Newsroom AI Coach

Operating at the centre of Newsquest’s editorial AI work and reporting into our Head of AI, the Newsroom AI Coach will maintain a clear, up-to-date understanding of all AI-related projects, tools and technologies across Newsquest, and work closely with newsrooms to help them adopt and use these successfully.

Acting primarily in an advisory and enabling capacity, the role ensures that AI tools and initiatives — including the AI-reporting initiative — deliver real value for newsrooms.

The role is strongly editorial-facing, working day-to-day with editors, ACEs and reporters, while also maintaining close relationships with product teams. The focus is on newsroom adoption, coordination, standards and success.

Key Responsibilities

Act as the main point of contact for newsrooms on all editorial AI projects, tools and initiatives.
Hold regular advisory meetings with editors and ACEs to provide guidance on AI adoption, project progress, challenges and opportunities.
Help oversee the AI-reporting initiative and the roles under that remit, ensuring alignment with wider editorial AI strategy and newsroom needs.
Support editors in making informed decisions about how and when to use AI in their newsrooms; adopting existing in-house AI technology, future in-house developments, and approved third-party AI tools.
Advise on responsible, ethical and effective use of AI to support journalism, workflows and audience needs.
Support newsrooms to scope, shape and, where appropriate, run AI projects, pilots or trials.
Maintain an overview of editorial AI activity across the company, identifying gaps, duplication or barriers to adoption and working with stakeholders to address them.
Work closely with specialist AI roles to ensure their work is well understood, well used and delivering impact in newsrooms.
Hold part-responsibility for oversight of editorial AI tools, including rollout, guidance, feedback from newsrooms, and development of standards and best practice.
Feed editorial insight back into product and technology conversations to help shape future development.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Strong ability to advise and guide newsrooms, editorial teams or media organisations through change.
Strong relationship-building and influencing skills.
Strong understanding of editorial workflows and newsroom culture.
Ability to explain complex or technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
Strong relationship-building and influencing skills.
Experience working with AI tools, automation or data-driven journalism.
Experience overseeing or coordinating multiple projects or initiatives.
Understanding of responsible and ethical AI use in journalism.
Ability to collaborate with product or technology teams.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
Structured career progression & ongoing training
Pension plan & mental health support
Perks & discounts including:
- Gym membership
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care vouchers (£50 towards glasses)
- Retail discounts
Team building days & annual volunteer charity day

About Newsquest Media Group

We are a media company with a difference. We are committed to bringing a voice to your region by investing in a passionate team of journalists who proudly serve their communities by sharing authoritative news that readers trust. Our sales teams provide local businesses with highly responsive digital advertising and marketing solutions.

We are one of the largest regional news publishers in the UK and have a portfolio of more than 250+ local news brands and magazines online and in print. With an online audience of 41 million users a month and 7 million readers a week in print, our content is read by a substantial proportion of the UK population.

In addition to our local news brands, we own several digital pure play and specialist media businesses such as s1jobs and s1homes, Exchange & Mart, and Newsquest Specialist Media. We also own LOCALiQ, an award-winning digital marketing agency that specialises in driving more leads, increasing online growth and generating return on marketing investment on behalf of thousands of UK SMBs.