Assistant News Editor

Annual Salary - up to $76,000 + excellent company benefits
Location - California (Remote)

We’re on the hunt for a creative, driven Assistant News Editor to join our growing US newsroom. If you thrive on breaking stories, love crafting standout digital journalism, and enjoy collaborating across teams, we’d like to hear from you. 

This role will be working from California on evening shifts. You will be required to be flexible around weekend shifts on a rolling rota basis.

About this role

Reporting to the News Editor, you’ll work with a dynamic team of editors, reporters, and social pros. You’ll take the lead in identifying and developing breaking news and feature stories to produce quality and exclusive content for all three of our major titles: the Mirror US, Express US and the Irish Star.

You will be alert to breaking news, assigning stories to writers, and paying attention to the finer details to edit their work to the highest standard. Using sound editorial judgment, you will know when stories require legal advice and make the necessary changes. 

Using analytics tools, you will learn and show a willingness to drive traffic and story count numbers, as well as communicate effectively with other departments such as SEO and Social.

Setting the standard for excellence in the newsroom through professionalism, enthusiasm, and collaboration, you’ll also conduct interviews, build strong source relationships, and stay ahead of trends by monitoring competitors and social media. 

So, who are we?

Reach Plc is the UK’s largest commercial news publisher. We’re home to more than 130 trusted brands, from national titles like the Mirror, Express, Daily Record and Daily Star, to local brands like MyLondon, BelfastLive and the Manchester Evening News.

Since the start of 2023, we have been building out our US operation, headquartered in New York. We’ve launched three standalone brands in the Mirror US, Express US and the Irish Star, covering news, sport, entertainment, politics and lifestyle - all targeted at US audiences.   

We are looking to add ambitious and dynamic talent to our teams, so if you enjoy a rapid pace, a lively newsroom, a flat structure and the opportunity to work in a scale-up environment backed by the resources of a large organization, Reach Plc could be perfect for you!

What you'll need to succeed

You’ll be a dynamic newsroom leader with proven experience in national or major regional journalism. Skilled at working independently, you’ll bring unique ideas to craft compelling and creative stories, and perform under pressure while upholding the highest journalistic standards. You’ll use data-driven insights to shape content, edit with speed and accuracy, and engage diverse audiences across digital platforms. Strong interviewing, investigative, and communication skills are essential, along with a solid understanding of media law, SEO, and digital publishing tools. A degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field is required.

You will be able to forward plan, thinking beyond the shift you're working, looking at rotas and content plans, as well as juggling breaking news during a shift.

This role calls for sharp editorial judgment, creativity, and the ability to shape stories that inform, inspire, and resonate with audiences. You must feel comfortable editing reporters, providing them constructive feedback, and taking ownership of any issues in the team. You must be able to  work flexibly, as this role involves shift work that includes evenings and weekends

How we'll look after you

We take good care of our people - and that means more than just a pay packet. Whatever your role, you'll get a range of benefits, including:

• 25 days of paid time off on an accrual basis per year (15 days PTO plus 10 statutory holidays) and 5 sick days - if you work on a statutory holiday you will receive a day in lieu

• 401k - Up to 3.5% employer contribution depending on your contribution

• Personal Medical Insurance

• Paid Leave for Maternity/Paternity/Adoption/ Caregiver/ Medical Leave

• Employee Discounts - Save on hotels, concerts, sport events and more!

• Access to FinFit via Paychex our HR system: Reduce financial stress with access to instant credit upon approval, tools to manage your money, and free financial counselling

• As an Inclusive Employer everyone’s invited to join our events, programmes and networks to celebrate diversity and build an environment where all our people can thrive

• Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP), dedicated Personal Assistants and Wellness programs

• Awesome career opportunities - you’ll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested please apply early to avoid disappointment.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

If you’re excited about this role but don’t tick every single box, please don’t let that stop you from applying.

We know that everyone has their own story to tell, and we value potential, passion and the perspectives that different backgrounds bring to our work.

Diverse perspectives strengthen our teams and help us better serve our audiences, which is why we’re dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and supported. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

We are committed to a recruitment process that is fair and welcoming to all, without discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.