Audience and Content Editor - Reading & High Wycombe

Newsquest; Reading; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Holiday buy scheme

Career progression

Pension plan

Employee helpline

Gym membership

Cycle to Work

Eye care

Retail discounts

Team building days

Volunteer day

Job summary

Newsquest in Reading is seeking a driven Audience and Content Editor to lead a team across The Reading Chronicle, Bucks Free Press and associated weeklies, shaping the news agenda on a busy city patch.

This hybrid role combines print and online work; the ideal candidate will inspire reporters, make quick decisions under pressure, ensure strong legal understanding, and deliver high-quality content for multiple platforms.

Qualifications

• Experience on a newsdesk or as a senior reporter
• Excellent knowledge of the law
• Full NCTJ qualification
• Eligible to work in Reading and High Wycombe

Responsibilities

• Lead a newsroom team to plan and shape print front pages and story selection across The Reading Chronicle, Bucks Free Press and weeklies
• Develop reporting teams and ensure high-quality content for print and online
• Drive subscription campaigns and coordinate with print production staff to maintain timely, accurate coverage
• Inspire and motivate staff, manage deadlines, and adapt content for multiple platforms

Skills

Newsroom leadership

Team management

Editorial judgement

Strong communication

Legal knowledge

Education

NCTJ qualification

Tools

CMS (Content Management Systems)

Job description

Audience and Content Editor - Reading & High Wycombe

Application Deadline: 2 October 2026

Department: Editorial

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Reading

Reporting To: Andrew Colley

Description

We are looking for a newsroom leader to help shape one of the UK’s top news regions across print and online platforms.

Working for The Reading Chronicle, Bucks Free Press and associated weeklies, this is a great opportunity for an outstanding journalist to help shape and drive the news agenda on a busy city patch.

The Audience and Content Editor position is a hybrid role across print and online, but we are looking for a qualified candidate who feels comfortable leading a team of reporters and making quick decisions in a fast-paced environment.

You will work alongside a team of Audience and Content Editors in developing the reporting team and helping them get the very best out of their stories for print and online.

Key Responsibilities

This job’s primary focus will be on our print products: working alongside the Regional Editor to craft and shape our titles to ensure a quality read is available on newsstands in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire day in, day out. From seeing a story through from tip-off to splash, working closely on front page and inside story selection, to leading subscription-driving campaigns and investigations, and liaising with our print production staff whose job it is to oversee design and subbing, this role is essential to the running of an effective team.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We are looking for creative people who understand the needs and pressures of a modern newsroom and want to help us deliver the best possible products to our audience.

The ideal candidates would already be working on a newsdesk or could be an experienced senior reporter looking for the next step up.

You will have excellent knowledge of the law and will be comfortable dealing with members of the public.

Candidates should be available to work in Reading and High Wycombe and must have a full NCTJ qualification.

You will:

• Be able to inspire and enthuse a team
• Embrace the chance to have fun in your job and with your team
• Drive our news agenda
• Work under pressure
• Be reactive, creative, and full of ideas
• Create the right mix of content for the right time of day and platform
• Know exactly what makes a story and how to tell it for different platforms

The closing date for applications is October 2. However, we will begin the recruitment and interview process as and when applications arrive.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
• Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
• Structured career progression & ongoing training
• Pension plan
• Employee Helpline counselling and advice
• Perks & discounts including:
  • Gym membership
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Eye care
  • Retail discounts
• Team building days & annual volunteer charity day