Head of News

You will need to login before you can apply for a job.

Role purpose and overview

• Lead and manage the Home News, Foreign and Politics departments of the Telegraph
• Help lead the continued transformation of The Telegraph ensuring that your department thinks and acts for our digital readers and drives our subscription strategy
• Be accountable for all commissioning, writing and editing in the News department, generating and deciding on ideas, and delivering high-quality journalism
• Deliver a content strategy that ensures the department maximises its effectiveness by concentrating resource on the subject areas and content types that resonate with our readers
• Conceive and deliver long term projects both around diaried events such as an election or coronation and original ideas.
• Ensure optimisation of distribution strategies for the news department, via owned channels such as newsletters or on third-party platforms
• Identify and promote from within the department; identify and attract talent from other organisations. Develop and nurture those within the department
• Financial and budgetary responsibility for the department

Key responsibilities

• Delivering news output of the Telegraph across all platforms. Generate ideas, commission and edit interesting and well-informed content across news, producing content that attracts and retains subscribers.
• Delivering and executing a content strategy for the department
• Recruitment
• Staff management and development
• Use analytics and data to develop and retain an online audience and ensure that what is published attracts and retains a sufficient audience and level of subscriptions.
• Ensure commissions consider publishing requirements and articles deliver publishing targets
• Ensure that data is fundamental to decisions that are made within the department, and develop the use and understanding of data throughout it.
• Ensure that resources are deployed appropriately to maximise value to the reader.
• Ensure that the reactive and longer term functions of the news department are properly reflected in the commissioning structure and duties.
• Duty Edit the Telegraph as required and lead conferences.
• Manage the department so it has the appropriate meetings, systems and structures to run efficiently and deliver the best journalism to our readers
• Financial responsibility for the department, hitting budgets and maximising the return on the budget

Key skills

• Proven experience as a senior journalist - running substantial departments in fast-moving news or features environment
• Strong track record of striking ideas, producing compelling output that demonstrably builds audiences
• Command of the news agenda and natural understanding of the subjects and stories that will drive subscriber engagement
• Track record in delivering best in class scoops, developing stories or news projects
• A broad frame of reference and interests. Ability to identify good subjects for features from a wide range of subjects that are of interest to our readers
• Understanding of how to maximise the impact of our journalism through how it is presented, how it is headlined and how it is sold on our platforms and third-party platforms
• An understanding of analytics and how to use them to improve the department's output
• A proven identifier and developer of talent, you should have a list of people you would want to attract or develop and a plan of how you would do so
• Strong organisational skills to ensure that the department runs efficiently and with open and clear communication
• Ability to get the best out of people through setting clear expectations and helping people achieve their objectives
• Proven ability to manage budgets

Our benefits

The nature of our industry means life at the Telegraph Media Group is fast-paced, demanding, and interesting. We also want it to be rewarding for everyone who works here by creating a suite of benefits that contribute to lifestyle choices and leisure activities. From dynamic working opportunities, medical cover, and parental leave (six months fully paid maternity leave and enhanced paternity/partner leave), to life assurance and season ticket loans, you can choose from a range of flexible benefits, designed to support your lifestyle and help you achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Training and development

With support from your manager and colleagues, you'll also have access to a variety of training and development opportunities through The Academy. Covering a range of personal and professional skills, our courses enable you to develop an enjoyable and rewarding career.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Telegraph Media Group, we foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and we are committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of skills, perspectives and backgrounds. We believe in equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

We are proud to be a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader as part of the government's Disability Confident Scheme. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition and would like support in applying for any of our roles or if you require any reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process with us, please make us aware.

To find out more about Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Telegraph Media Group, and for more information on our purpose, beliefs, and people values, please visit our website.

Apply now