Reach plc is seeking an experienced Live News Reporter to join its dynamic Live News Network, creating fast-paced, high-impact live news coverage for national and regional brands including the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, Daily Star, Manchester Evening News, and MyLondon. You will report breaking news, craft multimedia stories, and adapt content across platforms while working in a hybrid environment across UK hubs.
What You'll Do
- Monitor news wires, social media, and other sources to identify breaking stories and emerging trends aligned with audience priorities and editorial tone.
- Report clear, engaging, and accurate articles at speed and to deadline, primarily for a single national or regional brand.
- Apply a deep understanding of the brand's editorial voice and audience while remaining flexible to cover other titles when required.
- Work closely with editors and reporters to shape brand-relevant, audience-focused coverage.
- Prioritise the news agenda and align centrally produced live output with audience data.
- Communicate progress and responsibilities promptly.
- Weave in multimedia elements such as images, video, and social media embeds to enhance storytelling.
- Consider audio and video opportunities on every story.
- Capture or curate basic footage where useful to engage audiences.
- Contribute to the planning and delivery of major news events and special projects.
- Stay informed on current affairs and maintain awareness of the news landscape relevant to Reach’s national and regional brands.
- Tailor content for off-platform channels to broaden reach and engagement.
- Uphold editorial standards across all content.
- Use approved AI tools in line with company policies to optimise content creation, improve accuracy and efficiency, and deliver audience-resonant articles.
- Craft engaging affiliate content that aligns with brand guidelines, driving traffic to partner sites and generating revenue through affiliate strategies.
What We're Looking For
- Experienced NCTJ qualified reporter
- Up-to-date knowledge of UK media law
- Excellent news judgement and strong instinct for audience engagement
- Versatile writing skills with ability to adapt tone and structure across formats
- Effective cross-functional collaborator and communicator
- Ability to thrive at pace and under pressure
- Ability to interpret audience data and respond to performance trends
- Strong familiarity with digital publishing tools and CMS platforms
- Sound grasp of media law and ethical journalism standards
- Proven operational experience in a fast-paced news team
- Full driving licence
- Access to a vehicle where possible to be first on the scene
Nice to Have
- 100 wpm shorthand (or working towards it)
Technical Stack
- CMS platforms
- AI tools (approved by company)
- Digital publishing tools
Team & Environment
Part of the Live News Network, working across national and regional brands
Benefits & Compensation
- 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays
- Extra day of holiday after three, five, and ten years of service
- Scheme to buy extra holiday
- Extra day's paid leave each year to volunteer
- Big Moment Day: an extra day’s paid leave for personal milestones (e.g., marriage, moving house, new family member)
- Bonus scheme providing a stake in company success
- Company pension contributions matched up to 6% with salary sacrifice option
- Healthcare cash plan covering medical expenses and fast access to doctor appointments
- Car lease scheme for electric or hybrid vehicles via salary sacrifice
- 24/7 wellbeing assistance programme for employee and family
- Access to discounts including 15% off on Yimbly (Reach's online marketplace)
- Interest-free loans for season tickets and technology
Bonus scheme
Work Mode
- Hybrid working across London, Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow, Hull, Liverpool, Newcastle
- Shift patterns include days and evenings (7am–3pm, 10am–6pm, 3pm–11pm)
- One weekend every three weeks
- One week of evenings (3pm–11pm) every three weeks
We are committed to a recruitment process that is fair and welcoming to all, without discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.
