Senior Reporter – The Dorset Echo

The Dorset Echo is looking for a digitally savvy, community-focused Senior Reporter to join our busy newsroom.

This is a great opportunity for a proven reporter to develop their skills across a lively patch, covering breaking news and producing engaging content for multiple platforms.

Our reporters work on a rota which includes some evenings and weekend shifts, with the expectation that major breaking news is covered, whatever the time of day.

Key Responsibilities

Break the news across Dorset using strong contacts, initiative and relentless newsgathering
React to live incidents and ongoing developing stories, providing rolling updates as situations evolve
Generate a constant flow of news ideas, exclusives and forward‑looking content plans
Use AI tools to enhance reporting, drafting and workflows — without compromising editorial control or quality
Source stories through social media, emergency services updates, contacts on the ground and verified tip-offs
Deliver clean, compelling copy under pressure
Ensure all content meets the highest standards of accuracy, media law, privacy and ethics
Take part in a rota covering early starts, late finishes and weekends
Shape coverage deliberately using audience data, performance insight and editorial judgement
Identify new story formats and growth opportunities that resonate with our readers
Work closely with a digital ACE to ensure our content is top-notch.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Excellent writing skills with attention to detail
Ability to work quickly and accurately
Skilled at building relationships with key contacts
Highly organised with strong time management
Knowledge of SEO and media law
Confident using social media and AI Tools (additional training will be provided)
Adaptable writing style across different formats and platforms
Ideally, NCTJ qualified or equivalent (including 100wpm shorthand). If you do not yet have shorthand, you must be willing to train towards it
A full driving licence and access to a car are essential

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.