At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and commission engaging features and stories for The Sun and Fabulous platforms.
- Company: Join the UK's biggest news brand with a rich history and diverse audience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, wellness perks, and access to exclusive events.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant culture that values diversity and community.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a fast-paced newsroom and shape content that reaches millions.
- Qualifications: Experience in editorial roles and a knack for storytelling are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Sun is the biggest news brand in the UK, publishing hundreds of stories a day and reaching over 170m unique users digitally every month. Its exclusives set the news agenda and its campaigns have changed the lives of many. Delivering news, entertainment, and sports coverage to millions of readers every day. With a rich history spanning decades, we are dedicated to providing accurate, insightful, and engaging content across print and digital platforms.
Your Role: The Assistant Editor, Features, is a key player in shaping the voice and content of the flagship platforms. This role is based in the fast-paced London Bridge newsroom. This is a fantastic opportunity for a manager bursting with ideas to make their mark on a brand that reaches millions every day. You will be responsible for generating and commissioning a constant stream of compelling, on-brand, and agenda-setting content for print and online. The content covers exclusive celebrity interviews, shocking real-life stories, the latest must-have trends, and expert-led lifestyle advice.
The flagship platforms include: The Sun.co.uk and print features, Sun Club membership scheme, Fabulous Daily, the glossy Fabulous Magazine, and Fabulous Digital.
Your normal core working hours will be 40 hours per week within the operating hours/days as advised by your line manager. As per the News UK flexible working policy, this role is required to work from our London Bridge office for a minimum of 3 days a week. Any part-time working requests will be considered on an individual basis.
Key Responsibilities:- Generate and commission unmissable features, interviews, and real-life stories across The Sun and Fabulous’s print and digital platforms, ensuring a consistent and engaging tone of voice.
- Act as an ideas engine for the entire The Sun and Fabulous brand, consistently pitching innovative concepts for series, packages, and major projects.
- Perform 360 editing: Delivering stories across all platforms, particularly delivering for the video first strategy for the 24/7 newsroom.
- Respond quickly to data and come up with strong ideas which will work for Sun Club.
- Seamlessly manage the flow of content from conception to publication across .co.uk, the daily paper, weekly magazine and the 24/7 digital operation, understanding the unique demands of each platform.
- Help manage and mentor a team of in-house reporters, nurturing their talent, guiding their ideas, and ensuring they deliver first-class copy to tight deadlines.
- Cultivate and manage a brilliant network of freelance writers, experts, and contributors to ensure content is always fresh, authoritative, and ahead of the curve.
- Oversee junior team members, supporting their development and maintaining editorial standards.
- Collaborate with digital, design, social, and video teams to ensure content is packaged and promoted effectively for all platforms, including Sun Club.
- Help manage the production schedule and ensure deadlines are met.
- Proven experience as a Commissioning Editor or senior features writer within a fast-paced national newspaper, magazine, or major digital publisher.
- Proven experience as a features or lifestyle editor at a national publication or high-profile digital brand.
- A fantastic contacts book and a proven track record of securing exclusive content.
- Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple commissions and deadlines effortlessly.
- Experience in managing or mentoring junior reporters or writers.
- Experience managing digital commissions, including producing brilliant comps and headlines.
- A sharp eye for a story and an intuitive understanding of the Fabulous brand and its audience.
- Ability to turn their hand to anything from investigations to celebrity stories.
- Strong editorial judgement, creative flair, and a nose for a great story.
- Deep understanding of news and women’s lifestyle content and current trends.
- Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to tailor content for different platforms.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced newsroom environment and juggle multiple priorities.
- Familiarity with SEO, analytics, and social media strategy is a bonus.
Life at News: Driven by passion, guided by principles and acting with purpose. We represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling the stories that matter. We inform our audiences so that they can make decisions based on trusted information. We represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling the stories that matter most. To ensure these stories resonate with as broad an audience as possible, it is essential that our organisation reflects the diversity of the people we reach. Whether through age, gender, ethnicity, disability, social class or sexuality, we are committed to representing the rich variety of voices that make up our society. And we champion a culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive as we continue to innovate and drive long term sustainable growth. This is done through our Diversity Strategy.
At News UK, we take pride in our exceptional employee-led networks that bring together individuals with shared interests and create a vibrant sense of community. We believe our networks play a vital role in fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture at News UK. Groups that we support include the African & Caribbean Network, Parents and Carers, and LGBTQ+ group News Is Out, and Next Gen.
Benefits:- Maternity leave up to 18 weeks full basic salary & paternity leave up to 2 weeks.
- Wide range of training available, plus full LinkedIn Learning access.
- Private medical insurance including coverage for pre-existing conditions.
- Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home, weekly virtual yoga classes.
- ‘Bikes for Work’ and ‘Electric Car’ scheme.
- Up to 60% discount on Harper Collins books.
- Access to exclusive events and competitions with exciting brands such as talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK & The Times.
- Weekly virtual panel chats with top journalists and celebrities.
- Access to wellbeing benefits such as EAP, physio/massage and counselling.
- A generous pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5%.
- 30 days holiday.
Assistant Editor, Features in London employer: The Sun
At The Sun, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London Bridge. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through extensive training opportunities and a vibrant culture that champions diversity and collaboration. With benefits like generous parental leave, private medical insurance, and access to exclusive events, we ensure our team feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the media landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Editor, Features 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 The Sun!
✨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 The Sun, 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 Assistant Editor, Features 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 The Sun:When applying for the Assistant Editor, Features role at The Sun, 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 The Sun 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 The Sun
✨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 The Sun. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
