’ll work alongside PR agencies, brands, creative teams and account leads, bringing an editorial perspective from the very start of a campaign.
You’ll identify the story, find the strongest angle and understand how it can connect with the wider news agenda – while maintaining the accuracy, credibility and quality expected of The PA.
This is a senior, influential role for someone who knows what makes a story travel, understands how UK newsrooms think and can bring that expertise confidently into a commercial environment.
- What you’ll be doing
- Lead the news-generation strategy across a varied portfolio of PR and marketing campaigns.
- Assess briefs through an editorial lens, quickly identifying where the genuine news value lies.
- Develop compelling storylines, news hooks and campaign narratives designed to generate meaningful earned media.
- Work with creative and account teams to turn ideas into credible, executable news propositions.
- Connect campaigns to the wider news agenda, cultural conversations and emerging opportunities.
- Use your knowledge of UK newsrooms, journalists and media outlets to shape stories for different audiences and platforms.
- Lead the development of rapid-turnaround stories, research, data-led content, interviews and news releases.
- Find multiple angles and opportunities within a story to maximise its potential for coverage.
- Set high editorial standards for accuracy, relevance, credibility and quality.
- Work directly with clients and agency partners, providing clear editorial advice and setting realistic expectations around potential media outcomes.
- Mentor journalists and editorial colleagues, helping build editorial capability across Hydrogen.
- What we’re looking for
First and foremost, you’ll be an experienced journalist and editorial leader with excellent news judgement who knows instinctively what makes something a story.
You’ll bring
- Significant journalism experience gained in a fast-paced newsroom, ideally within a national news agency, newspaper, broadcaster or major digital publisher.
- Proven experience operating as a senior editorial leader.
- Excellent knowledge of the UK media landscape and current news agenda.
- A strong understanding of how a story develops from an initial idea through to publication.
- The ability to make confident editorial decisions at pace without compromising accuracy or credibility.
- Experience leading journalists and working effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong communication skills and the confidence to advise and challenge senior clients and agency partners.
- Commercial awareness and an understanding of how strong editorial thinking can contribute to measurable client outcomes.
- A practical understanding of PR and brand campaigns, and the ability to balance client objectives with genuine editorial value.
- It would be an advantage if you have a recognised journalism or NCTJ qualification, or previous experience working with commercial, PR or branded-content briefs.
Why join us?
- Bring your newsroom expertise into a new environment – use your editorial judgement and creativity to shape campaigns for a wide range of brands and organisations.
- Make an impact across Hydrogen – strengthen our editorial proposition, influence ideas from the outset and help develop the capability of colleagues around you.
- Be part of The PA – bring the standards and instincts of a newsroom to ambitious commercial campaigns, backed by more than 150 years of trusted journalism.
- Hybrid, flexible working with a minimum of 3 days a week in our Paddington office.
- 25 days’ holiday plus options to purchase more, alongside enhanced family leave.
- Life assurance at 4x salary.
- Wellbeing and volunteering days to support you inside and outside of work.
Editorial Director in Paddington employer: PA Media Group
PA Media Group is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Glasgow, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides ample opportunities for professional development and a competitive benefits package, including hybrid working arrangements that promote work-life balance. Joining PA Media Group means being part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to driving impactful marketing strategies in the PR & Marketing Services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Editorial Director in Paddington
✨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 PA Media Group!
✨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 PA Media Group, 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 Editorial Director in Paddington
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 PA Media Group:When applying for the Editorial Director role at PA Media Group, 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 PA Media Group 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 PA Media Group
✨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 PA Media Group. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
