Reporter – Taunton

Reporter – Taunton
Please note this role requires on-patch working between Taunton and Weston-Super-Mare

We’re looking for a dynamic reporter to join our Taunton newsroom and uncover the next big story.

If you are a digitally‑savvy journalist with a passion for getting out into your community and uncovering the stories that matter, this is your opportunity to make a real impact. From breaking news and crime updates to powerful human‑interest features, lifestyle pieces and local events, you’ll be at the heart of everything happening across your patch.

We’re looking for someone who can deliver fast, agile and dynamic coverage that meets the expectations of our audiences and raises the bar. You’ll have a genuine enthusiasm for digital storytelling, always seeking fresh, creative ways to bring stories to life using a wide range of tools, skills and platforms.

Social media will be a natural extension of your work, helping you build relationships, spot trends, spark conversations and ensure your reporting reflects the pulse of the community. Most importantly, you’ll focus on the stories people care about: from what’s happening on the roads and the latest crime updates, to the people, places and moments that give our towns and cities their character.

This role will require some shift and weekend working, you will need a full driving licence and access to a vehicle, as well as your NCTJ qualification, including 100wpm shorthand.

Key Responsibilities

Write high‑quality, accurate digital news stories, live blogs and features to agreed deadlines.
Use a wide range of digital tools and platforms to tell stories, including video, audio, infographics and maps.
Create and publish engaging social media posts to promote stories and drive audience interaction.
Use social media to build contacts, monitor conversations and identify strong story leads in the community.
Engage readers and grow reach through tailored email newsletters and subscription messaging.
Be first to report accurate breaking news from your patch and keep audiences fully up to date.
Think creatively to develop new story ideas and innovative ways to deliver them across digital platforms.
Build digital audience numbers and grow social media followings across your patch.
Identify national or regional stories with local relevance and shape them for your readership.
Keep on top of court activity, working with court reporters to deliver strong online coverage and make the most of listings and results.
Develop ideas from colleagues and community contributors, adapting them for digital and local relevance.
Use SEO techniques to spot opportunities, follow trends and maximise audience reach.
With editorial guidance, use analytics to understand reader behaviour and shape future coverage.
Build strong relationships within the community and spend time out on patch to understand what really matters locally.
Collaborate with journalists across the UK, sharing ideas, best practice, success stories and skills.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

NCTJ qualification, including 100wpm shorthand.
Excellent knowledge of media law.
A versatile, fresh and energetic writing style with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to write and think quickly under pressure.
Adaptable storytelling style suitable for everything from live blogs and listicles to long reads and features.
Ability to shoot and edit video, and use online tools/apps to produce images, audio and multimedia content.
Willingness to embrace new initiatives, including developments such as AI‑assisted reporting.
Strong news sense and the ability to spot what will resonate with audiences.
Creative ideas for presenting stories in engaging and audience‑focused ways.
Understanding of audience behaviour, including what they want and when.
A regional mindset with the flexibility to work across multiple patches when needed.
Strong knowledge of SEO and its importance in digital journalism.
Excellent social media skills and an ability to identify trending topics and community conversations.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with a wide range of people.
High level of organisation with the ability to manage your own diary while out on patch.
Collaborative approach to working with the wider digital reporting team and openness to feedback and new ideas.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
Structured career progression & ongoing training
Pension plan
Employee Helpline counselling and advice
Perks & discounts including:
- Gym membership
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care
- 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.