Job Description

Company Description
We are looking for an Audience Writer in the Spare Time team in Reach's exciting Content Hub on a 9 month fixed term contract.
The role requires someone adept at coming up with original ideas and spotting national trending content that will resonate with our audience, as well as producing 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 and Discover techniques, tools and best practice. Trends writing experience would also be beneficial. As well as writing, we will also expect the creation of original video to be a part of this role.
About us
Hello, we're Reach. Every day, our trusted news, stories and content connect with millions of people where they live - whether that's on their social feed or at their neighbourhood newsstand; through their local community or their take on the hot topic of the day.
We're home to more than 120 trusted brands - from household names like the Mirror, Express, Daily Star and Daily Record, to local titles like MyLondon, BelfastLive, and the Manchester Evening News, and brands making a splash in the US like the Irish Star.
It's our ability to understand people and the things that matter to them that makes us the UK and Ireland's largest commercial news publisher. We reach 70% of the UK's online population and speak to over 100 million social followers around the world. And we're just getting started...
Your story, with Reach
As a modern media organisation, we're much more than just news. And it takes a wide range of people and skills to serve diverse audiences, customers and communities like we do.
We know everyone has their own story to tell, so we've built an environment where every background is respected and every day is a day to explore.
We'll help you build a career that works with your life, while giving you the space to create and grow
About this role
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, as well as blogs
• 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
• Create video to go with your stories where relevant
• 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

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.
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.
How we'll look after you
We take good care of our people - and that means more than just a pay packet. Whatever your role, you'll get a range of benefits. Here are our standard UK & ROI benefits - please check the specifics out for your role when you apply.
25 days' holiday (not including bank holidays), plus an extra day after you've been with us for three, five and ten years. We also have a scheme to help you buy extra holiday if you want to.
An extra day's leave each year to volunteer for a cause that matters to you.
Help saving for your retirement - we'll match your company pension contributions up to 6% and you can contribute through salary sacrifice.
Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 assistance programme for you and your family.
A healthcare cash plan - giving you money back for a range of medical expenses and fast access to doctor's appointments.
Bonus scheme - you'll get a stake in our success and a chance to add to your annual earnings.
Access to lots of discounts - including with Reach's very own online marketplace, Yimbly, where you can buy everything from homewares to beauty products.
Supportive and progressive people policies - we're proud to have a range of policies to support people in their lives in and outside work, including enhanced family leave and policies to promote flexibility, inclusion and progression. We believe you shouldn't have to wait to join us to know what to expect from us, which is why we share . If there's something you want to understand more about, just ask.
Additional Information
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.