Senior Reporter – What’s On Dubai

Zohorecruit; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Motivate Media Group in Dubai is seeking a Senior Reporter to join the editorial team. You will generate and publish high-quality content across news, features, guides, reviews and lifestyle stories, while shaping our digital and social presence for What’s On.

You will cover events, interviews and lifestyle trends, writing SEO-friendly pieces, editing with speed and accuracy, and collaborating with contributors to meet tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of journalism or editorial experience
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading and storytelling skills
• Excellent knowledge of the UAE media and lifestyle landscape
• Strong understanding of SEO and digital content performance
• Experience using CMS like WordPress and analytics tools like GA or Search Console
• Comfortable creating/editing short-form video for Instagram Reels and TikTok
• Confident, creative journalist who can work quickly without compromising quality
• Experience managing contributors, freelancers and deadlines
• Strong understanding of social media and digital audiences
• Degree in Journalism, Media, Communications or related field (or equivalent)

Responsibilities

• Research, write, edit and publish engaging stories for What’s On’s digital platforms.
• Generate original story ideas and stay on top of UAE trends, news, launches and events.
• Write SEO-friendly content using keywords and audience insights to improve reach and engagement.
• Sub-edit and fact-check content to maintain high editorial standards.
• Create content for Instagram, TikTok and other social platforms, including short-form videos.
• Contribute editorial content to What’s On magazine, including features and reviews.
• Attend and cover events, launches, press conferences and media briefings.
• Work with contributors and freelancers to manage stories and meet deadlines.
• Produce branded and sponsored content while maintaining What’s On brand voice.
• Use analytics to understand performance and shape future content.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing

Proofreading

Storytelling

SEO basics

Video editing

Fast-paced work

Contributors management

Social media

Journalism degree

Education

Degree in Journalism/Media/Communications

Tools

WordPress CMS

Google Analytics

Search Console

Job description

Established in 1979, Motivate Media Group operates in partnership between Ian Fairservice and H.E. Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Former Minister of State for Financial Affairs, UAE. With a staff of over 200 experienced professionals based out of the Dubai headquarters, and the Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and London offices, Motivate’s wider publishing expertise includes award-winning print and digital titles such as What’s On , Emirates Woman and Gulf Business . As well as books and magazines, Motivate also produces content across other platforms including video, digital media, cinema, events, social, influencer marketing and out of home.

Job Description

What’s On islooking for a talented Senior Reporter to join our editorial team in Dubai.This is a hands-on role for an experienced journalist who can spot a greatstory, write with speed and accuracy, and create engaging content acrossdigital, social and print.

You will beresponsible for generating and publishing high-quality content across news,features, guides, reviews and lifestyle stories, while contributing ideas tothe daily editorial calendar. You will also help shape our digital and socialpresence, ensuring content is relevant, engaging and optimised for ouraudience.

What youwill do:

• Research, write,edit and publish engaging stories for What’s On’s digital platforms.
  
• Generate originalstory ideas and stay on top of the latest UAE trends, news, launches andevents.
  
• Write SEO-friendlycontent, using keywords, search trends and audience insights to improvereach and engagement.
  
• Sub-edit andfact-check content to maintain high editorial standards.
  
• Create content forInstagram, TikTok and other social platforms, including short-form videosand social posts.
  
• Contribute editorialcontent to What’s On magazine, including features, reviews and specialreports.
  
• Attend and coverevents, launches, press conferences and media briefings, turning them intostrong editorial stories.
  
• Work withcontributors and freelancers to manage stories and meet deadlines.
  
• Produce branded andsponsored content while maintaining the quality and tone of the What’s Onbrand.
  
• Use analytics andaudience data to understand what performs well and shape future content.
  

Requirements

Whatwe’re looking for:

• 5–7years of journalism or editorial experience, ideally within lifestyle,consumer or digital media.
  
• Strongwriting, editing, proofreading and storytelling skills.
  
• Excellentknowledge of the UAE media and lifestyle landscape.
  
• Strongunderstanding of SEO, search intent and digital content performance.
  
• Experienceusing a CMS such as WordPress and analytics tools such as Google Analyticsor Search Console.
  
• Comfortablecreating and editing short-form video for Instagram Reels and TikTok.
  
• Aconfident, creative journalist who can work quickly without compromisingon quality or accuracy.
  
• Experiencemanaging contributors, freelancers and multiple deadlines.
  
• Astrong understanding of social media and digital audiences.
  
• A degree in Journalism, Media,Communications or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
  

Motivate Media Group is the region’s leading multi-platformcontent producer with a diverse portfolio of media interests comprisingmagazines, digital, social, video, exhibitions & events, cinema, OOH and books.