Job Description

The Manchester Evening News is the largest regional website in the country and over the years we have learned how to get political coverage read. We now want to grow that audience further by recruiting an experienced Political Writer to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who really cares about Manchester and the north and wants to help fight for its future.

We are looking for a great journalist who can create local and national political content. You will be someone who understands how politics and policy impacts everyone\'s lives. You will bring in exclusive stories and spot trends that inform longer agenda-setting reads.

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 Manchester Evening News, Liverpool Echo, BirminghamLive (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 and hub based linked to our Manchester Hub. We are therefore open to candidates based in Greater Manchester.

Key Responsibilities

What will the role involve?

You will generate exclusive Manchester, Greater Manchester and northern political content and analysis by building and maintaining a strong network of contacts across the city and wider region. You will tell the stories of how politics and policy impacts on people\'s lives and pick subjects for wider development and analysis.

You will be a cheerleader for Greater Manchester people and put the audience front and centre of creating your content. You will write quick takes to deadlines, run live blogs, create analysis and commentary. This position will involve weekend and evening working, so a flexible approach is required. You will also take part in the news rota so you will need general news as well as political reporting experience.

The Ideal Candidate

Who are we looking for?

You are an NCTJ (or equivalent) qualified senior journalist with in depth knowledge of media law. You have a proven track record reporting on politics in a regional or national newsroom and a deep understanding of how the public sector works. You are a strong storyteller able to translate complex ideas into understandable copy.

You have a passion for news and politics, excellent storytelling skills and a deep understanding of how to make content engaging. You will be as comfortable cultivating contacts in Westminster as reporting social affairs in Manchester. You have a strong voice on social media and understand the Manchester Evening News brand. You are well organised, adaptable and creative with good judgement.

Package Description

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.

Reach PLC