Discover & SEO Writer - Manchester Evening News

Do you want to work in one of the country's most vibrant newsrooms? We are recruiting for a Discover and SEO Writer to join us at the Manchester Evening News. We are already the largest regional website in the country with a huge audience, but we want to reach even more people.

This is a fantastic opportunity to support the Manchester Evening News’ Google strategy by  writing content for our organic and Discover audiences. The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Google Discover and the major differences between the two.

We’re looking for fresh ideas and new perspectives from people from a wide range of backgrounds, and we want you to tell us the stories you believe are important from our many communities so we can continue to diversify our content.

So, who are we?

We are Reach Plc, you might not have heard of us but we have probably met without you even realising it. We are home to the UK and Ireland’s most iconic digital platforms, magazines and newspapers. From the Mirror, Daily Express and OK!, to our regional titles such as the Manchester Evening News, Liverpool Echo, BirminghamLive (plus lots more),  our brands and the stories we cover are as varied as our people. We help all kinds of people share experiences through our stories because we believe this is what makes us human.

Oh, and we should probably also mention that with a monthly readership of 47 million people, Reach is the largest commercial publisher in the UK. At Reach, not only will you feel better understood, you will also feel you understand other people better too. 

This role is home and hub based linked to our Manchester Hub. We are therefore open to candidates based in and around Greater Manchester.

What will the role involve?

• Supporting our Google organic and Discover strategy by writing content geared towards those platforms
• Working with the Head of Search, editors and other reporters to help create and write search and content plans, supporting in delivering Discover best practice advice to teams
• Supporting forward planning efforts to establish authority on core topics as well as taking advantage of seasonal opportunities
• Working with the Head of Search to manage the day-to-day implementation of our Discover strategy, helping deliver key projects/initiatives to meet the newsroom's growth objectives around Discover
• Monitoring Google Discover trends that may support content choices
• Identifying topics and areas that would be good organic or Discover opportunities 
• Writing optimised articles strategically commissioned to target Google Discover topics
• Staying on top of the news cycle and communicating trending topics to newsroom managers
• Keeping up to date with the latest SEO best practice and help implement it across the newsroom
• Maintaining a thorough, up-to-date knowledge of media law and IPSO code

Who are we looking for?

You are a passionate NCTJ (or equivalent) qualified journalist, or you are currently working towards this. You have an understanding of what helps a story appear in someone's Discover feed or rank on a search engine results page. You are a first class writer who is excited to work with our Head of Search and Central Distribution team to create content that maximises audience reach. You have demonstrable writing experience in a similar newsroom environment.

You have the skills to write engaging news content including but not limited to local news, UK and world news, TV, showbiz and what’s on. You have excellent organisational skills and can forward plan content both reactively and proactively. You can create content at pace and meet deadlines with ease. This role will involve working varying shifts on a rota basis including weekends/evenings, so a flexible approach is required.

What can we offer you?

We are offering a competitive salary and benefits including;

• Help saving for your retirement - join our pension scheme and well match contributions up to 6%
• 25 days’ holiday per year when you join. After three, five and ten years’ service with Reach, you’ll accrue one additional day of annual leave. We also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Giving back day - an additional days leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
• Enhanced family leave - including maternity, paternity and adoption - and youll be eligible after just six months employment
• Private Healthcare Cash Plan - free health cash plan so you can claim back cash for a range of medical expenses
• As one of the UKs top 50 Inclusive Employers everyones invited to join our events, programmes and networks to celebrate diversity and build an environment where all our people can thrive
• Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP) for you and your nearest and dearest
• Awesome career opportunities - youll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes
• We are also a member of the 30% Club, a global campaign aimed at increasing gender diversity at board and senior management levels

Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.