Deputy Political Editor

The Deputy Political Editor will be a key member of Mediahuis Ireland political team. They will work closely with the Political Editor to oversee political coverage across the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent and the wider group as necessary. The ideal candidate will have key role in the Sunday Independent’s political output and develop a close working relationship with its Editor and Head of News.

The role holder will be expected to provide in-depth analysis of political stories/activity and innovative online content in the multi-media newsroom. They will also deputise for the Group Political Editor in their absence and manage and direct the politics reporting team to ensure the best, most timely coverage for each of our publications.

Originating high-quality newsworthy stories and content and treating these creatively for both diary and off-diary stories will play a significant part of the role on a daily basis. The role requires the correspondent to operate cross functionally with the editorial and political teams to ensure Mediahuis Ireland provides cutting-edge political news and analysis.

They will be well versed with Mediahuis Ireland’s video and podcast strategy. They will regularly
contribute video/audio content and devise new, innovative ways of improving our video offering.

The Deputy Political Editor will also routinely engage in quality control of political journalism on the Irish Independent website, ensuring our audiences see the best representation of our journalism.

Role Responsibilities (Overview)

• Create, write and edit up-to-date, accurate, balanced and engaging multimedia political content for Mediahuis Ireland publications. In particular the candidate will ensure the Sunday Independent has exclusive political coverage and insights.
• Assist with the management of Politics Teams, including team building, rosters and the growing of talent.
• React quickly, accurately and professionally to breaking news, keeping stories updated across digital and social platforms.
• Work across the wider politics teams and liaise with the news desk and editors in coordinating coverage.
• Consistently break major political/news stories and write agenda-setting analysis.
• Create, develop and organise major projects, stories and supplements that will increase reader engagement.
• Develop new methods of coverage for politics on a cross-platform basis to drive traffic and engagement online. This could include audio, video and social media.
• Work to ensure all major news is broken on Mediahuis’ digital platforms
• Write SEO-friendly headlines where necessary.
• Copy editing.
• Engage with the Audience Desk to help the Irish Independent achieve relevant targets – particularly in relation to politics.
• Carry out your duties at all times in accordance with Mediahuis’ Editorial Code of Practice and relevant professional and legal codes

Experience & Qualifications (Minimum Experience & Essential Knowledge)

• Proven experience as a politics reporter, with demonstrated ability to break news and write agenda-setting commentary.
• An outstanding grasp of Irish and global politics.
• Experience working in an online environment
• A demonstrated ability to manage talent and operate in the best strategic interests of the newsroom.

• Proven experience as a politics reporter, with demonstrated ability to break news and write agenda-setting commentary.
• An outstanding grasp of Irish and global politics.
• Experience working in an online environment
• A demonstrated ability to manage talent and operate in the best strategic interests of the newsroom.

Skills (technical & non-technical)

Technical & Non-Technical

• Written / Digital journalism
• Copy editing
• Ability in Audio/Video
• Broad general knowledge an understanding of the news agenda across news, politics, business, entertainment and sport.
• News judgement
• Managing a wide and varied mix of stories
• Use social media and other digital tools to source news information and to promote our journalism.
• Leadership – Ability to inspire other team memberships through your work ethic and attitude.
• Team player - working with other journalists and editors to manage situations.
• Meet rolling deadlines
• Organisation – ability to plan towards deadlines
• Excellent knowledge of libel law
• Ability to represent the titles in a positive manner on broadcast media and at external events as necessary

Other

• Passion for journalism
• Creative Flair
• Ability to work at speed and under pressure
• Ability to Conceptualise
• Self-starting and shows initiative
• Accuracy, fairness, balance, commitment
• Flexibility / willingness to adapt
• Detail Oriented
• Effective Collaboration
• Learning Agility

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