Reporter - Leigh Journal

Newsquest Media Group; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Birthday off

Holiday buy scheme

Structured career progression

Pension plan

Employee Helpline

Perks & discounts

Team building days

Volunteer charity day

Job summary

The Leigh Journal, part of Newsquest, is seeking an ambitious reporter to join our Warrington-based newsroom. You will cover breaking news, local politics, crime and human-interest stories across Leigh and surrounding communities, delivering engaging content for digital platforms.

You will also develop exclusive stories, build local contacts, and optimise stories for online audiences with SEO, while contributing to print editions when needed.

Qualifications

• NCTJ qualification or working towards it.
• Passionate about digital journalism and local news.
• Excellent news judgement and strong writing.
• Ability to manage workload and meet deadlines.
• Experience with social media reporting and audience engagement.
• Knowledge of media law and journalistic ethics.
• Willing to work flexible hours including evenings/weekends.
• Full driving licence desirable.

Responsibilities

• Cover breaking news and produce content for digital audiences.
• Generate exclusive stories and features about Leigh and the surrounding area.
• Build relationships with local contacts, organisations and communities.
• Identify stories via social media and on-the-ground reporting.
• Produce content in formats including live blogs, news reports, features and multimedia.
• Optimise content for online audiences with SEO best practices.
• Contribute to print editions when required.
• Work with editors and fellow reporters to develop original journalism.

Skills

News judgement

Digital journalism

Story finding

Deadline-driven

Social media reporting

Media law knowledge

Ethics in journalism

Strong writing

SEO comprehension

Flexibility

Education

NCTJ qualification

Job description

Are you a talented journalist with a passion for digital storytelling and a knack for finding the stories that matter most to local communities?

Application Deadline: 17 September 2026

Department: Editorial

Location: Warrington

The Leigh Journal is looking for an ambitious and digitally skilled reporter to join our award-winning newsroom based in Warrington. This is an exciting opportunity to cover one of Greater Manchester's most vibrant and fast-moving patches while helping to shape the future of trusted local journalism.

You'll be responsible for delivering engaging content across our digital platforms, covering everything from breaking news and local politics to crime, community campaigns, human interest features and the issues that matter most to readers in Leigh.

At Newsquest, we're investing in trusted local journalism and giving reporters the tools they need to make an impact. You'll join a supportive newsroom environment with opportunities to develop your skills, grow your career and tell the stories that matter most to local people.

This hybrid role combines time in our Warrington newsroom, reporting across Leigh and the surrounding communities, and flexible home working.

Key Responsibilities

• Covering breaking news and producing accurate, engaging content for digital audiences.
• Generating exclusive stories and features that reflect life in Leigh and the surrounding area.
• Building strong relationships with local contacts, organisations and communities.
• Identifying stories through social media, audience engagement and on-the-ground reporting.
• Producing content in a variety of formats, including live blogs, news reports, features and multimedia.
• Creating content that is optimised for online audiences through SEO best practices.
• Contributing to print editions where required.
• Working closely with editors and fellow reporters to develop original journalism that makes a difference.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• NCTJ-qualified (or working towards qualification) with excellent news judgement.
• Passionate about digital journalism and local news.
• A confident self-starter who can manage their own workload and diary.
• Skilled at finding stories and developing contacts.
• Comfortable working under pressure and meeting deadlines.
• Experienced in using social media as a reporting tool.
• Knowledgeable about media law and journalistic ethics.
• An excellent writer with strong attention to detail.
• Familiar with SEO and audience-focused digital publishing.
• Willing to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are desirable.

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