Deputy Editor (Sports and Society)

Salary: $70,000

Hours: Full time or part-time

About The Conversation

With headquarters in Melbourne, The Conversation Australia and New Zealand is the world's leading digital publisher of research-based news and analysis. Our model is a unique collaboration between academics and journalists. We produce easy-to-read articles based on proven expertise. It’s our mission to spread knowledge and inform decisions.

The Role

The Deputy Editor - Sports and Society is responsible for working with academics to find out about the latest thinking and research in sport and its related areas, as well as the general round of society.

Sport articles at The Conversation do not focus on sports results, but rather aspects of sport that academic research can inform and analyse. This includes articles on the intersection of sport and politics, sport and business , sport and health, gender, culture and sports science.

The society round covers many topics such as the courts, media and societal trends, which will be covered in conjunction with the Politics and Society Editor. The Deputy Editor, Sport and Society, will predominantly commission, edit and publish text-based articles.

The Deputy Editor, Sport and Society, will need to be a voracious reader who is well informed about developments in their field and passionate about developing new ideas.

The Conversation is a trusted journalism brand. Deputy editors need to protect its hard won credibility. They must be thoughtful, calm, methodical, rigorous and possess a deep commitment to professional impartiality and high ethical standards.

Key Responsibilities include:

Responsibility 1 – Develop story ideas and commission and edit articles based on developments, trends and happenings in sport as well as the general society round, reporting to the Politics and Society Editor
Responsibility 2 - Watch major sporting events and commission academics to analyse the wider ramifications and important trends. Lead coverage on big sporting events such as the Olympics and World Cup
Responsibility 3 - respond to pitches from sport and society academics
Responsibility 4 - promote your content on social media and other channels
Responsibility 5 - represent The Conversation at events and promote the work of The Conversation to potential academic authors

Essential skills:

Essential experience

Journalism experience
Experience in sports journalism

Essential qualities

Highly developed written and verbal communication skills
Ability to develop interesting and relatable story ideas
An interest in sport and keeping up with the developments in sport, and willingness to work weekends during major tournaments
Passionate about sport’s place in society and wider implications, rather than just who won at the weekend
Diplomacy and the ability to create and manage positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Courteous, kind and respectful
Highly developed research and analytical skills
Polished presentation
Care and attention to detail
Friendly and collegiate, in line with our newsroom culture

How to apply for this job

Applications should be sent to work@theconversation.edu.au

Closing date for applications 10th January 2024