At a Glance
- Tasks: Create compelling features across diverse topics for a leading news brand.
- Company: Join The Sun, the UK's biggest news brand with a rich history.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, private medical insurance, and access to exclusive events.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with vibrant employee networks and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact by telling stories that resonate with millions every day.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a features writer with a strong portfolio.
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.
As a key member of our writing team, you will be responsible for creating a diverse range of compelling content. Based in our bustling London Bridge newsroom, you will write across all our platforms, including co.uk, Sun Club and Fabulous. One day you could be interviewing for a gritty co.uk news feature, the next you’ll be crafting a sensitive real‑life story or finding a fresh angle on a trending lifestyle story for The Sun. We are looking for a brilliant writer who is brimming with ideas and has the drive to see them through from a simple concept to a must‑read published piece.
This role is full‑time (five days a week), operating on a 40‑hour, rolling seven‑day rota with staggered shifts. 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- Produce clean, compelling, and accurate features across a wide range of subjects, including real‑life, lifestyle, celebrity, and news‑led features.
- Pitch daily original and on‑brand story ideas to the Commissioning Editors that will resonate with our audience – both news features and on‑the‑day viral content.
- Use your skills and contacts to secure compelling interviews that will form the basis of exclusive features.
- Expertly adapt your writing style and tone for different platforms and audiences, from snappy digital reads to in‑depth magazine or print articles and Sun Club.
- Thrive under pressure, delivering high‑quality copy to meet the tight deadlines of a 24/7 news operation.
- Able to deliver a story with appropriate imagery, particularly video, to ensure the story is distributed across platforms (e.g., paper, website, YouTube).
- Work closely and collaboratively with commissioning editors, photographers, and video teams to bring stories to life.
- Solid experience as a features writer at a national news website, magazine, or paper.
- Track record of spotting and writing strong traffic‑driving stories.
- A strong and varied portfolio of published work that showcases excellent writing talent and versatility.
- Proven ability to land and execute exclusive stories and interviews.
- A sharp news sense and an intuitive understanding of what makes a great Sun and Fabulous feature.
- Excellent interviewing and research skills, with a reputation for accuracy and attention to detail.
- A brilliant team player with a proactive and positive attitude.
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. 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.
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.
Some of our benefits include:- 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.
Senior Writer, Features in London employer: The Sun
The Sun is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London Bridge where creativity thrives. With a commitment to diversity and employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. Our comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave policies and wellness initiatives, ensures that our team members feel valued and empowered to produce compelling content that resonates with millions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Writer, Features in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, whether it's at events or online. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or be looking for someone just like you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and showcases a variety of writing styles. This will help you stand out when you’re pitching your ideas.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to editors or hiring managers at The Sun. A well-crafted email expressing your interest can go a long way in making a memorable impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on trends! Keep an eye on what’s hot in the news and social media. Being able to pitch timely and relevant story ideas will show that you’re in tune with the audience and ready to deliver compelling content.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Writer, Features in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Skills:Make sure your application showcases your best writing. Include samples that highlight your versatility and ability to adapt your style for different audiences. We want to see how you can craft compelling stories that resonate with readers!
Pitch Unique Ideas:Don’t just tell us about your experience; pitch us a few story ideas that you think would fit perfectly with The Sun's vibe. This shows us your creativity and understanding of what makes a great feature, plus it gives us a taste of your thought process!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is not only a brilliant writer but also a team player with a positive attitude. Share a bit about yourself and what drives your passion for storytelling!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at The Sun!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Sun
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, take some time to understand The Sun's audience. Familiarise yourself with the types of stories that resonate with their readers. This will help you pitch ideas that are not only original but also on-brand and appealing.
✨Showcase Your Versatility
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your ability to write across different styles and platforms. Include examples of features, news articles, and lifestyle pieces. This will demonstrate your adaptability and skill as a writer, which is crucial for this role.
✨Pitch Ideas Like a Pro
Come to the interview armed with a few story ideas that you think would work well for The Sun. Think about current trends or unique angles on popular topics. This shows initiative and gives you a chance to showcase your creativity right off the bat.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Your Process
During the interview, be prepared to talk about how you approach writing and research. Discuss your interviewing techniques and how you secure compelling stories. This will give the interviewers insight into your work ethic and how you thrive under pressure.
