Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to produce original news content and manage daily operations.
- Company: Join SWNS, the UK's largest independent news agency with a global reach.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, hybrid working, health support, and a vibrant company culture.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of journalism innovation and make a real impact in the media landscape.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in news agencies or publications with a passion for storytelling.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career growth and collaboration in a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
Location – hybrid, based Bristol or London
Deadline – April 17
Who are we?
SWNS is the UK’s biggest independent news agency. Every day, hundreds of stories, images and videos from SWNS are published and broadcast across the national and international media. Our clients are the biggest news publishers in the world – Reach, DMGT, News UK, LADbible, The Times, The Telegraph, BBC, ITN, Yahoo! and the New York Post to name a few. We cover everything from breaking news and amazing human interest stories to consumer issues, scientific breakthroughs, breathtaking imagery and viral videos. Our proprietary news wire platform is the gold standard for popular agency journalism – original, verified and fully rights-managed. But our storytelling now extends far beyond the news wire; we supply global aggregator platforms like MSN and Yahoo, publish our own social formats, and co-produce documentaries for global streamers. SWNS has an unrivalled track record in producing the journalism stars of tomorrow and is very proud to count several serving editors, news editors and digital chiefs among our alumni. Our parent company, the SWNS Media Group, is embarking on a period of substantial investment that will expand our storytelling into exciting new formats and markets. The news wire will be at the forefront of this - so it’s an exciting time to get on board!
The role
This is a senior leadership role that is pivotal to the daily operations and strategic development of the business. You will be responsible for producing a slate of original content every day while juggling the many management responsibilities that come with running a distributed team of 30+ journalists. Making our newswire indispensable to clients is essential, but the news operation also powers multiple other functions and outputs – our viral video operation, social publishing, and aggregator feeds. It is the flywheel around which everything else turns.
Reporting to the Head of Content, the core responsibilities of the role are:
- Lead and inspire a talented team of reporters and news editors to produce class-leading popular journalism.
- Take overall responsibility for all news output – ensuring relevancy, accuracy, speed and meeting key KPIs.
- Oversee all daily conferences to set direction, evaluate pitches and allocate resource accordingly.
- Produce multiple news lists throughout the day and see all prospects through to completion and delivery.
- Co‑ordinate our response to national and international breaking news events.
- Identify and pro-actively respond to trends in the national news agenda.
- Co‑ordinate the fulfilment of commissions and assignments.
- Feed into new strategic initiatives such as social publishing, aggregator publishing and documentary production.
- Day‑to‑day management of staffing issues - from rota planning to supporting the HR team with policy development and rollout.
The ideal candidate
We are looking for an experienced leader who has the character, creativity and commitment to drive a team of journalists located across the UK. You will have experience at an agency or national news publication and a track record of delivering a daily drumbeat of original content and news exclusives. The role requires an energetic and organised editor who has exceptional news judgement and a calm head during breaking news events. You will also be excited by innovation and share our ambition to continue evolving the business into new markets and products. We have ambitious goals in this regard and the input of the Head of News will be key to our ongoing success. Most importantly, you will share our passion for delivering exceptional popular journalism and finding new ways to expand our original storytelling capabilities. We are a hardworking team with a strong bond and take lot of pride in what we do. To keep that spirit alive, we’re looking for someone who motivates others and thrives on competition but knows how to balance drive with encouragement.
Benefits and extra details
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Health and Wellbeing Support Service
- Holiday Entitlement: 25 days (+ Bank Holidays) per year
- Company Pension Scheme with Employer Contribution
- Hybrid Working
- Enhanced Maternity Pay
- Enhanced Paternity Leave
- Life Assurance
- Company-wide Summer Event and Christmas Party
- Paid Bereavement / Compassionate Leave
- Railcard reimbursement for regular travellers for work
- Sick Pay
- Your birthday off
- Subscription to Furthr
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- EV Car Scheme
- Health Cash Plan – reimbursement on a number of health services
- GP Anytime
- Additional time off for long service
- Holiday purchase and buyback scheme
- Occasional weekend working will be required – approximately one Sunday every 8 weekends.
Head of News in Bristol employer: SWNS
Contact Detail:
SWNS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of News in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and engage on social media. The more people know you’re looking for a role, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent news stories. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the Head of News role. Highlight your leadership skills and experience in producing original content that resonates with audiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at SWNS.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of News in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Journalism: When writing your application, let your love for journalism shine through! We want to see your enthusiasm for storytelling and how you can contribute to our mission of delivering exceptional popular journalism.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in news production and team leadership. We’re looking for someone who understands the fast-paced world of news, so show us how your background aligns with our needs!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and skills stand out without unnecessary fluff. Remember, we’re busy people too!
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 this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at SWNS
✨Know Your News
Before the interview, dive deep into SWNS's recent stories and their unique approach to journalism. Familiarise yourself with their key clients and the types of content they produce. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a Head of News, you'll be leading a team of journalists. Prepare examples from your past where you've successfully managed teams, handled breaking news, or innovated in content production. Highlight your ability to inspire and motivate others while maintaining high standards.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle specific news situations or trends. Think about potential scenarios that could arise in the role and prepare your responses. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and readiness to tackle challenges head-on.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Journalism
SWNS values exceptional popular journalism, so make sure to convey your passion for storytelling and innovation. Share your vision for the future of news and how you can contribute to expanding their original storytelling capabilities. Let your enthusiasm shine through!