Trends Writer - South East

We have a fantastic opportunity for a creative and dynamic Trends Writer to join our successful team working across all of our South East sites including: BerkshireLive, CambridgeshireLive, SurreyLive, KentLive, SussexLive, EssexLive, HertsLive, BedfordshireLive, HampshireLive, NorfolkLive, SuffolkLive, OxfordshireLive and BuckinghamshireLive.

Covering the South East, we're looking for someone who enjoys the buzz of coming up with fresh ideas that they just know are going to dominate search and trends.

We're searching for someone with passion for their craft, who wants to write excellent content that will really resonate with our readers. The Trends Writer will spot opportunities to develop topics and tap into massive audiences. From an in-depth knowledge of our TV stars to everything you need to know about Brighton Pride, you'll need to have sharp eyes across what people are talking about.

Our news teams in the South East specialise in brilliant, detailed, ambitious and entertaining storytelling. Our journalists love writing in-depth investigative pieces that we know our audience will engage with and remember the brand for, as well as more-light hearted stories to bring a smile to your face in these trying times.

We're looking for fresh ideas and new perspectives from people from a wide range of backgrounds, and we want you to tell us the stories you believe are important from our many communities so we can continue to diversify our content.

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 Liverpool Echo, BirminghamLive 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 role is home based however due to the nature of the role, you will need to be based in or around the South East.

What will the role involve?

• You will be a key member of the Trends team, forward planning and reacting quickly to news
• You will create brilliant trending content that engages our audience
• You will build and develop an excellent understanding of high-performing stories for search
• You will know which content is working well on social media, what people are talking about and how we can adapt that for our sites

Who are we looking for?

• NCTJ or equivalent journalism degree and knowledge of media law
• You will have knowledge of media law and IPSO code of practice
• Willingness to work shifts in accordance with trends
• Will have an understanding of how to find and write excellent content, using tools such as Google Trends and Chartbeat
• You will have social media and SEO experience

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 assistance programme for you and your nearest and dearest, a free subscription to mindfulness app Headspace and access to free mental health coaching through Sanctus
• 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.