Company Description
The Liverpool Echo is one of the biggest regional publishers in the country and we’re looking for an Investigations and Campaigns Reporter to help us tell the stories that matter to the people of Merseyside. The Echo has a long and proud tradition of campaigning and investigative journalism, now we need a reporter with a track record in making public interest news engaging to a large audience.
You will uncover, research and tell stories that matter to local people, writing with passion and holding authorities to account across a range of subjects. You’ll break original, agenda-setting exclusives in collaboration with content editors, act as a trusted ambassador for the brand on and off platform and build engaged communities around your work. Tenacious and determined you will deliver high-quality investigations.
This role is based in our Liverpool city centre Hub, we are therefore open to candidates based in and around Liverpool.
About us
Hello, we’re Reach. Every day, our trusted news, stories and content connect with millions of people where they live - whether that’s on their social feed or at their neighbourhood newsstand; through their local community or their take on the hot topic of the day.
We're home to more than 120 trusted brands - from household names like the Mirror, Express, Daily Star and Daily Record, to local titles like MyLondon, BelfastLive, and the Manchester Evening News, and brands making a splash in the US like the Irish Star.
It's our ability to understand people and the things that matter to them that makes us the UK and Ireland's largest commercial news publisher. We reach 70% of the UK's online population and speak to over 100 million social followers around the world. And we’re just getting started…
Your story, with Reach
As a modern media organisation, we're much more than just news. And it takes a wide range of people and skills to serve diverse audiences, customers and communities like we do.
We know everyone has their own story to tell, so we’ve built an environment where every background is respected and every day is a day to explore.
We’ll help you build a career that works with your life, while giving you the space to create and grow.
What will the role involve?
You will lead thorough, engaging and imaginative investigations, uncovering, researching and telling stories that matter to local people. You will write with passion and conviction, holding authorities to account across a broad range of subjects. You will break important, original and exclusive stories, working with content editors to set the agenda on the issues that count. You will act as a trusted authority and brand ambassador for the Liverpool Echo, building and nurturing communities around your work and actively engaging with readers on and off platform.
You will tell stories in many different formats including real-time live blogs, articles, video, audio and pictures, considering audio and video for every piece and capturing or curating basic footage where it best serves the audience. You will utilise approved AI tools to optimise content creation, improve accuracy and efficiency, and deliver articles that truly resonate. You will create engaging, brand-aligned affiliate content, researching products and audiences to craft copy that drives traffic, click-through and conversions, generating partner revenue.
You will tailor content for off-platform channels to extend reach and engagement and, where approved by a senior editor, distribute it while maintaining editorial standards. You will play your part in building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve.
Who are we looking for?
You are NCTJ-qualified (or equivalent time served) journalist, with 100 wpm shorthand achieved or in progress, and a strong passion for digital storytelling in local journalism. You have a working knowledge of core editorial KPIs (, pageviews, revenue) and use them to shape story choices, angles and optimisation.
You have a proven track record of sourcing and writing similar investigative stories that are accurate and engaging. You are confident with digital publishing tools, from CMS workflows to shooting and editing video and photography. You are skilled on social media, with a following and a track record of building engaged communities.
You are an expert on all things Liverpool and ideally have access to a vehicle to allow you to chase down leads with ease. You are an excellent communicator and collaborative team player with strong time management, remaining professional at all times and adaptable to changing business needs.
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:
1. 25 days' holiday (plus bank holidays), as well as an extra day after you've been with us for three, five and 10 years. We also have a scheme to help you buy extra holiday if you want to.
2. An extra day's paid leave each year to volunteer for a cause close to your community or your heart.
3. Big moment day - an extra day’s paid leave for a moment that matters to you - like getting married, moving house or welcoming a new addition to the family (human or furry!)
4. Bonus scheme - you'll get a stake in our success and a chance to add to your annual earnings.
5. Help saving for your retirement - we'll match your company pension contributions up to 6% and you can contribute through salary sacrifice.
6. Supportive and progressive people policies - we’re proud to have a range of policies to support people in their lives in and outside work, including enhanced family leave and policies to promote flexibility, inclusion and progression. We believe you shouldn’t have to wait to join us to know what to expect from us, which is why we share. If there's something you want to understand more about, just ask - it won’t make a difference to your application.
7. A healthcare cash plan - giving you money back for a range of medical expenses and fast access to doctor's appointments.
8. Car lease scheme - you can buy a brand new electric or hybrid car through our leasing partner, and pay for it through salary sacrifice.
9. Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 assistance programme for you and your family.
10. Access to lots of discounts - including 15% off with Reach's very own online marketplace, Yimbly, where you can buy everything from homewares to beauty products.
11. Interest-free loans - including for season tickets and technology.
Additional Information
Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.