Features Writer - Mirror & Magazines at Reach plc

London, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

02 Feb, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

04 Nov, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Features Writing, Data-Driven Storytelling, SEO, Content Optimization, Real-Time Analytics, CMS Publishing, Audience Engagement, Digital Journalism, Social Media, Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, Fast-Paced Environment, Storytelling, Legal Compliance, KPI Tracking

Industry

technology;Information and Media

Description

Company Description We are looking for an experienced Features Writer to join our dynamic Mirror & Magazines team. The Features (Audience) Writer plays a crucial role in driving traffic and engagement by producing high-impact, data-driven stories and exclusives across a wide range of topics. Reporting to the Head of Features (Audience) , you will react quickly to real-time analytics, trending topics, and platform insights to deliver stories and exclusives that audiences are actively searching for and sharing. This role requires a sharp eye for what’s performing, a bulging contacts book to source case studies, exclusives and experts and the ability to write fast, optimised and engaging content, and a passion for giving readers the stories they most want to read, in the formats and on the platforms they want to consume it. Content will be shared across platforms so experience in writing compelling long-form reads is essential. You will be expected to combine speed, creativity and accuracy - spotting the angles that cut through in a crowded space - while ensuring all content is legally sound, brand-appropriate, IPSO-compliant, and aligned with the Mirror and Magazines’ content pillars and prioritisation strategy. This role is home and hub based, linked to our Canary Wharf Hub. Therefore you must be currently located in or around London. 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 react quickly to breaking news and trends across news, entertainment, lifestyle and showbiz, writing fast, engaging stories that keep Mirror and Magazines coverage competitive on Discover, search and social. You will break stories on celebrity scandals, relationships, controversies, red carpets and personal profiles, delivering exclusive, personality-led showbiz journalism that cuts through the noise. You will build and nurture showbiz contacts and communities online and offline to secure tips and exclusives. You will monitor real-time analytics, trending charts and social media to spot opportunities that drive traffic, pitching and delivering data-led ideas to grow page views, dwell time and recirculation. You will create evergreen content and listicles that strengthen search visibility and long-tail traffic, and write across formats including quick turnarounds, deep-dive exclusives, Q&As, features, galleries and explainers. You will produce engaging affiliate content in line with brand guidelines to drive revenue opportunities. You will craft highly optimised headlines and intros to maximise CTR, and package every story with strong metadata, imagery, links and SEO best practice. You will track performance in analytics and refine angles, headlines or presentation accordingly, contributing to KPIs such as traffic growth, affiliate conversions, dwell time, recirculation, video views and social monetisation. You will shape stories around clear User Needs—Update me, Divert me, Help me, Keep me Engaged—and tailor output for search, Discover, the homepage, Facebook, TikTok and other social channels, working closely with SEO and social teams to maximise visibility and distribution. You will suggest and create content for video, audio, social-first formats and visuals, use AI tools responsibly to improve efficiency, accuracy and speed, and experiment with new storytelling approaches that lift traffic and engagement. You will collaborate with senior editors, SEO, video and social teams to maximise reach. Who are we looking for? You are an experienced NCTJ qualified (or equivalent) reporter with up to date UK media law knowledge and proven experience writing features spanning news, showbiz, lifestyle and entertainment. You have an excellent instinct for what audiences are reading and searching for. You have strong writing and headline skills and can turn stories around quickly while confidently use real-time analytics to guide decisions and are highly data-literate. You have strong skills in CMS publishing, SEO and content optimisation. You thrive in a fast-paced, audience-driven environment and remain agile and adaptable. You have strong communication skills and collaborate effectively with SEO, social and editorial colleagues. You have a passion for digital journalism and audience-first storytelling. You have a working knowledge of core editorial KPIs (e.g. pageviews and revenue) and use them to guide storytelling as well as a proven track record of accurate digital storytelling using video, words and pictures. 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' 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. An extra day's paid leave each year to volunteer for a cause close to your community or your heart. 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!) Bonus scheme - you'll get a stake in our success and a chance to add to your annual earnings. Help saving for your retirement - we'll match your company pension contributions up to 6% and you can contribute through salary sacrifice. 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 this overview of the policies we have in place to support families and carers. If there's something you want to understand more about, just ask - it won’t make a difference to your application. A healthcare cash plan - giving you money back for a range of medical expenses and fast access to doctor's appointments. Car lease scheme - you can buy a brand new electric or hybrid car through our leasing partner, and pay for it through salary sacrifice. Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 assistance programme for you and your family. 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. Interest-free loans - including for season tickets and technology. We reserve the right to close this advert at any time dependant on number/quality of applications. 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.

Responsibilities

The Features Writer will produce high-impact, data-driven stories and exclusives across various topics, reacting quickly to analytics and trends. They will monitor real-time data to drive traffic and engagement while ensuring content aligns with brand guidelines and legal standards.