Head of Live Features

A senior member of the Telegraph team who can deputise for and support the Features Director.

This is a role for someone who can generate clever agenda-setting news feature ideas from both the news and lifestyle agenda, casting them brilliantly, pitching them in an effective manner to the editor, and seeing them through to publication - driving the features desk forward with energy, enthusiasm and an eye for detail throughout the day.

The role requires someone with good experience of national newspapers, with a flair for inspired features commissioning; someone who has a great contacts book of writers capable of everything from on the day pieces with short deadlines to in-depth reads with longer periods for research and reporting. Naturally, they must also have a deep understanding of the Telegraph audience.

Above all, the right candidate will be able to think digitally to ensure all ideas can be delivered online, across all platforms, in the most effective and imaginative way. They will be able to think and work beyond traditional print rhythms and layouts, understanding and exploiting the creative possibilities of digital publishing to attract new audiences and engage them.

Key responsibilities

Deliver thought-provoking feature ideas every day
Display an authoritative command of emerging themes, not just in features and lifestyle but also in politics and world affairs, in order to pitch essays and in-depth long reads, as well as interview subjects
Lead the features team to commission writers and ensure resulting copy is of the highest quality
Drive collaboration with digital production teams deploying imagination and organisation from the outset of commissions to ensure that each article has an online production plan that maximises its appeal
Stand in for the Features Director at editorial conferences as required, liaising confidently with the editor and other section editors, writers and experts across the newsroom and columnists.
Display excellent management skills, fostering a happy and harmonious working team.
Plan and organise, to ensure that major events are appropriately covered.
Engage with and respond to the subscription strategy of the Telegraph.

Key skills

Digital publishing drive: An understanding of how to pitch and publish features for a digital audience is essential.
Deputisation: Be able to deputise for the Features Director and make a positive contribution as part of the senior management team
Ideas: Have brilliant ideas which respond to - and have the capacity to lead - the news agenda on a daily basis. The candidate needs to display a deep understanding of the talking points and issues which matter to our readers and come up with clever ways of making them into compelling live news features.
Contacts: good relationships with high profile writers, publishers and agents to ensure they are able to access the best talent required to bring news features ideas to life.
Good communication: to be successful in this role, you will be an effective communicator, able to pitch ideas to the editor in features conferences in a confident and assured manner then relay them to the features desk to ensure writers are accurately commissioned and ultimately deliver on the brief.
Supportive management experience: previous experience working as a senior manager in a team, with a positive and helpful attitude towards team members is essential.
Forward thinking: have an ability to plan and think ahead to ensure the best coverage of future events

Benefits

The nature of our industry means life at the Telegraph Media Group is fast-paced, demanding, and interesting. We also want it to be rewarding for everyone who works here by creating a suite of benefits that contribute to lifestyle choices and leisure activities. From dynamic working opportunities, medical cover, and parental leave (six months fully paid maternity leave and enhanced paternity/partner leave), to life assurance and season ticket loans, you can choose from a range of flexible benefits, designed to support your lifestyle and help you achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Training and development

With support from your manager and colleagues, you’ll also have access to a variety of training and development opportunities through The Academy. Covering a range of personal and professional skills, our courses enable you to develop an enjoyable and rewarding career.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Telegraph Media Group, we foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and we are committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of skills, perspectives and backgrounds. We believe in equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer as part of the government’s Disability Confident Scheme. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition and would like support in applying for any of our roles or if you require any reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process with us, please make us aware.

To find out more about Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Telegraph Media Group, and for more information on our purpose, beliefs, and people values, please visit our website