📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: SEO & Discover Editor - Mirror (Maternity Cover)
🔹 Company: Reach plc
🔹 Location: London, City of, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Fixed Term Contract
🔹 Category: Media & Publishing
🔹 Date Posted: April 15, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Hub-based at least 3 days per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Spearheading the Mirror's Google Discover strategy to maximize performance and visibility
- Managing Discover opportunities and planning, both reactively and proactively
- Actively participating in editorial content direction and planning
- Providing real-time feedback on articles to improve visibility on Discover
- Creating daily reports using analytical tools to guide content choices and identify training needs
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of Google Discover trends and a proven track record in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage the Mirror’s Discover opportunities and planning, both reactively and proactively
✅ Attend and play a key role in conferences, meetings, and newsroom planning to influence content direction from a Discover perspective
✅ Build Discover editorial calendars, communicate key upcoming events to editors, and manage forward planning efforts
✅ Manage the day-to-day implementation of the Discover strategy in the newsroom, providing real-time feedback on articles
✅ Create daily reports using analytical tools to make key content choices, identify training needs, and deliver the latest best practice advice to teams
✅ Work weekend and evening shifts on a rotational basis
ASSUMPTION: This role may require working flexible hours to cover news cycles and breaking stories.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: NCTJ (or equivalent) qualified journalist
Experience: Proven track record in an editor-level position within a fast-paced national newsroom environment
Required Skills:
- Excellent news sense and digital publishing skills
- Strong SEO skills and a deep understanding of Google Discover trends
- Excellent communication and team management skills
- Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines
- Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision-making
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with content management systems and SEO tools
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a background in digital journalism and a strong portfolio of published work may be preferred.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (Estimated, based on industry standards for a senior editorial role in London)
Benefits:
- Help saving for your retirement - match contributions up to 6%
- 33 days’ holiday per year (including bank holidays), with the option to purchase additional leave
- Giving back day - an additional day of leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
- Enhanced family leave - including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
- Private Healthcare Cash Plan - free health cash plan for a range of medical expenses
- Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP)
- Awesome career opportunities - learning & development programmes and support from line managers
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and weekend/evening shifts on a rotational basis
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior editorial role in London. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and skills.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Media & Publishing, with a focus on digital journalism and audience engagement
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a large and diverse range of opportunities for growth and development
Founded: 1832, with a rich history in journalism and a strong commitment to innovation and digital transformation
Company Description:
- Reach plc is the UK’s and Ireland’s largest commercial news publisher, with over 120 trusted brands across national, regional, and US markets
- The company is home to iconic titles such as the Mirror, Express, Daily Record, Daily Star, and many local and digital-first brands
- Reach plc is committed to being an inclusive employer, encouraging applications from all suitable candidates irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief, and sexual orientation
Company Specialties:
- News and journalism
- Digital publishing and audience engagement
- Content creation and distribution
- SEO and content optimization
Company Website: http://www.reachplc.com
ASSUMPTION: Reach plc's extensive portfolio of brands and digital-first approach offers candidates a unique opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and content.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior, with the opportunity to manage teams and influence content direction
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Audience Development and works closely with editorial senior managers and content teams
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a hub-based requirement of at least 3 days per week in London
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a permanent role or other senior editorial positions within the company
- Expanding skills and expertise in SEO, content optimization, and digital journalism
- Gaining experience in managing teams and driving audience growth strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in a senior editorial position and make a significant impact on the company's digital strategy.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hub-based, with a requirement to work from the London office at least 3 days per week
Office Location(s): One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP, GB
Geographic Context:
- London is a vibrant and multicultural city, offering a wide range of cultural, social, and professional opportunities
- The Canary Wharf area is a major business hub, with excellent transport links and amenities
- The role may require working flexible hours to cover news cycles and breaking stories, with some weekend and evening shifts
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and weekend/evening shifts on a rotational basis
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and flexible hours may appeal to candidates seeking a balance between office collaboration and remote work.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and CV submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- Face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Second-stage interview or assessment, focusing on skills and cultural fit
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Journalism and content creation skills
- SEO and content optimization expertise
- Communication and team management abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Google Discover trends and SEO best practices
- Showcase your portfolio of published work and any relevant industry awards or recognition
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company to demonstrate your interest and engagement
ATS Keywords: SEO, Google Discover, content optimization, digital journalism, audience engagement, newsroom planning, editorial direction, content commissioning, real-time support, data-driven decision-making, team management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process may include assessments or tasks to evaluate the candidate's skills and cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Adobe Experience Manager)
- SEO tools (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs, Google Search Console)
- Analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard tools and technologies is expected, but training may be provided for company-specific platforms.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Trust - acting with integrity and honesty
- Empowerment - encouraging creativity and innovation
- Collaboration - working together to achieve shared goals
- Ambition - striving for excellence and continuous improvement
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on breaking news and trending topics
- Collaborative and supportive, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and knowledge-sharing
- Data-driven and analytical, with a focus on using data to inform content decisions
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic newsroom environment?
- Are you comfortable working with data and using it to inform content decisions?
- Do you have strong communication and team management skills?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Reach plc's company values and work style are more likely to succeed in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom environment
- Keeping up with the latest trends and developments in digital journalism and SEO
- Working flexible hours, including weekend and evening shifts on a rotational basis
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement and balancing remote work with office-based collaboration
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on Google Discover strategy and audience growth through content optimization
- Similar roles may include SEO specialists, content strategists, or audience development managers, but this role offers a more holistic approach to digital journalism and audience engagement
- Career progression may include moving into a permanent role or taking on additional responsibilities within the editorial or audience development teams
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in a senior editorial position and make a significant impact on the company's digital strategy.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a Google Discover strategy for a major news event or campaign
- Analyzing audience data to identify trends and opportunities for content optimization and growth
- Managing a team of journalists and editors to deliver a high-profile project or series of articles
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to showcase the candidate's skills and experience in managing complex projects and driving audience growth strategies.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the overall editorial strategy for the Mirror and Reach plc?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the company?
- How does the company support work-life balance for employees working flexible hours or remotely?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this role contribute to those efforts?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and engaging questions demonstrates the candidate's interest in the role and commitment to the company's success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Reach plc careers portal
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company to demonstrate your interest and engagement
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
