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Head of Features - Sunday Mirror and Sunday People

Employer
Reach plc
Location
England, London
Salary
Negotiable
Closing date
28 Jun 2022

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Industry
Journalist
Job Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Sector
Nationals
Discipline
Editor

Job Details

The Sunday Mirror and Sunday People are looking for an experienced Head of Features to join their team. This is an excellent opportunity to become head of our lively features department where you will run the desk with the support of the Deputy Features Editor and lead a team of writers and columnists.

This role is ideal for a skilled and experienced editor who can source and create engaging features across a variety of topics covering everything from showbiz to historical pieces, investigations, real-life and consumer issues while reacting to the news agenda to secure big exclusive buy-ups and commentary from a diversity of guest writers.

So who are we?

You might not have heard of us, but we have probably met without you even realising it. Reach plc is 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 Liverpool Echo, BirminghamLive and of course, the Manchester Evening News (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 based in Canary Wharf, we are therefore open to candidates based in and around London.


Key Responsibilities

What will the role involve?

  • To run the features desk and department with passion and skill
  • To support the Editor and Deputy Editor in producing competitive, agenda-setting papers
  • To deliver strong features for the Sunday Mirror and Sunday People in accordance with IPSO and legal requirements
  • To originate articles in-house at little or no cost to the company as well as speaking to freelancers, press agencies, PR agents and other contacts to buy in features within a fixed contributions budget
  • To generate fresh ideas for the Sunday Mirror and Sunday People in conference every day and at other times when requested, for example forward planning meetings
  • To manage the Deputy Features Editor as well as a team of reporters and columnists both in the office and in regional roles
  • To present the features list to the Editor and Deputy Editor in conference

The Ideal Candidate

Who are we looking for?

  • A high level of professionalism
  • Excellent people management skills
  • Superb news sense and an eye for a story
  • Flexibility in working hours including evenings and weekends as required
  • Flexibility in working styles
  • Sound judgement and initiative with the ability to make critical decisions in a high-pressure environment
  • A sense of responsibility regarding the content of both newspapers and making this content competitive within the market
  • Excellent confidence and communication skills
  • Exceptional attention to detail

Required qualifications and experience

  • NCTJ or equivalent journalism degree and knowledge of media law
  • Previous experience managing a team
  • Previous desk experience on a national title
  • Previous experience in a fast-paced newsroom
  • Experience of commissioning features and/or working on regional news titles or agencies
  • Previous experience successfully managing a budget
  • Previous experience of editing other writers' copy
  • Excellent contacts within the industry

Package Description

What can we offer you?

We are offering a competitive salary and benefits including;

  • Help saving for your retirement - join our pension scheme and we'll match contributions up to 6%
  • 25 days' holiday per year when you join. 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 day's leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
  • Enhanced family leave - including maternity, paternity and adoption - and you'll 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 UK's top 50 Inclusive Employers everyone's 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 assistance programme for you and your nearest and dearest, a free subscription to mindfulness app Headspace and access to free mental health coaching through Sanctus
  • Awesome career opportunities - you'll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes

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.


Company

As one of the UK’s largest multimedia companies our award-winning portfolio includes five national newspapers, over 100 regional newspapers and a range of websites and digital products. But it’s our people who make Reach plc what it is.

Company info
Website
Telephone
020 7293 3000
Location
One Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5AP
GB

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