Deputy News Editor - Digital Spy

LONDON, United Kingdom

JOB DESCRIPTION

Digital Spy, the UK’s biggest TV and movies website, is looking for a Deputy News Editor to help produce world-class news, exclusives, and interviews across TV, Movies, Soaps, Showbiz, Tech, and Gaming.

You'll be working alongside the News Editor, Night News Editor, Deputy Editor, Managing Editor, Chief Sub Editor, Photo Director (Digital), and Deputy Picture Editor to manage the news agenda, ensuring that breaking news is covered swiftly, commissioning freelance reporters to cover stories, and working on an early shift rota, alongside the News Editor.

The Deputy News Editor will also work alongside various section editors across TV, Movies, and Soaps to balance the areas of news that we cover. You will also collaborate with the News Editor to ensure the freelance rota is managed and filled effectively. The successful candidate will also work on reporting best-performing news and e-commerce content and identify trends, as well as monitoring the diversity of our output.

If you're a great news writer with SEO experience, with excellent knowledge and passion for all things TV, Movies, Soaps, then this could be the opportunity for you. Knowledge of Showbiz, Tech, Gaming, and e-commerce content is a plus, but not essential.

About Hearst

Hearst is the UK’s leading premium publisher, and the people behind iconic media brands such as Digital Spy, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Country Living.

We’ve created a working environment that encourages everyone to pull together. We never stop looking for brave new ideas. We’ll always try to develop and improve, we trust each other to do our best, and we have fun as we build on our heritage to make history.

ABOUT THE ROLE

• Writing daily news stories across TV, Movies, Soaps, and Showbiz, with the best SEO practice, and ensuring that breaking news is covered swiftly and shared onto social media.
• Managing and prioritising the Digital Spy news agenda, including headlines, angles, commissioning reporters, and relevant calls to action.
• Taking part in regular early shifts – 7am – 3pm, and 9.30am – 5.30pm, in a rota alongside the News Editor.
• Interviewing talent via the phone, at video junkets, and in-person, as well as attending screenings, red carpet events, press conferences, and roundtables virtually and in person.
• Reporting best performing content, identifying trends, monitoring e-commerce content and the diversity of our output in weekly news meetings, alongside the News Editor.
• Assisting the News Editor in managing the evening and weekend freelance rota, as well as recruiting and training news freelancers.
   

ABOUT THE ROLE

The ideal candidate will have news writing experience, either full-time or freelancing for national digital entertainment publications, or news-based publications. Experience in writing for SEO is essential, as is an extensive knowledge of the UK television industry, as well as releases on the big streaming platforms, major movies and blockbuster franchises, and UK and Australian Soaps. A working knowledge of Showbiz, Tech, Gaming and e-commerce content is desirable, but not essential. Previous interviewing experience is desirable, as well as knowledge of what makes a strong news angle, and knowledge of media law.
 

WHAT WE OFFER

At Hearst UK, you can choose from a huge range of perks and benefits that can help you learn well, work well and live well, including:

• 25 days’ holiday (with the option to buy up to 5 additional holiday days)
• Hybrid working – currently 2 days minimum based in our London office
• Discounted gym membership
• Healthcare cash plan
• Spend a charity day with your favourite good cause
• Life assurance and pension scheme
• Regular socials and more!