Acting Deputy Soaps Editor (Maternity Cover)

At Hearst UK, there’s always more to the story. Join us as our new Acting Deputy Soaps Editor on Digital Spy to start the next chapter in your career. Reporting to the Soaps Editor, you will source and write features and news stories on all areas of Soaps. You'll be covering the latest dramatic 'duff-duff' cliffhangers in EastEnders, village scandals in Hollyoaks, the weekly catastrophes in Casualty and everything in between.

Digital Spy, the UK’s biggest TV and movies website, is looking for a bright, hardworking Soaps obsessive to join its team of dedicated superfans. The Deputy Soaps Editor will help to run the best and busiest Soaps desk in UK media, the country’s most authoritative and enjoyable source for popular entertainment news.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Source and write exclusive news stories about Soaps.
Guided by official soap storyline documents and episode screeners, predict audience interest in upcoming storylines and generate Soaps news stories and features that respond to that demand in advance.
Work with the news department to help steer Digital Spy's overall coverage of Soaps, ensuring it upholds Digital Spy’s rigorous standards of accuracy and even-handedness'.
Work with the Social and Video teams in producing 'Soap Scoop', Digital Spy's weekly video franchise
Create, update and plan e-commerce content related to entertainment and Soaps
Work alongside the TV, Movies and Soaps editors to cover every area of entertainment.
Work alongside the Soaps Editor and Social Media team to formulate and enact a strong, smart and engaging social strategy for the Soaps section.
Plan and implement long-term search wins within the field of Soaps.
Keep abreast of the changing Soaps landscape day by day.
Attend and report on relevant and appropriate Soaps events such as set visits, press screenings and award ceremonies (Occasionally this will involve weekend/unsociable hours).
Source and conduct interviews with cast members and producers from the Soap world, with an aim to providing exclusive stories and features for Digital Spy.
Maintain good contacts with Soaps publicists and the wider industry.
Appear on radio, TV and social media broadcasts where necessary.
Analyse and report on DS audience data for Soaps to Editor and wider team, and respond to it.
Deputise for the Soaps Editor in their absence
To attend regular meetings for planning, strategy, and statistical reports across Digital Spy and Hearst UK.

About You

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic digital Soaps journalist with a well-stuffed contacts book wanting to take a step up. You will be highly organised and have an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things Soaps. You will have a profound understanding of the specific requirements of digital media. You will also be a witty and stylish writer, a data hound driven by analytics and a creative thinker capable of generating a constant stream of ideas.

What We Offer

At Hearst UK, you can choose from a huge range of perks and benefits that can help you learn well, work well and live well including:

25 days’ holiday (with the option to buy up to 5 additional holiday days) - pro rated for part-time or fixed-term employees
Hybrid working – Three days per week in the office
Discounted gym membership
Healthcare cash plan
Spend a charity day with your favourite good cause
Life assurance and pension scheme
Regular socials and more!

There’s more to your story than you imagine. And the next chapter begins right here.