Reporter - Watford Observer

Newsquest Media Group; Watford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Birthday off

Holiday buy scheme

Career progression

Pension plan

Employee helpline

Perks and discounts

Gym membership

Cycle to work

Eye care

Retail discounts

Team building days

Volunteer day

Job summary

The Watford Observer is seeking a talented Reporter to join its busy newsroom in Watford, covering one of Hertfordshire's most diverse patches. You'll find and break stories, report on major news, courts, and community issues, and create engaging digital content across platforms.

Working with an experienced team, you'll use multimedia storytelling, video, and live blogs, build local contacts, and use AI-assisted tools to research and publish quickly while upholding the Editors' Code.

Qualifications

• NCTJ Diploma or equivalent qualification.
• Excellent writing, interviewing and news gathering skills.
• Strong news sense and ability to identify stories that matter to local audiences.
• Good understanding of media law and the Editors' Code of Conduct.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Strong digital journalism skills, including live reporting and social media.
• Comfortable using digital tools and technology to enhance content creation.
• A proactive and self-motivated approach to newsgathering.

Responsibilities

• Source and deliver exclusive stories, breaking news and engaging local content.
• Cover news as it happens through live blogs and fast-moving digital coverage.
• Build and maintain a strong network of contacts across the Watford area.
• Create engaging content that grows audience reach and reader engagement.
• Ensure all content meets the highest standards of accuracy, media law and the Editors' Code of Conduct.
• Use newsroom technology and AI-assisted tools to support efficient content creation.
• Use multimedia storytelling techniques including filming video and presenting to camera.
• Upload, publish and manage content across digital platforms.
• Monitor audience performance and use data to help inform content decisions.
• Meet page view and audience growth targets.

Skills

Writing

Interviewing

News gathering

News sense

Media law

Working under pressure

Digital journalism

Social media

Proactive news gathering

Education

NCTJ Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description The Watford Observer is looking for a talented Reporter to join its newsroom, covering one of the busiest and most diverse patches in Hertfordshire.

Application Deadline 30 September 2026

Department Editorial

Location Watford - London

Description The Watford Observer is looking for a talented Reporter to join its newsroom, covering one of the busiest and most diverse patches in Hertfordshire.
You'll be responsible for finding and breaking stories that matter to local communities, covering everything from major news and court cases to community issues and entertainment. Working as part of an experienced editorial team, you'll create engaging digital content, build strong local contacts and help grow our audience across multiple platforms.
Alongside traditional reporting, you'll use modern newsroom tools, including AI-assisted technology, to help research, organise and produce content more efficiently while applying your own journalistic expertise and news judgement.
You will be required to use multimedia storytelling techniques, including filming video and presenting to camera
This role is part of a rota covering early and late shifts as well as weekends.

Key Responsibilities

• Source and deliver exclusive stories, breaking news and engaging local content
• Cover news as it happens through live blogs and fast-moving digital coverage
• Build and maintain a strong network of contacts across the Watford area
• Create engaging content that grows audience reach and reader engagement
• Ensure all content meets the highest standards of accuracy, media law and the Editors' Code of Conduct
• Use newsroom technology and AI-assisted tools to support efficient content creation
• Use multimedia storytelling techniques including filming video and presenting to camera
• Upload, publish and manage content across digital platforms
• Monitor audience performance and use data to help inform content decisions
• Meet page view and audience growth targets
  

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• NCTJ Diploma or equivalent qualification
• Excellent writing, interviewing and news gathering skills
• Strong news sense and an ability to identify stories that matter to local audiences
• Good understanding of media law and the Editors' Code of Conduct
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Strong digital journalism skills, including live reporting and social media
• Comfortable using digital tools and technology to enhance content creation
• A proactive and self-motivated approach to newsgathering

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