Audience Editor

Job Title: Audience Editor

Reporting to: Head of Audience

Location: Dublin, Ireland (Hybrid Working) 

Contract: Fixed Term, 2 Years

Job Type: Full-Time - This role requires flexible working across a day-roster.

About us:

The Irish Times has delivered top quality news, opinion and analysis since it was first published in 1859. As media technologies evolve, so do our methods of storytelling and delivery. The Irish Times continues the transition from print to multi-platform publication, while upholding the journalistic principles that earned it the reputation as Ireland's paper of reference.

In recent years, the Irish Times Group expanded its interests to include the Irish Examiner, The Echo, Regional newspapers and Radio stations in addition to the Citywest print facility, the property website MyHome.ie, recruitment website RecruitIreland.com, news website BreakingNews.ie, and Irish Times Training.

Job Purpose:

Audience Editors form an essential part of our digital output by promoting Irish Times journalism across all of our digital platforms. This fast-paced role involves posting to our social media channels in different formats, search engine optimisation, homepage management and working on newsletters and push notifications, as well as longer-term projects. Digital innovation is central to this role which requires sharp editorial judgement and creative flair.

Core responsibilities

• Promotion and management of our journalism: Manage the flow of journalism on our digital platforms, including social media promotion, homepage management, headline testing, editorial SEO best practice, to maximise the reach of our reporting and grow our subscriber base. Keeping abreast of changes in search and social, and developing strategies to respond is a core component.
• Multimedia enhancement: Enhance and promote our digital publishing through strategic story placement, promotion, and inclusion of links, graphics, and other multimedia elements such as picture galleries and audio/video content.
• Digital platform oversight: Assist senior members of the team in the management of The Irish Times digital platforms and collaborate across all editorial departments on live news coverage and strategic projects. This includes everything from selecting and writing news alert text, to helping select the lead story on the homepage.
• Reader engagement: Assist with the distribution of reader products, including compiling and sending digests, email newsletters, and push notifications.
• Social media strategy implementation: Actively participate in the development and implementation of our social media strategy, including growing social video, with a specific focus on adapting content for and engaging audiences.
• Additional duties: Perform other relevant duties as required by the Head of Audience or Deputy Head of Audience.
• Communication and technology: Demonstrate excellent communication skills, flexibility, and proficiency with the latest technologies as part of a multi-skilled team.

Qualifications and experience:

• Editorial and digital Skills: Sharp editorial judgment with a strong track record in digital journalism (minimum three years) is essential. Expertise in one or more of social media publishing and development, editorial SEO, video editing, data analysis, data journalism, or graphic design would be an advantage.
• Social media proficiency: Strong capability in editing and managing visual and video content for video-only social channels, alongside strong experience of social media platforms.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team: Ability to work on one's own initiative and within a fast-paced team environment is required. Evidence of excellent organisational skills, creativity, and the ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines are essential.
• Interpersonal skills: Excellent interpersonal and team-working skills are essential to collaborate effectively across various departments and with external partners to meet deadlines and targets.

The successful candidate will have a dynamic approach to both immediate and long-term content goals and a love of journalism. The individual will have the opportunity to work in decision-making roles on live news and on longer-term strategic projects. The ideal candidate will thrive working in a culture of testing, experimentation and innovation and will be quick to grasp new technologies.