Head of Breaking News

Role purpose and overview

The Head of Breaking News is one of the most senior editors on the news desk. 

They are responsible for overseeing a team of editors and reporters who monitor, identify, verify, commission and publish breaking news. This will initially focus on domestic news. 

This system has to operate across the whole day to publish stories as quickly as possible and then build these stories up to the highest standard. 

They must work closely with the National News Editor and Homepage team to flag the biggest emerging stories. They will also need to form strong relationships with other departments to coordinate coverage when stories cross into different areas. 

They are responsible for monitoring live coverage such as live blogs and deciding with publishers the right format for breaking news stories. This includes working closely with the picture desk, video desk and graphics. 

The Head of Breaking News will be asked for snap updates by more senior editors, and be expected to give clear direction to more junior colleagues to ensure stories are filed and published quickly. 

The role requires someone who is passionate about news, is energetic and motivating. They must be able to stay calm under pressure and deliver fast paced news coverage to the highest standard.

Key responsibilities

• Establishing and maintaining a system to identify, verify, commission and publish breaking news across the whole day. 
• Judging and justifying which stories are covered and which are not. 
• Communicating big breaking news to the National News Editor and Home Page. 
• Managing and developing a team of editors and reporters to ensure the Telegraph’s coverage of breaking news is fast, accurate and of the highest standard. This includes working closely with publishers. 
• Managing live blogs. 
• Establishing and managing a ‘listening’ team to ensure wires, social media and rivals are monitored for news and newslines.

Key skills

• Experience of news editing for a national newspaper or equivalent is essential. 
• Exceptional news judgement is essential. 
• An ability to work and make decisions under pressure, including communicating with more senior and junior colleagues in that environment is essential.
• Experience presenting to senior editors is essential. 
• Knowledge of media law and Ipso guidelines is essential. 
• An ability to make independent decisions is essential. 
• An ability to communicate instructions clearly under pressure, ensure these are delivered and that relevant feedback is given is essential. 
• Able to form strong relationships with other news editors, reporters and publishers is essential. 
• It is vital to embrace digital content and creative ways to tell news stories to an online audience. Prior experience of this is essential. 
• Strong ability to edit articles clearly, concisely and to house style is essential.
• Good organisational skills - able to keep multiple projects on track and stakeholders up to date - are essential.
• An ability to motivate others to work to high standards under pressure is essential. 
• An ability to address potential conflicts which have an impact on delivery targets and respond to shifting priorities is essential.
• Previous management experience is desirable.

Our benefits

The nature of our industry means life at the Telegraph Media Group is fast-paced, demanding, and interesting. We also want it to be rewarding for everyone who works here by creating a suite of benefits that contribute to lifestyle choices and leisure activities. From dynamic working opportunities, medical cover, and parental leave (six months fully paid maternity leave and enhanced paternity/partner leave), to life assurance and season ticket loans, you can choose from a range of flexible benefits, designed to support your lifestyle and help you achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Training and development

With support from your manager and colleagues, you’ll also have access to a variety of training and development opportunities through The Academy. Covering a range of personal and professional skills, our courses enable you to develop an enjoyable and rewarding career.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Telegraph Media Group, we foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and we are committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of skills, perspectives and backgrounds. We believe in equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

We are proud to be a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader as part of the government’s Disability Confident Scheme. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition and would like support in applying for any of our roles or if you require any reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process with us, please make us aware.

To find out more about Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Telegraph Media Group, and for more information on our purpose, beliefs, and people values, please visit our website.