Company Description

We’re looking for a What’s On & Affiliates Writer who loves sharing everything there is to know about where to eat, travel and spend free time in the West Midlands (and beyond). As part of our Life Team, you’ll work on a diverse content mix with considerable focus on TV and showbiz news and the latest shopping trends. You will also incorporate revenue generating affiliate links into your content, so we are looking for people who are particularly passionate about shopping.

BirminghamLive is one of the UK’s best, biggest and fastest-growing regional news websites. We are looking for journalists who believe journalism does its best when it’s read by as many people as possible. We want fresh ideas and new perspectives from people from a wide range of backgrounds. You will have access to ongoing training programmes and professional development opportunities designed to enhance your skills.

So, who are we?

We are Reach Plc, you might not have heard of us but we have probably met without you even realising it. We are home to the UK and Ireland’s most iconic digital platforms, magazines and newspapers. From the Mirror, Daily Express and OK!, to our regional titles such as the BirminghamLive, Liverpool Echo and the Manchester Evening News (plus lots more), our brands and the stories we cover are as varied as our people. We help all kinds of people share experiences through our stories because we believe this is what makes us human.

Oh, and we should probably also mention that with a monthly readership of 47 million people, Reach is the largest commercial publisher in the UK. At Reach, not only will you feel better understood, you will also feel you understand other people better too.

This is a maternity cover, fixed term contract role, initially for 12 months.

This role is home and hub based linked to our Birmingham Hub. We are therefore open to candidates based in and around Birmingham.

Job Description

What will the role involve?

You will source, write, publish and share engaging content focused on local events and shopping, acting as an ambassador for the BirminghamLive brand. You will utilise your SEO skills to ensure we have the right content to attract and grow our audience. You will generate high-standard content, incorporating pictures, video, audio, strong headlines while keeping SEO in mind.

You’ll stay on top of the latest shopping trends and will publish a high volume of stories at pace, helping to grow BirminghamLive’s affiliate revenue. You will use analytics to inform your content decisions, ensuring your work meets the business’s standards for quality, consistency, legal accuracy, and IPSO compliance. This role will involve working varying shifts on a rota basis, including some weekends and evenings so a flexible approach is required.

Qualifications

Who are we looking for?

You are an NCTJ or equivalent qualified journalist with an in depth knowledge of media law. You are a versatile and efficient writer who is eager to create content about trending products and events at pace that taps into the region’s biggest conversations. You’ll be comfortable putting yourself at the centre of the story, whether it’s writing about your experience of a day out, or testing the latest products and gadgets.

You have demonstrable experience writing similar content in a fast paced regional newsroom environment and have the ability to get out there in your patch, building your contacts book. You have a good understanding of social media platforms and how you can use them to push your content. You are a first class writer with a good understanding of affiliate content who can meet deadlines with ease. Due to the nature of the role, the ability to drive is desirable.

Additional Information

What can we offer you?

We are offering a competitive salary, and benefits including:

• Help saving for your retirement – join our pension scheme and we’ll match contributions up to 6%
• 25 days’ holiday per year when you join. After three, five and ten years’ service with Reach, you’ll accrue one additional day of annual leave. We also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Giving back day – an additional day’s leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
• Enhanced family leave – including maternity, paternity and adoption – and you’ll be eligible after just six months’ employment
• Private Healthcare Cash Plan – free health cash plan so you can claim back cash for a range of medical expenses
• As one of the UK’s top 50 Inclusive Employers everyone’s invited to join our events, programmes and networks to celebrate diversity and build an environment where all our people can thrive
• Wellbeing support – including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP) for you and your nearest and dearest
• Awesome career opportunities – you’ll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes
• We are also a member of the 30% Club, a global campaign aimed at increasing gender diversity at board and senior management levels

Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.