Deputy Comment Editor

The Telegraph; London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Telegraph seeks a Senior Editor for its Comment desk. This role involves crafting editorial positions, commissioning opinion pieces, and engaging with columnists and readers. Candidates should have substantial editing experience and a deep understanding of British politics, with a focus on fostering reader engagement and editorial quality.

Benefits

Medical cover

Parental leave

Life assurance

Season ticket loans

Flexible benefits

Qualifications

• Substantial editing experience, ideally in a national newsroom.
• Sympathy with the Telegraph’s editorial positions preferred.
• Extensive relevant contacts essential.

Responsibilities

• Commissioning, editing, and publishing opinion columns.
• Deputising for the Comment Editor.
• Planning for set-piece events, including elections.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of British politics

Editing experience

Online publishing experience

Ghost-writing experience

Media experience including video and podcasts

Job description

Role purpose and overview

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a senior role at the heart of the Telegraph, helping to craft the paper’s editorial positions alongside the leadership team. The role involves working with some of the best columnists in the country, coming up with strong ideas for columns, and commissioning opinion pieces that engage, entertain and inform our growing subscriber base in print and online.

This is a senior position on the Comment desk for an experienced editor. It will involve working closely with the Comment editor as well as the Telegraph’s top editorial team. It is very much a commissioning role, and coming up with ideas for original columns is a core part of the job. Depending on the background and interests of the successful candidate, it could also include leader writing and other projects.

Key responsibilities

• Commissioning, editing and publishing agenda-setting opinion columns
• Growing our subscriber base, and engaging existing readers, by identifying the subjects and arguments that will have most appeal
• Deputising for the Comment Editor, including attending editorial conferences with the Editor and Deputy Editors, and taking responsibility for major projects
• Planning for set-piece events, including elections, Budgets, and national occasions
• Working with our columnists and developing relationships with new external writers
• Working closely with our publishers on editing, timing and promotion
• Developing junior team-members and identifying talent within the organisation
• Some Saturday and Sunday working

Key skills

• An interest in and in-depth knowledge of British politics and current affairs is essential. Sympathy with the Telegraph’s editorial positions is strongly preferred.
• Extensive relevant contacts
• Substantial editing experience, ideally gained in a national newsroom or major digital platform
• Online publishing experience, including headline optimisation, would be beneficial
• Ghost-writing experience is desirable
• Experience of other media, including video and podcasts

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.