We are looking for a new Head of Sport to spearhead our Manchester Evening News editorial sports strategy.

You will be responsible for leading and inspiring our talented Manchester sports team to enhance and advance our website and newspaper coverage and to engage with audiences across a range of other digital platforms. 

The ideal candidate will be creative and open-minded with strong leadership skills and a proven track record of excelling within digital sports publishing. 

Reporting to the Head of Sport (Regionals), this is a pivotal role in ensuring the Manchester Evening News is the go-to place for all fans of the Manchester sporting landscape. 

We know sports media across the UK needs to be more representative of the fans who read our journalism. We particularly want to hear from people who feel their voice isn't being heard in sports journalism, and who want to play a leading role in helping to shape a more inclusive future for sports journalism.

So, who are we?

We are Reach Plc, you might not have heard of us but we have probably met without you even realising it. We are home to the UK and Ireland’s most iconic digital platforms, magazines and newspapers. From the Mirror, Daily Express and OK!, to our regional titles such as the Liverpool Echo, BirminghamLive and the Manchester Evening News (plus lots more), our brands and the stories we cover are as varied as our people. We help all kinds of people share experiences through our stories because we believe this is what makes us human.

Oh, and we should probably also mention that with a monthly readership of 47 million people, Reach is the largest commercial publisher in the UK. At Reach, not only will you feel better understood, you will also feel you understand other people better too.

We are happy to consider applications on a flexible working basis, and will always aim to accommodate requests where possible.

This role is home and hub based linked to our Manchester Hub, with a minimum of 2 days in office. We are therefore open to candidates based in and around Manchester or open to relocating.

What will the role involve?

With the onus on delivering original and engaging Manchester United and Manchester City content in written, audio and visual form, a knowledge of Manchester's world-renowned football clubs is crucial, as is the ability to identify and capitalise upon other sporting opportunities from across the patch. 

You will need to know your way around audience analytics, using data and insights to shape priorities and come equipped with a fresh approach and a detailed understanding of the content that will engage fans in 2024 and beyond - plus how and when they want to consume it.

Understanding Manchester's place as one of the jewels in the Reach network's crown, you will share and apply best practice from and help shape and implement a successful sports function.

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

• Delivering audience targets on our Manchester Evening News website and other KPIs
• Overseeing the planning and execution of content across the team
• Accelerating the growth of our developing Manchester United and Manchester City podcast and YouTube brands, including exploring other revenue platforms
• Helping us diversify our revenue streams, particularly around Premium content and Affiliates
• Overseeing performance development for the M.E.N sports team, including mentoring and developing editors and writers 
• Supporting regional sport's senior leadership team to explore and deliver continued growth 
• Driving the brand visibility and audience engagement strategy of M.E.N. sport
• Driving the day-to-day operations of the brand and supporting the development of all members of the team
• Acting as a key liaison between the sports desk, the rest of the M.E.N. newsroom and the wider Reach network
• Applying best practice in delivering our content across multiple referral channels
• Ensuring all work at all times conforms to Reach PLC policies and procedures

Who are we looking for?

An experienced people manager and journalist with your NCTJ or equivalent qualification and exceptional media law knowledge who can ensure all content is legally and IPSO compliant. 

You will be a capable, assured and experienced digital sport media expert and will ideally have experience working at a national or regional level. You will manage a talented, driven team with ease, and be able to support and direct in a pressured environment.  You must have a minimum of  3 years experience as a people manager.

You have a sharp eye for sports stories and are ready to make necessary choices, with the ability and personality to inspire and motivate the team. You have first rate communication skills, both written and verbal, a strong understanding of the unique nature of digital news along with a genuine passion for breaking stories and to present them in the best possible way across multiple platforms.

You will have a proven track record of growing and cultivating large digital audiences, expert knowledge of audience analytics and a genuine passion and ideas for digital sports content. 

What can we offer you?

We are offering a competitive salary and benefits including;

• Help saving for your retirement - join our pension scheme and well match contributions up to 6%
• 25 days holiday per year when you join. After three, five and ten years service with Reach, youll accrue one additional day of annual leave. We also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Giving back day - an additional days leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
• Enhanced family leave - including maternity, paternity and adoption - and youll be eligible after just six months employment
• Private Healthcare Cash Plan - free health cash plan so you can claim back cash for a range of medical expenses
• As one of the UKs top 50 Inclusive Employers everyones invited to join our events, programmes and networks to celebrate diversity and build an environment where all our people can thrive
• Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP) for you and your nearest and dearest
• Awesome career opportunities - youll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes
• We are also a member of the 30% Club, a global campaign aimed at increasing gender diversity at board and senior management levels

Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.