Content Editor – Features and Perspectives – Manchester Evening News – Reach (Manchester)

The Manchester Evening News has a rare opportunity to join our content desk in a role that manages the commission, editing and production of agenda-setting non-breaking content. This could be thoughtful political reads, strong opinion, backgrounders, investigations, real life stories or lifestyle and food and drink content. You’ll need to have a deep desire to tell the stories that impact people in our towns and cities and be as comfortable managing a complex crime investigation as you are editing a Greggs taste test!

The Manchester Evening News is the country’s largest regional news website. You will join a  vibrant, creative newsroom covering the best city in the world. We pride ourselves on setting the agenda and making a difference; two of our campaigns were mentioned in this year’s King’s speech.

This is a senior management role at the Manchester Evening News and involves publishing and the management and development of content and people.

Please note we will be reviewing applications for this role as applications are submitted. Due to this the role may close without notice, so please don’t delay in your application.

So, who are we?

We are Reach Plc, you might not have heard of us but we have probably met without you even realising it. We are home to the UK and Ireland’s most iconic digital platforms, magazines and newspapers. From the Mirror, Daily Express and OK!, to our regional titles such as the Manchester Evening News, the Liverpool Echo and YorkshireLive (plus lots more), our brands and the stories we cover are as varied as our people. We help all kinds of people share experiences through our stories because we believe this is what makes us human.

Oh, and we should probably also mention that with a monthly readership of 47 million people, Reach is the largest commercial publisher in the UK. At Reach, not only will you feel better understood, you will also feel you understand other people better too.

This role is home and hub-based linked to our Manchester Hub. We are therefore open to candidates based in and around Greater Manchester

Key Responsibilities

• Commission, manage, edit, publish the highest standard of original content across a range of topics
• Generate ideas for stories that people want to read
• Understand how to create, edit, headline and publish content to stand out
• Have an understanding of the different requirements of content referrers such as Google Organic/Discover and social media platforms
• Motivate and inspire the writers to produce content the audience wants to read
• Mentor and develop our team of writers
• Steer journalists in how to build contacts, and tell stories in the most effective way
• Help ensure digital targets are reached
• Maintain editorial, ethical and legal standards across digital platforms
• Ensure Reach publishing standards are met at all times
• Steer journalists in how to build contacts, and tell stories in the most effective way
• Be comfortable giving feedback to writers
• Foster a high-performance culture by setting clear expectations and having in-the-moment performance discussions
• Develop a culture of trust, where people are safe to speak up, clear on their role in the team’s success and empowered to be their best at work.
• Reward and recognise great performance, celebrating people’s achievements and successes.
• Act as a role model and take a lead on change initiatives to support the group’s strategy and our employees.

The ideal candidate

This is a dream job for the right person. You will be a senior member of the Manchester Evening News team managing the creation of a high volume of original, engaging content. It is a role for an experienced journalist who ideally has management experience.

• Strong people management skills – essential to get this job
• An NCTJ/ Reach plc or equivalent senior journalist qualification (or relevant time-served experience)
• Experience of content management
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop content teams
• Understanding of editorial strategy and brand values
• Strong storytelling skills
• Good digital publishing skills – or a willingness to learn
• An understanding of social media both in terms of finding content and sharing it
• An understanding of how to use analytics to inform content commissioning and production – or a willingness to learn
• First-class organisational skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to present in conference
• Adaptable, flexible, creative and full of flair
• A positive, can-do attitude
• Ability to work well as part of a team
• Ability to work quickly and effectively under deadline pressure
• Good judgement
• Energy, drive, determination and self-motivation
• Flexible approach to shifts
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to take instruction as well as manage own workload efficiently
• Up-to-date knowledge of media law and IPSO code

What can we offer you?

We are offering a competitive salary and benefits including;

• Help saving for your retirement – join our pension scheme and well match contributions up to 6%
• 33 days holiday total per year (this role will involve working bank holidays as required). After three, five and ten years’ service with Reach, you’ll accrue one additional day of annual leave. We also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Giving back day – an additional days leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
• Enhanced family leave – including maternity, paternity and adoption – and youll be eligible after just six months employment
• Private Healthcare Cash Plan – free health cash plan so you can claim back cash for a range of medical expenses
• As one of the UKs top 50 Inclusive Employers everyones invited to join our events, programmes and networks to celebrate diversity and build an environment where all our people can thrive
• Wellbeing support – including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP) for you and your nearest and dearest
• Awesome career opportunities – youll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes
• We are also a member of the 30% Club, a global campaign aimed at increasing gender diversity at board and senior management levels

Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.