The Independent, Assistant Editor (platforms, news and homepage)

Assistant Editor (platforms, news and homepage)
Reports to: Editor

The Independent is seeking an exceptional digital newsroom leader to curate the title’s homepage and improve audience growth via sound editorial judgments both on and off platform.

The right candidate will likely come from a strong news background, but have a firm grasp on all aspects of editorial from sport to the arts and comment.

The successful candidate will also have a deep understanding of digital publishing and how to grow and retain an audience on a global scale, with particular knowledge of direct audience growth on-platform.

The right person will be a decisive problem solver, with the ability and attitude to influence colleagues into positive and timely action.

Day to day the Assistant Editor would do everything from forensically overseeing the homepage output, to commissioning content and being across editorial growth plans, working hand in glove with the Head of Audience and Deputy Editor.

Experience as a homepage editor and leader at an equivalent title is essential. This is a senior role, where the successful candidate will report directly to the editor and be expected to be comfortable managing multiple priorities in a calm and methodical manner.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• We champion diversity in our teams and in our reporting. As a growing and global brand, we must have a workforce that’s more representative of our readers, viewers, clients and partners, and a workplace that creates a sense of belonging for everyone.
• We are committed to hiring and developing a diverse workforce regardless of background, and we support our people to thrive in their careers here.

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.

Key responsibilities and skills:

• Owning the curation and strategy of the site’s homepage
• Audience growth on-platform.
• Understand digital analytics tools.
• Have a proven track record as a news journalist.
• Advise on publishing strategy and help lead on implementing best practice.
• Complete understanding of all analytics platforms used to track the Independent and use them to map strategy and spot issues.
• Act swiftly and vocally when issues arise.
• Be a problem solver with the ability to deal with issues calmly and decisively.
• Be a team-player able to work well with others.

Essential skills and experience

• Experience of successfully working in a similar role at a similar title.
• Demonstrable experience as a senior journalist.
• Strong familiarity with the Independent and our coverage.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills required to manage the daily/weekly/monthly publishing flow of an editorial team.
• Experience collaborating with editors to grow and increase audience, both on site and across platforms.
• Ability to interpret data and make insightful recommendations.
• Skilled content creator.
• Ability to clearly communicate best practices.
• Experience of working in a dynamic fast-paced media environment.

Expected behaviours

1. Continuous Improvement – Works in a smart, flexible and focussed way, is open to change and suggests ideas for improvements to the way things are done.
2. Collaboration – Builds and maintains positive and supportive working relationships with colleagues. Helps to create an inclusive and professional work environment.
3. Building Capability – Keeps own knowledge and skill set current and evolving and looks for ways to continue learning to support the achievement of business objectives.
4. Quality Service – Delivers high quality and efficient service and takes account of the diverse customer needs and requirements when looking at ways to improve service quality.
5. Responsive Delivery - Works to agreed business goals and objectives and deals with challenges in a constructive and responsive way. Takes personal responsibility for quality of outputs.

Our values – you will deliver across all our values

Inclusive: We champion diversity in our teams and in our reporting. Working as a team, we put transparency and effective communication at the heart of everything we do.
Innovative: From the very beginning, The Independent has been breaking the mould. We take risks and are always looking to try new ideas in pursuit of excellence.
Independent: Nobody tells us what to think; we make up our own minds and aren’t afraid to do things differently. Like our readers, we value honesty and integrity above outside influences.