News Desk Manager - Fixed Term Contract - 9 Months

The Telegraph; London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A major media organization in London is seeking an efficient administrative support professional to assist with rota management, freelancer coordination, and travel logistics. Ideal candidates will possess strong organizational and communication skills, along with experience in fast-paced environments. The position offers a fixed-term contract with a supportive work culture and various benefits.

Benefits

Medical cover

Parental leave (six months fully paid maternity leave)

Flexible benefits

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven track record in high-quality administrative support within a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Calm and efficient under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Oversee rota management across departments.
• Record and track holidays and sick leave.
• Process contributor and freelancer payments.
• Arrange corporate travel logistics.
• Coordinate work experience placements.

Skills

High-quality administrative support

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Self-motivated

Proficiency with Google Suite

Tools

Concur SAP

Agresso

Job description

About The Role

This pivotal role supports the Home News team and wider Editorial departments. You will work closely with editors, managing essential operations such as rotas, holiday planning, freelancer coordination, payments, travel logistics and general administrative support.

Please note this is a fixed term contract and suitable candidates would need to be available to start this contract in late October / early November

Key Responsibilities

Rota management

• Oversee five rotas (06:00–01:00, seven days a week) for Home News, Reporters, Lobby, and weekend shifts.
• Keep all schedules updated with holidays, lieu days, and sickness.

Leave & absence

• Record and track holidays, lieu days, and sick leave across all calendars.
• Ensure records are kept up to date in the central holiday system and liaise with HR where required.

Payments

• Process contributor, freelancer, and news agency payments.
• Support expense submissions (Concur SAP) and supplier onboarding.
• Raise POs when necessary.

Freelancers

• Book cover shifts, especially during weekends and school holidays.
• Manage contracts, passes, logins, and payroll paperwork.

Travel

• Arrange travel (flights, hotels, rail, car hire) through our corporate agent.
• Maintain reporter profiles, cash advances, and risk assessments for high-risk travel.

New starters & leavers

• Set up desks, logins, press cards, and equipment.
• Ensure proper closure of accounts for leavers.

Work experience

• Coordinate placements, onboarding, tours, and general support.
• Maintain the master work experience list.

Editorial support

• Monitor and action news tips submitted online.
• Draft correspondence for accreditations, visas, and reader responses.
• Provide admin support to the News Editor, including diary management and awards submissions.

General admin

• Manage business cards, archiving, email groups, desk moves, and seating plans.
• Provide holiday/absence cover for Foreign and Comment Desk Managers.
• Identify operational efficiencies and support budget optimisation.

Key Skills

• Proven track record in high-quality administrative support within a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.
• Calm and efficient under pressure.
• Proficiency with Google Suite (or Microsoft Office).

Desirable Skills

• Experience managing complex rotas.
• Understanding of editorial workflows.
• Familiarity with payment systems (Concur SAP, Agresso).

Our benefits

The nature of our industry means life at 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.