At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to cover breaking news and ensure fast, accurate reporting.
- Company: Join the Telegraph Media Group, a fast-paced and innovative news organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, medical cover, generous parental leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equality of opportunity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in journalism and shape how breaking news is delivered.
- Qualifications: Experience in news editing and strong decision-making skills under pressure are essential.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
The Head of Breaking News is one of the most senior editors on the news desk. They are responsible for overseeing a team of editors and reporters who monitor, identify, verify, commission and publish breaking news. This will initially focus on domestic news. This system has to operate across the whole day to publish stories as quickly as possible and then build these stories up to the highest standard. They must work closely with the National News Editor and Homepage team to flag the biggest emerging stories. They will also need to form strong relationships with other departments to coordinate coverage when stories cross into different areas. They are responsible for monitoring live coverage such as live blogs and deciding with publishers the right format for breaking news stories. This includes working closely with the picture desk, video desk and graphics. The Head of Breaking News will be asked for snap updates by more senior editors, and be expected to give clear direction to more junior colleagues to ensure stories are filed and published quickly. The role requires someone who is passionate about news, is energetic and motivating. They must be able to stay calm under pressure and deliver fast paced news coverage to the highest standard.
Key responsibilities
- Establishing and maintaining a system to identify, verify, commission and publish breaking news across the whole day.
- Judging and justifying which stories are covered and which are not.
- Communicating big breaking news to the National News Editor and Home Page.
- Managing and developing a team of editors and reporters to ensure the Telegraph’s coverage of breaking news is fast, accurate and of the highest standard.
- Managing live blogs.
- Establishing and managing a ‘listening’ team to ensure wires, social media and rivals are monitored for news and newslines.
Key skills
- Experience of news editing for a national newspaper or equivalent is essential.
- Exceptional news judgement is essential.
- An ability to work and make decisions under pressure, including communicating with more senior and junior colleagues in that environment is essential.
- Experience presenting to senior editors is essential.
- Knowledge of media law and Ipso guidelines is essential.
- An ability to make independent decisions is essential.
- An ability to communicate instructions clearly under pressure, ensure these are delivered and that relevant feedback is given is essential.
- Able to form strong relationships with other news editors, reporters and publishers is essential.
- It is vital to embrace digital content and creative ways to tell news stories to an online audience. Prior experience of this is essential.
- Strong ability to edit articles clearly, concisely and to house style is essential.
- Good organisational skills - able to keep multiple projects on track and stakeholders up to date - are essential.
- An ability to motivate others to work to high standards under pressure is essential.
- An ability to address potential conflicts which have an impact on delivery targets and respond to shifting priorities is essential.
- Previous management experience is desirable.
Our benefits
The nature of our industry means life at the Telegraph Media Group is fast-paced, demanding, and interesting. We also want it to be rewarding for everyone who works here by creating a suite of benefits that contribute to lifestyle choices and leisure activities. From dynamic working opportunities, medical cover, and parental leave (six months fully paid maternity leave and enhanced paternity/partner leave), to life assurance and season ticket loans, you can choose from a range of flexible benefits, designed to support your lifestyle and help you achieve a healthy work-life balance.
Training and development
With support from your manager and colleagues, you’ll also have access to a variety of training and development opportunities through The Academy. Covering a range of personal and professional skills, our courses enable you to develop an enjoyable and rewarding career.
Our commitment to inclusion
At Telegraph Media Group, we foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and we are committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of skills, perspectives and backgrounds. We believe in equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We are proud to be a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader as part of the government’s Disability Confident Scheme. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition and would like support in applying for any of our roles or if you require any reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process with us, please make us aware.
To find out more about Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Telegraph Media Group, and for more information on our purpose, beliefs, and people values, please visit our website.
Head of Breaking News in London employer: The Telegraph Media Group
At Telegraph Media Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and fast-paced work environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training opportunities and a suite of flexible benefits designed to support a healthy work-life balance. With a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, we ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives to our mission of delivering high-quality news coverage.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Breaking News 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 Telegraph Media 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 The Telegraph Media 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 Head of Breaking News 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 Telegraph Media Group:When applying for the Head of Breaking News role at The Telegraph Media 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 The Telegraph Media 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 The Telegraph Media 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 The Telegraph Media Group. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
