Data Journalist

Keen to pursue a career in journalism?

Interested in using data to spot trends in how towns and the countryside are planned and developed?

Able to pinpoint the key information in complex documents, and to summarise them simply and accurately?

If so, this could be an opportunity for you.

Town planning is a profession in which politics, the environment and business intersect.

Planning magazine has been covering the sector for more than 50 years, and is now looking for a data journalist.

Reporting to the Insight Editor, the successful candidate will help us expand our data-led news, reports and tracker services.

Candidates must have experience of using data research to tell a story or make an argument, and an appetite for developing data journalism skills through on-the-job training.

An ability to make complex issues accessible through clearly structured and accurate reporting and data visualisation is essential.

Existing understanding of planning, the built environment or local government would also be useful, as would a journalistic qualification or experience.

But none of these will be as important to the role as curiosity and a commitment to becoming knowledgeable about the subject matter.

Planning’s team of eight produces a website, several daily and weekly bulletins and monthly special reports, circulating to more than 9000 paying subscribers.

Planning is part of Haymarket Business Media. This role will be based at our offices in Twickenham, but with the flexibility to work two days per week at the location of your choice.

Key Responsibilities

writing data-led news and longer reports
devising and compiling surveys to gather data for in-depth reports
monitoring key datasets for new releases, and using them to generate news stories and update Planning’s data dashboards
trawling online sources for updates on planning activity to maintain Planning’s various tracker services
exploring data to extract the key intelligence for planning professionals
briefing designers on data-led news and reports

Person specification

some experience of using data research to identify trends, tell a story or make an argument
experience in using spreadsheets to sort and investigate data
data journalism skills, or an appetite for developing them through on-the-job training
first-class skills in writing simply and clearly
a keen eye for detail and accuracy
good organisational skills, with the ability to juggle deadlines and priorities
ability to use your own initiative and motivate yourself to achieve excellent results
curiosity about the planning sector

Why work with us?

Haymarket Media Group values its people and strives to shape a better future with remarkable content. From paid content and subscription services; to integrated advertising and content marketing packages. We deliver market-leading branded experiences that inspire great decisions. From data and digital information solutions to live events, awards and professional education services.

Our benefits include:

25 days holiday per year excluding bank holidays (increasing 1 day per year of service up to 30 days)
Work from anywhere in the world for up to 3 weeks of the year with our ‘Work from Anywhere’ days
Flexible working hours (core hours from 10-3) allowing you the flexibility to adapt your work schedule to your personal commitments
Generous contributory pension scheme
Health Cash Plans: With our health cash plans, you can access a range of healthcare benefits, including coverage for medical expenses, dental care, optical services, and more

More About Working For Haymarket

Putting social and environmental responsibility at the forefront of our business we have aligned our current sustainability goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As we serve our audiences, clients and communities, we are committed to driving the meaningful change necessary to build a better world. The principles of diversity, inclusion, respect, responsibility and sustainability are at the heart of our business.

We want to support our people to balance their personal and professional lives and we believe our range of benefits encourages this. Nothing beats face-time with our colleagues to promote creativity and collaboration, we’ve therefore adopted a blended working model where full time employees can expect to spend 3 days of their week in the office and the other 2 working at a location of their choice.

Haymarket is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring that all candidates are given the same opportunity to succeed regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, age or disability.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to enable you to fully participate in the recruitment process, please contact us at recruitment@haymarket.com.

Come and join us and see for yourself how Haymarket is a rewarding and exciting place to work.