Audience Writer (Spare Time) - Content Hub (4 month FTC)

We are looking for an Audience Writer to join our Spare Time team in our new and exciting Content Hub. This role is initially on a four-month fixed term contract basis to cover family leave, however can be subject to change.

The role requires someone adept at spotting national trending content that will resonate with our audience and produce stories quickly and accurately so we can publish them in a timely fashion. 

This role will involve having your finger on the pulse of key audience trends within your topic areas to create engaging, original and optimised content that reaches large audiences and keeps them coming back for more. This role is suited to someone who’s creative, has an eye for the details that make great headlines and has a flair for writing. The subjects covered by the Spare Time team include lifestyle, home and garden care, cleaning, cooking, travel and health and well-being.

Ideally, you will have a background in journalism, strong knowledge of various social media platforms and experience in SEO techniques, tools and best practice.   Trends writing experience would also be beneficial. 

So, who are we?

We are Reach Plc, you might not have heard of us but we have probably met without you even realising it. We are 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 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.

We are happy to consider applications on a flexible working basis, and will always aim to accommodate requests where possible.

This role is home based and we are therefore open to candidates based across the UK.

What will the role involve?

• A sharp eye for a story that’s likely to spark interest in a large group of people, be shared, generate discussion, help people make decisions in their own lives or prompt a laugh.
• Source and create content for our great national and regional titles, writing in an engaging and easy-to-access style to reach as large an audience as possible
• You will be creative with a stream of original ideas for content that readers will love - to ensure we get the highest possible levels of audience engagement. 
• You will utilise AI tools, in line with company policies, to optimise content creation, improve accuracy and efficiency, and create engaging articles that resonate with our audience
• Find and tell stories within your topic areas which engage as many readers as possible on brands across the Reach network
• Develop original ideas for content which will perform well on our national and regional brands
• Source on-brand stories from social platforms including Instagram, TikTok and Facebook
• Build communities online and in real life to share stories with once published, and engage with readers about those stories
• Liaise with content editors to maximise opportunities to drive engagement after publication
• Write stories and headlines in ways that encourage people to read and share them
• Monitor social media trends and specifically target key referrers 
• Uphold Reach's policy around diversity and inclusion and work to ensure our values around non discrimination are upheld in everything we publish.
• Utilise AI tools, in line with company policies, to optimise content creation, improve accuracy and efficiency, and deliver engaging articles for the vertical that resonate with our audience

Who are we looking for?

An experienced journalist, ideally with your NCTJ or equivalent qualification and media law knowledge,  you have a strong track record of telling stories accurately that engage large audiences with a real passion for digital storytelling. You have a sharp news sense, excellent accuracy and attention to detail.

You have first rate editing, writing and subbing skills, relish the test of working under pressure and to tight deadlines. You’re social media savvy with current SEO and Discover knowledge and ideally you're familiar with newsroom analytics and content management systems. You’re flexible, inquisitive and are on the pulse of what makes a great story!

Strong people management skills would also be beneficial.

What can we offer you?

We are offering a competitive salary and benefits including;

• Help saving for your retirement - join our pension scheme and well match contributions up to 6%
• 25 days holiday per year when you join. After three, five and ten years service with Reach, youll accrue one additional day of annual leave. We also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Giving back day - an additional days leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
• Enhanced family leave - including maternity, paternity and adoption - and youll 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 UKs top 50 Inclusive Employers everyones 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 employee assistance programme (EAP) for you and your nearest and dearest
• Awesome career opportunities - you'll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes
• We are also a member of the 30% Club, a global campaign aimed at increasing gender diversity at board and senior management levels

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested please apply early to avoid disappointment.

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.