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The Spectator, Assistant Online Editor

Employer
Press Holdings Media Group
Location
London (Central)
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
15 Nov 2021

View more

Industry
Journalist
Job Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Sector
Online, Digital, Magazine
Discipline
Digital Editor, Deputy Editor

Job Details

The Spectator is growing fast. In the last few years, our sales have doubled and are now over 100,000. Most of our readers now turn to our website regularly, some several times a day, for analysis of the day’s events. What started out as a blog has now become a seven-day live digital comment operation and we’re recruiting accordingly. We have come far with a three-person digital team. We’re now looking for a fourth, full-time assistant online editor to work with us here in 22 Old Queen Street.

This is a brand new position in our almost 200-year old company and is as much an analytical role as it is an editorial one, so the ideal candidate will be someone who understands how websites and search engines operate as well as what makes a good article.

We’re looking for someone with (or with the ability to learn) the full range of journalistic skills, both digital and traditional:

  • Edit the homepage to ensure it looks appealing and performs brilliantly — that it is fast, relevant and reflects the breadth of our coverage, from politics to books and arts.
  • Commission, judge and edit copy to the highest standards (as well as check for errors, typos and legal risk).
  • Edit copy and headlines to ensure the discoverability of content on Google and other search engines.
  • Take ownership of site ‘retention’: ensuring the website performs optimally by keeping readers engaged.
  • Keep abreast of what is trending on the news and social media and try and pre-empt what topics will draw interest.
  • Study and absorb the website’s analytics, using the information gathered to help drive content and posting strategy.
  • Work with the social media manager to ensure that the most compelling content is being pushed out across social media platforms at the right moments.
  • Have a knack for headlines and a good eye for photographs, art, cartoons, and digital presentation.
  • This all requires impeccable attention to detail and an ability to understand online analytics data (which we use to guide, but never dictate, what we do).

We’re looking for someone who has:

  • Knowledge of The Spectator and what readers do (and don’t) expect from us.
  • A good understanding of SEO best practice.
  • A keen interest in current affairs that goes beyond nine to five engagement.
  • A well-developed sense of humour and sense of the absurd.
  • Strong attention to detail and good organisational skills.
  • Versatility, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
  • Experience in working with Google Analytics and/or other data platforms (desirable).

We have a no-CV policy at The Spectator, so please don’t send yours. In journalism, all that matters is whether you can do it – so we instead ask applicants to sit an aptitude test.

So please send a covering letter with some thoughts on what you could bring to the role and complete the tasks below:

  • Outline in a cover letter why you would be right for this job and why you want to work at The Spectator 
  • Submit three web headlines for any Spectator article from a magazine this year and five accompanying tweets. Please include a link to the original article in your answer 
  • Provide two ideas for articles you would commission for The Spectator and say who you would ask to write them 
  • Give three ideas of how The Spectator can improve its digital edition 

Provide details of any relevant journalism experience and also include your current salary and, if applicable, your notice period.

Closing date for applications is 15 November 2021. If you have not received a response from us by 30 November 2021, please assume that you have not been shortlisted for an interview.

Company

Press Holdings Media Group has a number of titles the main ones being The Spectator, which is the oldest English language magazine in the world and APOLLO the international fine art and antiques magazine, est 1925.

Company info
Website
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7961 0200
Location
22 Old Queen Street
London
London
SW1H 9HP
GB

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