Head of News

Job Description

The Times and The Sunday Times represent a combined 400 years of covering news and providing comment and analysis on the UK and the world. We are authoritative, credible, responsible, trusted and a part of the nation’s cultural heritage.

The Sunday Times is looking for a Head of News to lead our news coverage. The Head of News works closely with the editor and the deputy editor to deliver a distinctive, agenda‑setting news package across all platforms. This job is responsible for ensuring world‑class standards of digital and print journalism, and managing the editorial team of editors and reporters.

You will be an experienced news editor with the ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines and with rigorous accuracy. You must have an insatiable appetite for news and the skill to spot stories where others might miss them.

Apply with a covering letter and your CV by January 11.

• Work with editors, writers and reporters to conceive, commission and edit exclusive agenda‑setting news stories and investigations for a print and digital audience

• Oversee the paper’s political coverage

• Lead complicated investigations and stories, working closely with the legal team and meeting exacting editorial standards

• Forward‑plan, working with journalists on long‑range projects and big campaigns

• Lead and manage the newsroom, dealing with award‑winning journalists, developing new talent and supporting progression

• Successfully manage productive relationships with the editor, deputy editor and other section editors

• Demonstrate an understanding of what works best for digital, offering content that is truly distinctive

• Use SEO and analytics tools to help guide commissioning

• Work with the social media and video teams to generate content and promote The Sunday Times news stories

• Commission exclusive video, polls, interactive graphics and picture galleries to engage our digital audience and plan how these stories are shared and promoted online

• Manage the News budget

• Experience working as a news editor for a national newspaper or website

• A deep knowledge of news, politics and current affairs, both domestic and global

• An ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines and with rigorous accuracy

• Be reliable and prepared to put in extra time and effort where necessary

• Experience managing a team of reporters and editors

• An ability to communicate succinctly and effectively

• Have persuasive presentation skills and well‑developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to problem‑solve

• A strong understanding of editorial compliance and regulatory issues

• Experience of working collaboratively with multidisciplinary team

• An understanding of how audience data supports commissioning and how to promote a story on social media and through search engines

• Know how to attract and retain new audiences

One of the leading media businesses in the UK and Ireland. Our news brands include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Sun on Sunday and The TLS. Our national broadcast brands include talk

SPORT, Times Radio, Talk and Virgin Radio UK, and we have market‑leading local radio stations across Ireland. Our world‑famous brands provide news, analysis, opinion and entertainment to almost 40 million people each month. Spanning print and pixel, audio and video, events and experiences, our multiplatform brands are home to a plurality of opinion, representing the diverse communities we serve. News UK is wholly owned by News Corp.

Driven by passion, guided by principles and acting with purpose. We represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling the stories that matter. We inform our audiences so that they can make decisions based on trusted information. To do this, we believe our employees must represent different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We strive to maximise and encourage every individual’s potential and ensure everyone feels valued.

We support this through our Diversity Strategy, which focuses on three main priorities – attracting talent from a wider, more representative pool, developing equity programmes to drive better representation in our…