Foreign Desk Manager

Role purpose and overview

The Foreign Desk Manager is the operational heartbeat of our international news coverage. The role provides end-to-end logistical, administrative and financial support to the Foreign Editor, our network of foreign correspondents and the London-based editorial team.

This role requires a proactive approach, the ability to manage competing priorities with ease and strong communication skills. The Foreign Desk Manager plays a critical role in ensuring overseas reporting runs smoothly, safely and efficiently, enabling journalists to focus on delivering high-quality journalism.

This role is ideal for a career administrator with a passion for operational excellence who must ensure the smooth running of all editorial processes. This is an office-based position, requiring a consistent five-day-a-week presence to maintain desk stability and support.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the London desk, including managing its rota and cover the US desk rota during periods of annual leave.
• Anticipate the needs of the rota, arranging freelance cover as required, managing onboarding and ensuring weekly payments are processed accurately, all in line with agreed spend and budget.
• Monitor and record holidays and absences to support effective rota planning.
• Assist in managing the Foreign budget, acting as a key liaison between the Foreign Editor and the Editorial Finance team. The role is responsible for fielding financial queries, forward planning expenditure, providing accurate project costings and explaining any variances in spend with clear and informed commentary.
• Verify and process contribution fees promptly for fortnightly pay runs and ensure expenses are processed carefully in accordance with internal policies.
• Coordination of all international travel including flights, accommodation and ground transport (drivers/fixers), often in high-pressure or breaking news scenarios.
• Supporting visa applications and press accreditations for global news events.
• Oversee the procurement and distribution of equipment required for overseas reporting, including satellite phones, local SIM cards and specialised communication tools.
• Manage the provision of safety gear (PPE), ensure all staff have up-to-date inoculations and coordinate Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) programmes across the newsroom.
• Working with the Managing Editor’s office, acting as a key point of contact for risk assessments and ensuring all reporters and freelancers working abroad are fully compliant with company safety protocols.
• Coordinate work experience placements, leveraging stakeholder relationships to provide participants with a high-quality and rewarding experience.
• Monitoring and distributing News Tips via central inbox alongside other Desk Managers.
• Engage proactively in monthly meetings with other newsroom support members, sharing ideas and solutions to enhance operations and support a collaborative, efficient newsroom.

Key skills

• Highly organised and able to remain calm under pressure in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
• Experienced in following business processes and procedures with accuracy, while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Strong relationship-building skills, both verbally and in writing, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Resourceful and adept at problem-solving, handling setbacks with resilience and good humour.
• Forward-thinking, able to anticipate the needs of the desks and willing to go the extra mile when required.
• Proficient in Google Suite and other standard office software.
• Editorial experience is desirable but not essential.
• Comfortable working in a pivotal, behind-the-scenes role with no involvement in content creation.

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.