Associate Comment Editor: fixed-term contract

Role purpose and overview

The Telegraph is seeking an Associate Comment Editor to take on a senior role on the Comment desk in London. The job will involve working closely with the rest of the team to commission engaging, original, and impactful columns, consistent with the Telegraph’s values.

The role will also involve devising creative plans to promote and distribute the Comment desk’s work.

This is a fixed term 12 month position, based in the Telegraph’s office in Victoria.

Key responsibilities

• Commissioning and editing high quality, original and impactful columns for the Telegraph’s subscribers.
• Working closely with the senior editorial team to determine priorities for the desk, including by pitching ideas at editorial meetings.
• Supporting the Comment Editor in the broader running of the desk, including in overseeing the desk on weekdays and some weekends.
• Finding excellent new writers to contribute to the Telegraph.
• Collaborating with the Comment desk’s publisher to devise creative plans for promoting columns.

Key skills

• Considerable experience in a commissioning role, and the ability to come up with original angles on stories that will work as comment pieces.  
• Strong editorial judgment, and the ability to distinguish quickly between good and bad ideas and pitches.
• A high level of knowledge and interest in UK politics and current affairs. 
• An excellent writer with the ability to edit and improve copy quickly. 
• A strong contacts book of suitable writers for the Telegraph.
• Understanding of the role of SEO, social media, and newsletters, in promoting content. 
• Understanding of how visual, video and graphical journalism can be used to engage subscribers.

Our benefits

The nature of our industry means life at the Telegraph Media Group is fast-paced, demanding, and interesting. We also want it to be rewarding for everyone who works here by creating a suite of benefits that contribute to lifestyle choices and leisure activities. From dynamic working opportunities, medical cover, and parental leave (six months fully paid maternity leave and enhanced paternity/partner leave), to life assurance and season ticket loans, you can choose from a range of flexible benefits, designed to support your lifestyle and help you achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Training and development

With support from your manager and colleagues, you’ll also have access to a variety of training and development opportunities through The Academy. Covering a range of personal and professional skills, our courses enable you to develop an enjoyable and rewarding career.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Telegraph Media Group, we foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and we are committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of skills, perspectives and backgrounds. We believe in equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

We are proud to be a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader as part of the government’s Disability Confident Scheme. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition and would like support in applying for any of our roles or if you require any reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process with us, please make us aware.

To find out more about Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Telegraph Media Group, and for more information on our purpose, beliefs, and people values, please visit our website.