Live News Editor (Dundee) - One-year secondment

DC Thomson; Dundee; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local news organization is seeking a Live News Editor for a full-time, one-year secondment in Dundee. You will lead a team of reporters to produce engaging live content and ensure high journalistic standards. Ideal candidates possess strong news editing skills, experience in team management, and a deep understanding of audience engagement through analytics. This role offers a competitive salary, 34 days of holiday, and additional staff benefits.

Benefits

34 days holiday

Health Cash Plan

Onsite Staff Gym

Pension plan

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Brilliant journalist with an eye for detail.
• Experienced manager who can develop talent.
• Strong track record of leading news coverage.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Excellent organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of reporters to produce live content.
• Ensure content accuracy and high standards.
• Manage resources and content planning.
• Align live coverage with newsroom goals.
• Monitor performance using analytics tools.

Skills

News editing

Team management

Analytics interpretation

SEO best practices

Organizational skills

Job description

The Courier is looking for an exceptional journalist to lead its live news team on a one-year secondment.

Based at DC Thomson’s Meadowside office in Dundee, the live team sets the news agenda across Tayside, Fife and Stirling.

It’s the beating heart of the newsroom and is responsible for producing quality content that engages The Courier's local communities fast and first.

The Live News Editor plays a central role in shaping The Courier’s journalism each day.

They ensure we are close to our communities, responding to what matters to them and turning that into impactful, well-told coverage.

This role is key to identifying emerging issues that could make campaigns or investigations, supporting local area editors in building strong identities in their patches, and reinforcing our commitment to journalism that makes a difference.

Reporting to the Head of Live, the Live News Editor is responsible for up to 10 live news journalists split across various geographies.

Accountabilities and responsibilities include:

• Leading a team of reporters to produce a consistent flow of audience-focused live content
• Ensuring all content is accurate, balanced and of the highest standard
• Managing resources, rotas and content planning
• Working closely with the Head of Live and senior editors to align live coverage with wider newsroom goals
• Using analytics tools and data dashboards to monitor performance, identify opportunities and guide editorial decisions
• Collaborating with social, video, SEO and engagement teams to maximise reach and impact across distribution channels
• Fostering an inclusive, supportive newsroom culture, encouraging innovation and professional development through regular 1:1s and feedback sessions
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key local contacts, emergency services and community voices
• Championing SEO best practice and headline optimisation to increase content visibility via search and discovery platforms

The ideal candidate:

• Is a brilliant journalist with an eye for detail, who knows what makes a strong, engaging news story and how to tell it in the right way, whether that be a breaking news story, a live blog, quick update or an in-depth piece of content
• Is an experienced manager who can play the team to their strengths, develop talent and push reporters to reach their full potential
• Has a strong track record of news editing, with the ability to lead coverage through major breaking events, ensuring clarity, accuracy and speed
• Can work calmly under pressure in a fast-paced, high-output environment, meeting deadlines and performance targets without compromising quality
• Understands and interprets real-time analytics, using data to inform editorial priorities and drive audience engagement
• Has excellent organisational skills and can communicate clearly and collaborate with colleagues across audience, social, video and print teams to ensure joined-up coverage
• Understands how readers find and consume live news across search, social, push notifications and newsletters and how to optimise content for each channel
• Understands the wider media landscape and wants to be at the frontline of new and best practice in live storytelling
• Has detailed knowledge of the Editors’ Code of Practice, GDPR and media law
• Holds a full UK driving licence and is comfortable travelling when needed

This is a full-time, 12-Month Secondment, working 35 hours per week from our Meadowside Office. We offer a generous package including 34 days holiday, Health Cash Plan, Onsite Staff Gym (Dundee), excellent Pension, a competitive salary, and many more staff discounts and benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from everyone and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or any other protected characteristics.

If you have any issues with your application, please email

Closing date for applications: Thursday, 20th November 2025 at 16:00hrs

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early once we have received suitable applications. Therefore, please ensure you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.