At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver exclusive stories on Irish horseracing and create engaging content for our audience.
- Company: Join Spotlight Sports Group, a leader in media and technology for racing and sports betting.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, 25 days holiday, and your birthday off!
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working model and opportunities for professional growth and community volunteering.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the racing world while developing your journalism skills with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in journalism, strong writing skills, and a passion for horseracing.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Spotlight Sports Group is a global media and technology company with a clear purpose, to set the standard for trusted, customer-driven experiences across global racing and sports betting. Guided by our mission to create experiences that fans love, we combine more than 40 years of heritage with bold innovation to deliver award-winning content, data and digital products.
The Racing Post is looking for an exceptional senior journalist to join our award-winning editorial team. You will be responsible for delivering exclusive stories on Irish horseracing, covering the sport on and off the track. As an experienced, accomplished and dynamic reporter, you will have a track record of delivering scoops and will continue to do so on the major issues affecting the racing and betting sectors in Ireland.
You will be able to show a track record of building strong working relationships and will be expected to develop an unrivalled contacts book with senior trainers/jockeys, administrators and others to land a significant volume of powerful new stories. As part of your reporting duties you will also create analysis and explainer packages around the team’s strongest stories, write columns, special reports, features, reports from major racedays and appear on Racing Post video shows as an expert on Irish racing.
What you’ll do:
- Deliver a regular flow of exclusives among a significant volume of strong stories
- Quickly develop an appreciation of our audience so as to tailor content for maximum impact
- Write expert analysis, comment and explainers to produce comprehensive packages around the biggest stories
- Develop and maintain a sport-leading contacts book
- Produce audio-visual output as part of editorial content packages
- Pitch story ideas to the Ireland editor and execute those ideas with flair
- Actively contribute ideas for news, special reports and news investigations in planning meetings within the wider news team
- Monitor the daily news environment in racing, betting and beyond to identify and report upon potential items of interest
Excellent writing and storytelling skills with an instinct for finding stories others miss. A strong knowledge of the horseracing landscape in Ireland and its interlinked industries. A proven affinity for cross-team collaboration that will maximise the power and impact of your stories. Experience using racing and industry data as the basis for storytelling, with an ability to identify important trends and statistics. Comfortable using performance analytics to shape your approach to identifying and executing stories. An excellent standard of written English and excellent attention to detail. Ability to use initiative, to work under pressure of deadline and without supervision. Excellent communication skills. A team player with the ability to encourage, foster and develop colleagues. Full driving licence.
We offer a range of well-being initiatives, including private medical insurance, excellent parental leave, a working globally policy, mental health support, assistance programs, and social gatherings. We also provide a pension scheme and various other benefit schemes. Plus, we all get our birthdays off work and enjoy 25 days of holiday per year. We’ve also got you covered with life assurance and exclusive perks like the Star card and our Step Further Awards (our employee recognition program) to recognise your dedication. For those working via the hybrid model (in the office and at home) we’ve made commuting easier with our Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work Scheme. You can also take advantage of complimentary access to our Racing Post Members Club, complete with an Ultimate Membership. We believe in making a positive impact beyond the workplace, and you'll have the chance to volunteer two days per year with our charity partner.
Senior Journalist (Ireland) - Racing Post in London employer: Spotlight Sports Group
Spotlight Sports Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, perfect for those passionate about sports and content creation. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to shape innovative newsletters while working alongside talented teams in a vibrant environment. Located in a thriving industry hub, we offer unique advantages such as flexible working arrangements and a commitment to professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Journalist (Ireland) - Racing Post in London
✨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 Spotlight Sports 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 Spotlight Sports 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 Senior Journalist (Ireland) - Racing Post in London
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 Spotlight Sports Group:When applying for the Senior Journalist (Ireland) - Racing Post role at Spotlight Sports 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 Spotlight Sports 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 Spotlight Sports 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 Spotlight Sports Group. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
