Deputy Lifestyle Editor

About us

The Independent has always been “condemned to innovate”, and has always done so. It has many “firsts” to its credit, including its own creation. It was the first British newspaper to add a Saturday magazine; the first broadsheet to go tabloid; the first to give stunning photography the same prestige as a news or feature story; the first to challenge the Westminster lobby system of closed briefings (“a self-satisfied cabal”); the first to launch a concise quality compact paper, i, in 2010; the first to launch an edition for children; and the first to go fully digital, in 2016. We felt then that our resources would best be concentrated on this growing medium, and progress since has justified that.

Through The Independent Daily Edition app, The Independent and indy100 websites, via social media and via the membership service, Independent Premium, we hope to continue the work of many decades, and to make our voice ever louder and more insistent the world over; across generations, genders and cultures. Every minute of every day we are forging new bonds with new audiences.

Today we have teams across the globe, from Delhi, Moscow and the Middle East, through to London, New York and Los Angeles.

The role

The Independent is looking for an experienced digital journalist to deputise on our vibrant and fast-paced lifestyle desk.

The successful candidate will be adept at writing sparkling copy to tight deadlines and seeking out news stories across a variety of sections including fashion, relationships, health, food and women.

They will be well-versed in conducting interviews and crafting unique and interesting features that appeal to our independently-minded audience.

We are looking for someone who will be unflustered working in a fast-paced environment; able to turn around a breaking news story one minute and compile a witty first-person piece the next, and who is constantly plugged in to the latest trends.

The Deputy Lifestyle Editor will be responsible for editing the lifestyle news, leading the team of reporters in the editor’s absence and attending the morning conference.

About you

As deputy lifestyle editor you will play a vital role in shaping a key section of this international news brand, reporting directly into Lifestyle Editor and working closely with the wider Independent team. You will be a skilled editor with a forensic eye for errors and an ability to polish an average article into something worthy of a national newspaper.

Key responsibilities

• Supporting the lifestyle editor with the running of a busy desk
• Selecting and editing the news portion of the lifestyle output
• Sourcing and writing traffic-driving news stories day-to-day, as well as first-person pieces, interviews and features where time allows
• Managing the news workflow and progress
• Attending morning news conference and presenting ideas and stories
• Close collaboration with all teams atThe Independent
• Able to commission quality features from big-name writers and edit to a high standard
• Being across the planning of key events and occasionally covering them live
• Monitoring and analysing traffic with an eye to grow page views and uniques.

Skills and expertise

• Experience as a senior lifestyle reporter on a newspaper, magazine or similar
• Previous work in a newsroom is preferable
• Excellent writing skills and demonstrable experience of sub-editing copy to a high standard
• Organised and unflappable
• A track record of growing audiences using analytical tools and an understanding of how to drive engagement
• First-rate knowledge of SEO and social media
• Managerial experience
• Knowledge and understanding of The Independent brand.

To apply, please send an up to date CV along with a full covering letter with salary expectations.

Due to the high volume of applications we will only be contacting candidates who have been shortlisted and progressed through to the next stage.

Location: You will be based at our Head office in Kensington, London, W8.

The Independent is an equal opportunities employer, if you require any reasonable adjustments to complete your application, please do not hesitate to advise us accordingly.

All of our employees are entitled to benefits including great pension, private healthcare and life insurance schemes. We also offer cycle to work and season ticket loan initiatives to make our employees’ journeys to work easier. We want our employees to enjoy working for us and we invest in training and development to support and develop rewarding careers.