Digital audience and content editor

The Hexham Courant is seeking a talented digital audience and content editor (ACE).

We want an exceptional digital journalist to lead our fantastic team of reporters in Hexham and support our ACEs in offices across Cumbria.

We want someone brimming with ideas to lead and inspire our journalists. You will be working from our offices in Hexham and Cumbria in incredible areas to cover a variety of breaking news and in-depth journalism. There is always something newsworthy to report and you will continue our long history of holding the authorities to account and running stories on subjects ranging from the NHS, housing and a rich list of other subjects which remain important to our loyal readers.

The ideal candidate is expected to play a key part in developing the editorial direction and content of the title and its website and undertake the following.

• To champion what is already a digital-first mentality in the newsroom
• To play a key role in the training of reporters, making sure they are armed with all the skills to achieve their page view targets
• Run the newslist, ensuring a steady flow of copy and pictures, and a good content mix for all platforms we publish on, including social media
• Monitor stories being filed by reporters, making sure they are presented to the highest standard online
• Run daily reporter meetings to give direction and guidance to reporters regarding their stories
• Coach and guide reporters to help them source off-diary exclusives
• Run a daily web publishing schedule with thought to content mix and audience spikes, including at weekends, adhering to company best practice
• Run a daily social media publishing schedule with thought to content mix and audience spikes, also including at weekends, adhering to company best practice
• Pitch stories to the editor for the daily schedules
• Continue to grow our huge number of loyal readers by analysing what they read and when
• Understand our social and web audience and how it differs from our print audience
• Look after the website homepage, using analytics to decide what should go where
• Help devise a content strategy to drive page views and digital subscriptions
• Lead the digital subscriptions strategy in conjunction with the editor
• Play a part in sending out daily newsletters to drive digital subscriptions
• To organise news coverage and manage a team of reporters, including running the daily news diary to ensure news coverage seven days a week
• Monitor and use audience analytics, mainly Parsely and other new tools as required
• Manage the uploading of stories to the web and the addition of digital elements to help drive traffic
• Ensure reporters create good digital headlines that adhere to company SEO best practice
• Attend regular training sessions and ensure important information is passed to newsrooms
• Be familiar with digital tools and techniques, from sending out breaking news alerts to posting in certain Facebook groups to boost the reach of articles
• Be available to work weekends, evenings, public holidays and any other shift if necessary
• Have a sound and up-to-date knowledge of media law
• Liaise with and support other departments including advertising, newspaper sales and marketing and any others with content and projects when necessary
• Understand and abide by the IPSO Code of Practice

Please send your CV and cover letter by clicking Apply Now by the closing date of 3 January 2025

The company

Newsquest is a media company with a difference.

We are committed to bringing a voice to your region by investing in a passionate team of journalists who proudly serve their communities by sharing authoritative news that readers trust.

As well as dedicated sales teams which provide local businesses with highly responsive digital advertising and marketing solutions.

Newsquest Media Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all community sections regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Our recruitment process will consist of various stages and activities, as part of our commitment to fairness to all applicants, we will consider any adjustments that could help you.