Do you want to shine a light on the daily decisions of councils, to ensure politicians keep their promises and to break essential stories about public interest issues?
Job Details
* Full‑time
* Contract type: Permanent
* Location: Home & Hub – Manchester (must live in Greater Manchester area)
* Division: Editorial
* Salary currency: GBP Sterling
* Department: Regionals
About the role
We are looking for a Local Democracy Reporter to live and breathe the decisions being made by Greater Manchester councils. The Manchester Evening News is the largest regional website in the country with a huge audience. We pride ourselves on setting the agenda and making a difference through campaigning, investigations and first‑class journalism that changes lives and influences law.
From the state of roads to local schools to new recycling services, every one of us is affected by the decisions that councils make. You will be part of a team of 165 reporters working throughout the UK to hold local authorities to account through a BBC‑supported service. Your work will mean that everyone in Greater Manchester will get to hear about what the council is doing in their name.
Responsibilities
* a day in the life of a Local Democracy Reporter looks like this:
* cover the key business of a variety of Greater Manchester councils, as well as the political and social issues affecting their communities
* ensure coverage of council meetings and key decisions in a timely manner
* build contacts, understand and explore key issues, write features and break exclusives with the potential to be shown on the BBC Homepage and used by other local media partners
Qualifications
* NVQ/NCTJ qualified journalist, ideally with 100wpm shorthand skills (or currently working towards this), with an understanding and interest in local community issues
* Previous experience reporting on local government/councils is desirable
* Ability to pull the stories out of local council meetings that readers want to know about
* Good knowledge of social media and the ability to use it to grow and engage our audience and the people in your area – an advantage
* Interest in local councils, keen to ensure transparency and integrity in local government and to make sure local communities are heard
* Excellent knowledge of Greater Manchester and solid understanding of the area you will be covering
Benefits
* 25 days' holiday (plus bank holidays), plus an extra day after 3, 5 and 10 years of service; scheme to buy extra holiday if desired
* An extra day's paid leave each year to volunteer for a cause close to your community or heart
* Extra paid leave for significant life moments (e.g. marriage, moving house, welcoming a new family member)
* Retirement savings – match company pension contributions up to 6% and contribution through salary sacrifice
* Progressive people policies – enhanced family leave, flexibility, inclusion and progression support
* Healthcare cash plan – money back for medical expenses and fast access to doctor's appointments
* Car lease scheme – buy a brand‑new electric or hybrid car through leasing partner, payable via salary sacrifice
* Wellbeing support – 24/7 assistance programme for you and your family
* Access to discounts – 15% off through Reach's online marketplace Yimbly
* Interest‑free loans – for season tickets and technology
Additional Information
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‑opportunity 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.
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