Editor, communities

Role: Head of communities
Organisation: Reach
Location: UK-wide
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Division: Editorial
Department: Central Hub
Working arrangement: Remote, with travel to a national Reach hub when required

The role can be based anywhere in the UK, although candidates should ideally be able to travel to one of Reach’s national hubs when required.

About the role

Reach is developing a new model for local and specialist journalism, launching highly targeted paid newsletters in markets including Southport, Ayrshire and the Newcastle business community.

The head of communities will lead the development of this work, overseeing the launch and day-to-day operation of the initial titles and helping to establish an approach that can be used in other markets.

The role combines senior editorial experience with audience development and digital strategy. You will lead content strategy and help grow audiences, develop engaged communities and increase subscriptions while maintaining strong editorial standards.

About Reach

Reach is a commercial news publisher with more than 120 brands, including the Daily Record, Mirror, Express, Daily Star, Glasgow Live, BelfastLive, Manchester Evening News and Irish Star.

Reach says it reaches 70 per cent of the UK’s online population and has more than 100 million social media followers worldwide.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the launch of the initial test markets, including Southport, Ayrshire and Journal, taking them from concept to live beta and establishing their publishing schedules.
• Develop and document best practice for the model, including content frequency, formatting, publishing workflows and approaches to community engagement.
• Recruit, manage and mentor journalists, helping them develop their individual voices, build local networks and work effectively as reporters and community managers.
• Use measures including free sign-ups, open rates, click-through rates and free-to-paid conversion rates to inform content strategy and support growth.
• Test different approaches to reader engagement and retention, including comments, podcasts, local events and subscription options.

Key relationships

The head of communities will work closely with teams across Reach, including:

• Writers and local journalists: Manage and mentor direct reports, supporting their journalism and development.
• Editorial and commercial leadership: Share insights and growth data while ensuring new publications meet Reach’s legal and ethical standards and support its wider subscription strategy.
• Product, technology and legal teams: Support publishing workflows between Reach’s internal content management system, Launchpad, and external delivery platforms, while maintaining compliance.
• Marketing and audience development: Use Reach’s regional publications, social media channels and print titles to support initial free subscriber growth.

Essential criteria

• A background as a senior journalist, news editor or digital editor, with strong editorial judgement and an understanding of compelling local journalism.
• A strong understanding of audience development, paid newsletters and subscription journalism, including the difference between content that generates immediate traffic and journalism that encourages long-term readership.
• An understanding of community-focused journalism and experience of engaging readers beyond traditional publishing.
• Confidence using engagement and conversion data to inform and adapt content strategies.
• Experience of managing and developing journalists, balancing individual creativity with wider editorial and strategic objectives.

Benefits

Benefits include:

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, with an additional day after three, five and 10 years’ service and the option to buy further holiday.
• One additional day of paid leave each year to volunteer for a cause you care about.
• A ‘big moment’ day, providing an additional day of paid leave for a significant personal event.
• Employer pension contributions matched up to 6 per cent, with contributions available through salary sacrifice.
• Family-friendly and flexible working policies, including enhanced family leave.
• A healthcare cash plan covering a range of medical expenses and providing access to doctors’ appointments.
• An electric and hybrid car leasing scheme available through salary sacrifice.
• Wellbeing support, including a 24-hour assistance programme for employees and their families.
• A range of discounts, including 15 per cent off through Reach’s online marketplace, Yimbly.
• Interest-free loans, including for season tickets and technology.

Inclusive recruitment

Reach encourages applications from people who are interested in the role even if they do not meet every criterion.

The organisation says it values different backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Reach is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.