Senior News Reporter

Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless, investigative journalism, and holds power to account. Our team of award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial professionals, and industry-leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development, with a focus on training, growth and fostering an inclusive culture.

We are looking for a senior news reporter to join the National news desk. You will generate news stories and investigations across digital and print platforms and cover breaking news.

Applicants must have a proven track record in covering major stories and breaking exclusives.

This is a fixed-term contract for up to 9 months to cover a period of parental leave. The position can be based in London or Manchester and the working pattern is a nine-day fortnight including every Saturday.

About the role

• Deliver news, interviews, features, live blogs, multimedia work and other material to ensure important stories are covered
• Break exclusive news stories with national impact
• Monitor a range of sources and diaries for breaking/developing/upcoming stories
• Participate and shape thinking on key subjects across the newsroom, spotting broader social and political trends as well as being confident in making comment on direction of a subject
• Work with the news editors to identify stories and develop the best possible way of telling them in an engaging way for Guardian readers 
• Work on collaborative reporting projects with other reporters, news editors, data specialists and visual journalists
• Use social media as part of the Guardian's commitment to open journalism and engagement of our audience
• Collaborate with the audio and video teams to develop and present video features and content to accompany news stories

About you

• Demonstrable reporting experience, across digital and print, preferably on a national newspaper, website or magazine 
• Able to write news, comment, features and punchy copy, independently and as directed by the Editor
• Knowledge and awareness of the demands of digital and social platforms and print 
• Proven experience of writing news and features 
• Strong understanding of important issues and stories affecting the UK
• Understanding of how to use social media and multimedia
• Good understanding of Guardian values
• Excellent contacts
• Preferably NCTJ trained
• Media law knowledge
• Ideally you will have a demonstrable ability to bring a diverse perspective to the role

We actively encourage applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in the UK media.

We operate in a hybrid environment working at least three days a week from our offices in King’s Cross in London.

The starting salary for this NUJ position is a minimum of £54,239, with the final offer determined by the successful candidate's skills, experience, and responsibilities.

How to apply

To apply, please upload your latest CV and a cover letter which outlines why you’d love to take on this role, and why you’re a great match for what we’re looking for. In your cover letter, you must provide examples of news features or investigations in which you were involved.

We appreciate the time taken to prepare each application we receive. We do not use AI-assisted technology to review applications; every application is reviewed by a member of our recruitment team. Thank you for bearing with us during the screening process. 

The closing date for applications is Friday October 2 2026.

All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to help your application, this includes providing documents in accessible formats or personalising the process to better support your needs.

Benefits at the Guardian

You'll have six weeks of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days. Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age). We believe in giving back, which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving. Season ticket loans are also available.

You are entitled to life cover, income protection, and eye tests. You can also opt in to dental insurance.

We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place. We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality policy.

Culture and wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We became the first major media organisation to achieve B Corp status.

We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and wellbeing. In addition, we also offer free yoga and pilates classes. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme.

Our canteen has views overlooking the Regents Canal and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Learning and development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.