Job Title: Audience Editor

Reporting to: Chief Audience Editor  

Department: Editorial

Function: Audience

Location: Belfast

Role Purpose 

The Audience Editor is a central part of the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life newsroom team and is responsible for making sure our content is delivered to the right audience, at the right time, on the right platform.

The audience team works closely with reporters, editors and production teams to optimise our content and distribute it via the homepage, newsletters, section pages and social media to ensure it reaches the largest audience possible.

You will ensure our social media platforms are used to distribute our content in a way that grows our channels, our potential audience and traffic on our website.

You will have a deep understanding of how online readers consume news and you will combine sound editorial judgement with adept use of data to inform your decisions. While this isn't a writing or commissioning role, you must have excellent editorial judgement and work collaboratively with the news desk and Group Editors to understand priority stories and plan strategies to get them to the right audiences.

Role Responsibilities (Overview) 

• Manage the digital output and distribute our stories to reach the widest possible audience

• Curate a compelling homepage that reflects the full breadth of stories on belfasttelegraph.co.uk

• Keep an eye on top stories to ensure they have the best headline, pictures, videos and are presented in the best possible way for a digital audience

• Write, manage and send newsletters and push notifications, using open and click-through rates to constantly improve engagement

• Create engaging social media posts that drive readers to our stories, and growth in our social channels

• Curate section pages so that they engage our more niche audiences

• Use real-time and historical data to continuously optimise our readers’ experience

• Work closely with editors to ensure stories create the biggest impact

• Take part in the development and delivery of special editorial campaigns, initiatives and projects

• Develop, adopt and champion best practices for maximising audience engagement

Experience & Qualifications (Minimum Experience & Essential Knowledge)

• At least two years’ editorial experience working in a digital media environment 

• Experience of digital publishing and distribution, including content management systems and analytics dashboards

• A recognised journalism qualification, ideally from an NCTJ-approved course

• Strong knowledge of social media and SEO best practices

• Strong legal and ethical knowledge, including the Editors’ Code of Practice, Northern Ireland and UK media laws, covering libel, contempt, privacy, data protection, copyright issues, etc.

Skills

Technical & Non-technical

Content Management System – editing, page layout

• Data literate, comfortable with Google Analytics, dashboards and charts

• Excellent working knowledge of social media and other digital tools

• Excellent knowledge of libel law in Northern Ireland

• Self-starting, shows initiative, operate without supervision, motivated

• Flexibility / willingness to adapt

• Copy editing and quick, accurate subbing and writing of headlines for multiple channels (search, social, mobile, newsletters, etc.)  

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Mediahuis values the enrichment that comes from a diverse workforce and seeks to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the rights of each individual. We are committed to fostering an environment of equality, diversity and inclusion in our organisation and welcome applications from all individuals. Additionally, we can make reasonable accommodations for a person with a disability during the recruitment process.   

Mediahuis is an equal opportunities employer.