Lead breaking-news coverage across Birmingham: rapidly respond to live incidents, source stories via contacts and social media, use AI and analytics to refine angles, produce accurate digital copy and video, present on camera, meet audience growth and page‑view targets while upholding media law and editorial standards.
News doesn’t wait and neither will you. We're looking for an ambitious and driven senior reporter who’s ready to react – with a hunger for breaking stories. When something happens, you want to be first and fast.
This is a fast-paced digital role at the heart of our newsroom, responding to major incidents such as crime, transport disruption and developing stories as they happen.
You’ll be a proven reporter with pace, authority and a bulging contacts book, who knows how Birmingham works and where stories really come from.
This is one of the UK’s biggest, busiest and most competitive news patches and we need someone highly motivated with a desire to turn information into high-impact journalism that audiences want to read.
This role combines hard‑nosed reporting with smart use of AI tools. You’ll use AI to move faster, spot trends, refine angles and scale output – but your judgement, contacts and ideas will always be the driving force. We want someone who understands how to use technology to enhance – not replace – their news sense.
You’ll be expected to be across your patch, setting the tone and finding the best stories – analysing what works and what doesn’t for our audiences and adapting in real time. You'll be excellent at using social media to find pictures and video of live incidents, as well as getting quotes and taking your own video from the scene, and be comfortable in front of the camera on Facebook Live.
Above all, you’ll be trusted to deliver accurate, legally sound, cutting edge journalism that reflects the West Midlands in all its complexity and speaks directly to its communities.
Key Responsibilities
- Break the news across Birmingham 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
- Confidence shooting and presenting video to camera
- 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
- Consistently hit and exceed page‑view and audience growth targets
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- NCTJ diploma or equivalent
- Significant experience as a digital reporter, ideally on a major regional or city patch
- Proven track record of breaking stories and developing exclusives
- A strong, active contacts book and the confidence to cultivate new sources quickly
- Sharp news judgement and the ability to spot stories others miss
- Excellent digital writing and editing skills, with headlines that cut through
- Deep knowledge of UK media law and the Editors’ Code of Conduct
- Energy, resilience and authority in a fast‑paced, competitive newsroom
- Confidence using data and analytics to drive editorial decision
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
A name you can trust - we’ve been a part of your community for generations.LOCALiQ is the name for all that Newsquest Media Group does today, from trusted local newspapers and websites to digital marketing services that can help you reach new customers as you’ve never been able to before.LOCALiQ is the name that combines your trusted local news brand with digital marketing.It hasn’t replaced the name of your local Newsquest newspaper and its website, but it encompasses everything we can offer.Those services include online advertising and best-in-class digital marketing, backed by data gathered from our 1.5 million local campaigns and 45 million monthly users.Put our experts to work for you, and we believe you’re hiring the best marketing partner a business can have.
Newsquest Media Group London, England Office
55/56 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, United Kingdom, WC2A 3LJ
Similar Jobs
Information Technology • Software • Financial Services • Quantitative Trading
11-week internship performing quantitative research to develop, backtest, and implement automated trading strategies. Translate mathematical models into code, analyze unconventional data sources, conduct statistical research (ML, time-series, NLP), and collaborate with senior researchers to refine trading signals and monetize models.
Top Skills:
C++Machine LearningNlpPythonRTime-Series Analysis
Information Technology • Software • Financial Services • Quantitative Trading
The intern will work on developing high-performance research platforms, create tools for trading strategies, and collaborate with teams to innovate financial technology.
Top Skills:
Distributed ComputingMachine LearningNatural Language Processing
Artificial Intelligence • Big Data • Cloud • Information Technology • Machine Learning • Software
Lead and execute channel growth across Europe: build executive partner relationships, recruit and enable partners, drive joint GTM, coach a regional channel team, and collaborate cross-functionally to accelerate revenue and measurable partner success.
What you need to know about the London Tech Scene
London isn't just a hub for established businesses; it's also a nursery for innovation. Boasting one of the most recognized fintech ecosystems in Europe, attracting billions in investments each year, London's success has made it a go-to destination for startups looking to make their mark. Top U.K. companies like Hoptin, Moneybox and Marshmallow have already made the city their base — yet fintech is just the beginning. From healthtech to renewable energy to cybersecurity and beyond, the city's startups are breaking new ground across a range of industries.
