Head of Global Sports (London)

Head of Global Sports (London)

Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global sports coverage and manage a dynamic editorial team in London.
  • Company: Join The Athletic, a leading sports media company with a passion for storytelling.
  • Benefits: Competitive UK benefits package and unique perks tailored to your needs.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in sports journalism and shape the future of global sports news.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in digital sports journalism with strong management experience.
  • Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for international travel and career growth.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

About Us

Powered by one of the largest global newsrooms in sports media, The Athletic brings sports fans the most comprehensive stories about the teams, sports and athletes they love. The Athletic’s newsroom of 450+ full-time staff delivers in-depth coverage of hundreds of professional and college teams across more than 47 North American markets and all 20 football clubs in the English Premier League, as well as many Championship clubs.

About the Role

This is a role (based in London) providing comprehensive editorial oversight of our global sports and soccer coverage, based in the UK; providing support to the Editor-in-Chief, partnering with stakeholders across the editorial organisation and business teams on a range of initiatives, and leading on editorial standards from a UK perspective. The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in and knowledge of men’s and women’s sports, as well as the ideas and experience to know how to tell these stories to a wide audience. They will be nimble and able to ‘own a moment’ in the sporting calendar, adept at managing a large team of people in multiple time zones, comfortable with handling breaking news and live coverage, and open to pursuing multi-platform and off-platform opportunities to further enhance our coverage. This is an exciting opportunity for a decisive, creative leader to make an impact and then progress and further develop with The Athletic as we work towards our mission of becoming the global sports news destination for fans.

Responsibilities

  • Lead on editorial standards in the UK, working closely with the North American newsroom and legal counsel.
  • Work to bring a distinctive, compelling, and authentic voice to all digital media products.
  • Manage a staff of reporters and editors with an emphasis on the delivery of distinct news and analysis around big sporting moments and pursuing investigative opportunities.
  • Work closely with the business team to identify areas for growth and then deliver incisive journalism accordingly.
  • Assist with big-picture, conceptual vision for The Athletic’s international desk, including long-term direction; generating and planning story ideas; editorial platforms; expansion opportunities.
  • Maintain an understanding and proficiency of subscription and engagement metrics.
  • Maintain proficiency and knowledge for SEO (best practices available).
  • Coordinate staffing assignments, editorial resources and process, and commission freelance journalists as required.
  • Edit and publish stories via WordPress.
  • Manage the desk’s financial budget, including projecting month-to-month expenditures and managing travel.

Requirements

  • 8+ years of experience in digital sports journalism, with experience at a management level.
  • Experience and thorough knowledge of UK editorial standards; knowledge of U.S. reporting standards a plus.
  • Advanced ability to generate story ideas that result in solid sub-growth and engagement.
  • Ability to work well with writers on strengthening ideas; strong sense of how to take a single idea and develop it into a broader package on numerous platforms.
  • Advanced understanding of the following editing tasks: copy editing, story structure, recognizing problematic sentences, style guidelines.
  • Ability to add context to stories, edit in the writer's voice, ensure fairness, provide story structure.
  • Expert ability to help develop less experienced writers and editors.
  • High-end knowledge of the sporting landscape.
  • This role requires a combination of office-based and remote working, with a minimum three days per week in our London office and an expectation of working weekends or evenings when the sporting calendar requires. It may also include international travel.

The Athletic offers unique perks and benefits to all full-time employees based on their country of residence. Our UK benefits packages offer benefits and perks, competitive to the local market.

The Athletic Media Company is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. The Athletic will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Beware of fraudulent job recruiting schemes! Our recruiters use careers@theathletic.com exclusively, and our team members will use an email address with @theathletic.com domain. We do not conduct interviews via text or instant message and we do not ask candidates to download software, to purchase equipment through us, or to provide sensitive personally identifiable information, such as bank accounts or social security numbers. If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be a member of the recruiting/HR team at The Athletic but operating from a different email address about a job offer, please report it as potential job fraud to the law enforcement and to people@theathletic.com.

Head of Global Sports (London) employer: The Athletic Media Company

The Athletic is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that thrives on creativity and collaboration within the vibrant city of London. With a commitment to employee growth, The Athletic provides unique opportunities for professional development in the fast-paced world of sports journalism, alongside competitive benefits tailored to the UK market. Join a passionate team dedicated to delivering compelling sports stories while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model and the chance to make a significant impact in global sports media.
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Contact Detail:

The Athletic Media Company Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Global Sports (London)

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues 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 passion for sports! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your insights and opinions on current sports events. This will demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the Head of Global Sports role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently to make a lasting impression.

✨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 genuinely interested in joining The Athletic family.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Global Sports (London)

Editorial Oversight
Digital Sports Journalism
Team Management
Story Development
SEO Best Practices
Copy Editing
Story Structure
Engagement Metrics
Financial Budget Management
Multi-Platform Content Delivery
Investigative Journalism
Communication Skills
Knowledge of UK Editorial Standards
Adaptability to Breaking News

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Sports: When you're writing your application, let your love for sports shine through! We want to see your enthusiasm for both men's and women's sports, so share any relevant experiences or insights that highlight your knowledge and passion.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of Head of Global Sports. Highlight your management experience and how it aligns with our editorial standards and vision. We appreciate candidates who take the time to connect their skills with what we’re looking for!

Be Clear and Concise: We value clarity in communication, so keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your ideas and experiences, and make sure to proofread for any typos or errors before hitting send!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company there.

How to prepare for a job interview at The Athletic Media Company

✨Know Your Sports Inside Out

Make sure you have a solid grasp of both men's and women's sports, especially those relevant to The Athletic's coverage. Brush up on recent stories, key players, and major events in the sporting calendar. This will not only show your passion but also help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Head of Global Sports, you'll be managing a large team across multiple time zones. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure situations. Highlight your ability to mentor less experienced writers and editors, as this is crucial for the role.

✨Demonstrate Your Editorial Vision

Think about how you would bring a distinctive voice to The Athletic’s digital media products. Be ready to discuss your ideas for story generation and how you would enhance their international desk. This shows that you're not just a follower but a creative leader with a clear vision.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Metrics

Understanding subscription and engagement metrics is key for this role. Brush up on best practices for SEO and be prepared to discuss how you would use data to drive editorial decisions. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your commitment to delivering impactful journalism.

Head of Global Sports (London)
The Athletic Media Company
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