Overview
SWNS is the UK's biggest independent news agency. Every day hundreds of stories, images and videos from SWNS are published and broadcast across the national and international media. Our clients are the biggest news publishers in the world – Reach, DMGT, News UK, LADbible, Independent, Times Online, Mail Online, BBC, ITN, The Times, Yahoo! and USAToday to name a few. We cover breaking news, amazing human interest stories, consumer issues, health and scientific breakthroughs, and provide websites around the world with stunning imagery and viral videos. We’ve got huge plans to expand our storytelling into exciting new formats and markets, so it’s an exciting time to join SWNS.
The role
We are looking for a journalist to start ASAP working with both our digital team to cover, source and create content for our clients – the biggest publishers in the world. We welcome all applications - from reporters looking for their first job, to experienced writers after their next challenge. You will be based at our HQ in Bristol - finding, researching, and writing national and international digital news and feature stories under the guidance of our experienced editors. The job will involve creating stories from scratch from a variety of sources including social media and responding to national stories which break in local press. You would cover news, viral videos and real-life human-interest content. While most of your interviews will be over the phone, you should be comfortable getting out and about, reporting from the patch. Successful candidates will have to live and work in or near Bristol but have the flexibility of hybrid working once they are settled into the role.
Deadline – September 12; interviews may begin before the deadline, so early applicants have an advantage.
Qualifications & requirements
* You should have a journalism degree, an NCTJ qualification, shorthand, and a list of work experience as long as your arm.
* Senior reporters must have at least two years experience writing for a mainstream publication or major agency.
* Social media skills are a must. You should know your way around all the platforms and have proven experience using them to source stories.
* Experience sourcing and writing original news stories from scratch is required.
* You must be inquisitive, self-motivated, flexible and have strong organisation skills. You will juggle dozens of stories daily.
Desirable attributes
* Human interest content – stories about the weird, wonderful, sad, inspirational and amazing things that happen to people are our bread and butter.
* You must have maturity, respect and an impressive phone manner when speaking to people about sensitive topics.
Team & culture
We have a strong team mentality at SWNS. We’re competitive with rivals when we need to be, but not with each other. You must be a team player – able to accept help, and help others, at all levels.
Compensation & benefits
* SWNS is a national living wage employer.
* Company pension scheme with employer contribution
* Enhanced maternity and paternity packages
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee assistance programme
* Company events
* Furthr - carbon offsetting app
* Birthday leave
EEO & inclusion
Recent studies show most UK journalism industry professionals come from white ethnic groups (92%) and from professional or upper-class backgrounds (80%). We want to continue to do our part to change this and welcome candidates from all backgrounds.
How to apply
Please apply with a covering letter explaining how you fit the criteria above, and why you want to work at SWNS, along with a CV, to jobs@swns.com with the email title ‘DIGITAL REPORTER’. Please reference ‘digital reporter’ role in the title of your email.
Job details
* Seniority level: Entry level
* Employment type: Full-time
* Job function: Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
* Industries: Media Production
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