Local Democracy Reporter - Manchester

We need an enthusiastic senior journalist passionate about politics and how it affects communities to join the Manchester Evening News, covering council politics as part of the Local Democracy Reporting scheme.

You will be part of one of the country's best regional newsrooms and play a key role in this high-profile scheme backed by the BBC. A good understanding of local government and a track record of delivering great ideas are essential.

We are Reach because it's what we do.

Every day our newsbrands - national and regional, in print and online - reach millions of people up and down the country. We are the UK's largest news publisher, with influential national newsbrands such as the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, Sunday People, Daily Record, and more than 100 distinguished regional titles.

Our brands have a long heritage of being trusted sources of news and information, with our editorial conviction and high standards of journalism providing audiences with timely information and opinion across multiple platforms.

Last year we sold 620 million newspapers, with 5 million readers of one of our brands each month. Our network of over 70 websites provide 24/7 coverage of news, sport and showbiz stories, with 8 billion page views per year.

You will be a senior journalist based at the Manchester Evening News working with its award-winning team of digital and print journalists. You will be responsible for covering the business of Trafford Council, working alongside the newsdesk and other specialist reporters. As well as your stories appearing online and in print, they will also be accessible to the BBC and other publications and broadcasters throughout the region, bringing a huge potential audience to your work.

We need an experienced reporter with a good knowledge of social media and the way it can be used to drive audience and engagement is important too. We are ideally seeking candidates qualified to senior standard or equivalent with two years experience.

You will be a committed reporter with experience of working to tight deadlines alongside a shorthand proficiency of 100wpm.

About the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

This scheme is designed to increase coverage and scrutiny of councils across the UK.

Funded by the BBC and run by media publishers, these reporters provide in-depth coverage of our local authorities which will feature on websites, newspapers and broadcasts across their region.

In addition to competitive salaries, 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), bonus structures (if applicable) and a contributory pension scheme, Reach plc have a wealth of flexible benefits on offer. These include holiday purchase scheme, childcare vouchers, cycle scheme, a technology scheme in conjunction with Curry's PC World, car scheme, health cash plan, employee loans and lots of high street discounts. Our business is fully committed to health and wellbeing in the workplace with an employee assistance programme and trained mental health first aiders across the business.

Reach plc believe 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. We will be reviewing applications as they are received so please don't delay in submitting your application.