Politics News Editor

ENGINEERINGUK; City Of London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading news organization in the City of London is seeking a Politics News Editor to oversee political news coverage and manage lobby reporters. Ideal candidates must have extensive experience in news editing, a passion for politics, and strong editorial skills. This role offers competitive benefits including dynamic working opportunities and a commitment to inclusion.

Benefits

Flexible benefits for lifestyle

Medical cover

Parental leave

Life assurance

Season ticket loans

Qualifications

• Proven track record on a news desk at a national newspaper or equivalent.
• Passionate and knowledgeable about politics.
• Experience with digital content, particularly live blogs or newsletters.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop main political news stories of the day.
• Manage lobby reporters and oversee exclusive news stories.
• Deliver high-quality copy under tight deadlines.

Skills

News desk experience

Strong news judgement

Passion for politics

Independent decision-making

Knowledge of media law

Relationship building

Digital content experience

Strong article editing

Organisational skills

Motivational skills

Job description

Role purpose and overview

The Politics News Editor is a senior member of the home news editing team. They will be primarily responsible for working with the lobby team to identify and develop the main news stories of the day, and to generate ideas for and oversee the delivery of exclusive news stories. They will feed in to the National News Editor and News Editor (Projects) and work closely with the Head of Breaking News. They will help to oversee politics live blogs and the politics newsletter. In this role they must form strong relationships with other news editors and the lobby team, manage lobby reporters, be passionate about politics, deliver copy to tight deadlines, make independent decisions and navigate legal issues.

Key responsibilities

• Identify the political stories of the day and develop new, agenda setting angles.
• Generate ideas for exclusive political news stories, and develop and deliver these ideas.
• Pitch ideas to the National News Editor and News Editor (Projects) and take action based on their feedback.
• Work with lobby reporters to deliver high quality copy under tight deadlines, including editing copy to promote the strongest news lines.
• Work closely with publishers to ensure the potential of stories is maximised.
• Manage lobby reporters.
• Help plan upcoming coverage of major events.
• Oversee political liveblogs and the politics newsletter.

Key skills

• A proven track record of working on a news desk at a national newspaper or equivalent is essential. Some experience of news editing is desirable.
• Very strong news judgement is essential.
• A passion for and extensive knowledge of politics is essential.
• An ability to make independent decisions is essential.
• Knowledge of media law and Ipso guidelines is essential.
• Able to form strong relationships with other news editors, reporters and publishers is essential.
• It is vital to embrace digital content and creative ways to tell news stories to an online audience. Previous experience in this area is desirable, particularly live blogs and/or newsletters.
• Strong ability to edit articles clearly, concisely and to house style is essential.
• Good organisational skills – able to keep multiple projects on track and stakeholders up to date – are essential.
• An ability to motivate others to work to high standards under pressure is essential.
• An ability to address potential conflicts which have an impact on delivery targets and respond to shifting priorities is essential.
• They must be a skilled and persuasive communicator.
• Management experience is desirable.

Our benefits

The nature of our industry means life at the Telegraph Media Group is fast‑paced, demanding and interesting. We offer a suite of benefits that support 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 are committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of skills, perspectives and backgrounds. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are proud to be a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader. If you require support or reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process, please let us know.

We are an equal opportunities employer, hiring solely on merit and business need. We encourage applications regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood or disability. If you require reasonable adjustments in any recruitment process with us, please make us aware.