Deputy Puzzles Editor

About The Role

The Telegraph publishes more than 100 puzzles per week across print, digital and web. All puzzles are commissioned, proofed, fact-checked, subbed, uploaded and signed off for press by the puzzles department. The cornerstone to our puzzles offering is the world-famous Telegraph Crossword, which has been published continuously for almost a century.

We are looking for a Deputy Puzzles Editor, which is a new role, to take up a key position in our existing puzzles team to assist with all areas of work within the puzzles department, with a particular focus on Telegraph Puzzles, our online and digital puzzles platform.

The Deputy Puzzles Editor will support the Puzzles Editor in the commissioning, editing and production of puzzles, with responsibility for specific puzzle types within our portfolio. 

They will work to improve our engagement with readers and solvers via social media and other methods, such as newsletters, and provide support for  other members of the Puzzles team as appropriate.

The Deputy Puzzles Editor will report to the Puzzles Editor and liaise with other Telegraph departments when needed, as well as interacting with both readers and puzzle suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

• Editing of puzzles, including cryptic crosswords and other word, number and mathematical puzzles.
• Building crosswords using the Telegraph in-house crossword-building systems.
• Producing some content for the weekly puzzles newsletter and other channels.
• Proofreading and test-solving of crosswords, quizzes and chess and bridge columns.
• Contributing to our ongoing puzzles roadmap to enhance our digital offering and increase engagement.
• Working with the Puzzles Editor on the production of content for our range of Telegraph puzzle books.
• Responding to enquiries and raising issues with the Puzzles Editor and other departments as necessary.
• Assisting the Assistant Puzzles Editors as required in loading puzzles to our digital and online platforms, and laying out pages for print.

Key Skills

• A thorough understanding of how cryptic crosswords work is essential, with a strong preference for experience of compiling and/or editing cryptic crosswords.
• Ability to solve and edit other types of word and number puzzles is preferred.
• Experience in commissioning content, along with commercial awareness of commissioning processes and digital publishing is essential.
• Experience of working within an editorial or puzzles department would be advantageous.
• Great attention to detail and the ability to work to a high degree of accuracy is key, as is being able to work to set deadlines.
• Excellent command of written language and/or experience of proofreading.
• Good communicator with both colleagues and customers, particularly when responding to complaints.
• Knowledge of (or the ability to swiftly learn) how to use The Telegraph’s publishing systems, including Adobe InDesign and content management systems.
• Some prior experience of the puzzles market and its trends is desirable.

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.