Deputy News Editor: Digital, Data-Driven Racing Coverage

Spotlight Sports Group; London; Hybrid; NOK 825,000 - 1,142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

25 days holiday

Season Ticket Loan

Cycle to Work Scheme

Racing Post Members Club access

Volunteer days

Job summary

Spotlight Sports Group is seeking a deputy news editor to lead the Racing Post’s digital-first news operation, working with the news editor and commissioning editors to deliver exclusive, industry-leading stories across platforms.

The role requires experience in a fast-paced digital newsroom, strong editorial judgment, and the ability to manage reporters while developing innovative formats and data-led journalism.

Qualifications

• Experience of commissioning and editing news in a fast-paced digital newsroom.
• Excellent news judgement and the confidence to make rapid editorial decisions under pressure.
• A strong understanding of digital publishing, audience behaviour and the formats that drive reach, engagement and subscriptions.
• Ability to provide clear, constructive feedback and raise standards across a reporting team.
• Confidence using audience data and analytics to inform commissioning and coverage decisions.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to work to and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels with colleagues, contributors, contacts and stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of media law, editorial compliance and journalistic ethics.
• Strong interest in horseracing and at least a working knowledge of the sport and the betting industry.
• Experience of managing, coaching or developing journalists is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Regularly act as duty news editor, running the reporting team and delivering high-quality stories and content packages.
• Assist in developing and fostering a creative environment in which reporters are inspired to produce distinctive, varied and impactful stories.
• Help evolve and deliver the digital-first news strategy, including the use of live blogs, explainers, timelines, Q&As, data-led journalism, video and other formats appropriate to the story.
• Work closely with audience, social, video and graphics teams to maximise the reach, impact and presentation of news coverage.
• Use audience data and editorial judgement to assess performance, identify opportunities and improve future commissioning.
• Ensure major breaking stories are covered quickly and followed through with analysis, reaction, explainers and premium depth, in line with the Racing Post's free/premium strategy.
• Line manage members of the reporting team and play an active role in raising standards of excellence, embedding new formats and providing feedback.
• Represent the news desk at editorial conferences and contribute to wider content team planning and strategy.
• Support the planning of news coverage and special projects.

Skills

News editing

Commissioning

Digital publishing

Audience analytics

Line management

Editorial judgment

Media ethics

Job description

Spotlight Sports Group is seeking a deputy news editor to lead the Racing Post’s digital-first news operation, working with the news editor and commissioning editors to deliver exclusive, industry-leading stories across platforms.

The role requires experience in a fast-paced digital newsroom, strong editorial judgment, and the ability to manage reporters while developing innovative formats and data-led journalism.