Deputy Head of Digital News

The Telegraph needs a brilliant editor to help lead the News department’s drive for digital subscriptions.

The Deputy Head of Digital News will use news sense and insight to shape the commissioning of agenda-setting and subscription-driving content, ensure the publishing of our news articles is digitally innovative and to the highest standard and ensure all news content is distributed to the right audience and optimised for that audience.

This is a varied and fast-paced role at the heart of the newsroom - requiring quick decision-making, the ability to write sharp, compelling headlines and a keen eye for pictures and video.

Key responsibilities

Helping to ensure The Telegraph’s news output is planned and published to the highest possible standard for our digital audience
Taking charge of the digital newsdesk in the absence of the department head, plus during regular evening and weekend shifts, as required on rota
Working with the home news and foreign editors to help commission and optimise subscription-driving digital content
Devising creative ways to tell news stories to online audiences
Liaising with other departments including video, graphics, design, SEO and social media to ensure news stories are optimised for online
Reacting to breaking news swiftly, making quick decisions about the best way to handle a story digitally
Overseeing live blogs to keep our readers abreast of all the latest developments
Attending conference and planning meetings on behalf of the desk, presenting plans to senior editorial staff
Co-ordinating digital plans for major upcoming news events
Using analytics to understand our online audience and inform publishing decisions
Being the newsdesk’s main point of contact with the homepage, social, SEO, and digital publishing teams, when required
Helping the head of department to manage and develop the digital news team

Key skills

Essential

Experience of digital editing in a national newsroom
Experience planning coverage of future news events
Ability to write and edit articles clearly, concisely and to house style
Understanding of SEO and social media
Ability to work quickly to meet deadlines
Creativity regarding original ways to tell stories

Experience of commissioning digital content
Ability to build relationships at all levels of the newsroom
Excellent news sense and current affairs knowledge
Full knowledge of media law
Ability to write compelling digital headlines
A keen eye for compelling pictures and video

Desirable

Strong understanding of newsroom data and analytics
Familiarity with Chartbeat and headline testing
Understanding of the Telegraph’s core audience