Executive Editor - BristolLive (6 month FTC)

Company Description

We are looking for an Executive Editor to join us at BristolLive on a 6 month fixed term contract to cover a Family Leave.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced editor or senior content editor with a strong track record of leadership to take a pivotal operational role leading our BristolLive brand team.

You will lead the day-to-day operations of the newsdesk, playing a leading role in shaping BristolLive’s brand values, workflows, people and content. You will be responsible for delivering agile, high-impact content that informs, inspires, indulges, and empowers our readers in their local lives, while driving consistent and sustainable audience growth across all key metrics.

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.

Job Description

What will the role involve?

• Lead Newsdesk Operations: Take a primary leadership role on the BristolLive newsdesk, shaping team operations, processes, content, and brand values.
• Drive Audience Targets: Partner with the Senior Editor and senior colleagues to achieve consistent, sustainable audience growth and deliver monthly key targets.
• Content Creation & Senior Editing: Ensure content is published quickly, accurately, and legally (IPSO compliant), meeting all Reach digital publishing standards across online platforms, homepages, newsletters, and social channels.
• People Management & Culture: Mentor and develop reporters, setting clear expectations, encouraging high performance, rewarding success, and fostering an inclusive culture of trust and safety (including support for the Belonging Project).
• Agile & Flexible Leadership: Work in partnership with cross-functional teams (Sport, Breaking News, Politics, Video, Business) and work antisocial early, late, and weekend shifts where required.

This role is a home and hub position linked to our Bristol office, so you will need to be based in or around the Bristol area. 

Qualifications

Who are we looking for?

• Experienced Newsroom Leader: An editor, senior content editor, or experienced content editor with a proven track record of acting in leadership roles.
• Strategic & Digital Savvy: Possess deep digital publishing, video creation/editing, and social media skills, with experience developing audience strategy and shaping brand identity.
• Agenda-Setter: A proven track record of leading forward planning, campaigns, and agenda-setting local content, backed by strong local knowledge and a customer-value mindset.
• Inclusive & Collaborative People Manager: Strong people management, delegation, decision-making, and communication skills, with a demonstrable commitment to furthering inclusivity in the newsroom.
• Core Behaviours: Demonstrable collaboration, determination, imagination, and a relentless focus on our readers.

Additional Information

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!)
• 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.
• Private healthcare
• 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.
• Financial Wellbeing – Access Stream, our app for managing your finances, pay, rewards and benefits all in one place
• 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.

If you’re excited about this role but don’t tick every single box, please don’t let that stop you from applying.

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 opportunities 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.