Social Journalist

TheLADbible Group Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

TheLADbible Group Ltd in Manchester is seeking a Social Journalist to join the UNILAD editorial team. You will source, write and publish fast, trend-driven stories across the UNILAD site and social platforms.

You’ll monitor breaking news, develop exclusive angles, and craft headlines, captions and thumbnails to maximise engagement while upholding accuracy and editorial standards.

Qualifications

• Experience as a journalist or content creator in a digital publisher or newsroom.
• Proven ability to source, pitch and develop exclusive angles and lines.
• Strong writing, research and fact-checking in English with fast-turnaround skills.
• Excellent understanding of social platforms and audience signals.
• Ability to write clearly for breaking news, features and social formats.

Responsibilities

• Source, pitch, write and publish engaging stories for UNILAD’s site and social channels.
• Monitor breaking news and trends to identify viral moments early.
• Cover live news quickly and accurately with original angles.
• Develop exclusive lines, interviews, explainers and features.
• Own the publishing journey from research to headlines, captions and social packaging.
• Publish content across Facebook, Instagram, X and other platforms.
• Create platform-native content when needed and optimize for traffic.
• Work with editors and social teams to ensure accuracy and trust.

Skills

Journalism

Social publishing

Trend spotting

Headline writing

SEO basics

Analytics literacy

Tools

Google Analytics

NewsWhip

Chartbeat

Trends

Job description

We are looking for a Social Journalist to join the UNILAD editorial team in Manchester.

This is a hybrid journalism and social publishing role for someone who lives and breathes US viral news and pop culture, can spot trends before anyone else and knows how to turn a strong story into content that performs across different platforms. You will source, pitch, write, package and publish content across the UNILAD website and social channels. You will cover breaking news at speed, while also developing original angles, exclusive lines, interviews, explainers, features and repeatable social-first formats. You will take ownership of the full publishing journey, from identifying the story and writing the article to creating effective headlines, captions, thumbnails and social treatments. You will also use audience data to improve performance and identify follow-up opportunities.

What the Opportunity Looks Like

• Source, pitch, write and publish engaging stories for UNILAD’s website and social platforms.
• Monitor breaking news, social platforms, fan communities, forums and Google Trends to identify emerging stories and viral moments.
• Cover live and breaking news quickly, accurately and confidently.
• Develop original journalism, including exclusive lines, interviews, explainers, features, first‑person stories and distinctive follow‑up angles.
• Take ownership of stories from initial research through to writing, publishing, social packaging and optimisation.
• Create compelling headlines, captions, thumbnails and visual treatments that drive engagement and referral traffic without compromising accuracy or trust.
• Package and publish content across Facebook, Instagram, X and other relevant platforms.
• Create social-first and platform-native content where an article is not the best format.
• Contribute to daily publishing plans shaped by live news agenda, trending topics, original stories and performance data.
• Support coverage of major cultural events and awards shows.
• Develop repeatable formats including rankings, debates, explainers.
• Use audience data and social insights to identify what is working and inform future coverage.
• Optimise content for social referral, search, Google Discover and other relevant traffic sources.
• Work closely with editors, journalists, social teams, channel managers and video teams to create content that can travel across multiple platforms.
• Maintain UNILAD’s tone of voice and editorial standards, ensuring all content is accurate, legally sound and properly sourced.
• Contribute proactively to team meetings, forward planning and coverage around major events.
• Experience working as a journalist, social journalist, audience journalist or content creator in a digital publisher, newsroom or fast‑paced media environment.
• Passionate about UK and US news, pop culture, and viral trends.
• A sharp instinct for the stories, personalities, debates and cultural moments sports fans care about.
• Proven ability to source and pitch strong ideas, including original angles and exclusive lines.
• Excellent writing, research and fact‑checking skills, with a high standard of written English.
• The ability to write quickly and accurately across breaking news, trending stories, features and social formats.
• A strong understanding of Facebook, Instagram and X, with awareness of TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, WhatsApp and emerging platforms.
• Strong headline, caption and visual packaging skills.
• An understanding of SEO, Google Trends and search audience behaviour, or the ability to develop these skills quickly.
• Understanding of analytics tools such as Google Analytics, NewsWhip, Chartbeat, or Trends.
• Sound editorial judgement, including an understanding of accuracy, verification, copyright and media law.
• The ability to remain calm, organised and decisive during live and breaking news.
• A proactive, creative and collaborative approach.
• Flexibility to work across a seven‑day rota, including evenings and weekends when required.

What Success Looks Like

• UNILAD is faster, sharper and more distinctive on the stories its audience cares about.
• More stories originate from proactive sourcing, original ideas and exclusive journalism.
• Content is consistently packaged effectively for social, search and other platforms.
• Social output drives stronger engagement and referral traffic.
• UNILAD produces a strong balance of breaking news, trending content, original journalism and repeatable formats.
• The brand builds greater authority and audience habits across sports beyond football.

LADbible Group operates a blended working model, with colleagues working between home and our Manchester office. This role works across a seven‑day editorial rota and includes some evening and weekend shifts to support live sport and breaking news coverage.

Equal Opportunities

LADbible Group is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels comfortable being themselves and where different voices and perspectives are represented at every level of the business.