Trainee Print Writer - East Midlands

We are looking for a passionate Trainee Print Writer to join our dynamic print news team. In this unique role, you will get to source and write content for some of our well established East Midlands news brands; the Derby Telegraph, Nottingham Post and Leicester Mercury.

You will be an enthusiastic aspiring journalist with a relevant journalism degree or NCTJ qualification, who has the writing skills and news sense to join the fast paced world of regional print journalism.

We’re looking for fresh ideas and new perspectives from people from a wide range of backgrounds, and we want you to tell us the stories you believe are important from our many communities so we can continue to diversify our content.

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.

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

What will the role involve?

You will work as part of our print news team to produce engaging local news content. You will have the opportunity to source and write important local stories and exclusives that engage our readers across the East Midlands and help us to have a positive impact on the communities we serve.

You will curate strong contacts within the industry for story gathering in our existing and underserved communities. You will source and conduct interviews, with a primary focus on news (but with scope to cover other areas including sport), always planning how to scoop the next exclusive. This role typically involves working Monday to Friday, however occasional weekend and/or evening shifts may be needed to adapt to the news agenda, so a flexible approach is required.

Who are we looking for?

You are a passionate journalist in training, ideally with an NCTJ or equivalent journalism degree. You have a good understanding of UK media law (essential) and ideally have shorthand skills. You are a first class writer with excellent storytelling ability and a keen eye for what makes a great story. You have some demonstrable experience writing news focussed content for a similar regional news title, student newspaper or similar and have a clear passion for local journalism.

You have a working knowledge of the East Midlands area, or you are ready and willing to quickly learn the patch you will be covering. You are excited to dive into the fast paced world of print journalism, write content at pace and meet strict deadlines with ease.

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 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

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.