Are you ready to contribute to one of the country’s top regional news organisations, delivering impactful stories to a dedicated audience? The Sentinel, CheshireLive and StokeonTrentLive are committed to expanding our digital reach, and we are seeking talented journalists to be part of this exciting initiative.

We’re looking for a Reporter to join our Stoke-on-TrentLive & CheshireLive team who possesses a strong affinity for news and a deep connection to our region, encompassing the city as well as North Staffordshire and Cheshire. 

We’re looking for fresh ideas and new perspectives from people from a wide range of backgrounds, and we want you to tell us the stories you believe are important from our many communities so we can continue to diversify our content.

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. 

This role is home based however due to the nature of the role, you will need to be based in or around Stoke-on-Trent.

What will the role involve?

You will source, write and publish engaging digital news content, covering live news, breaking news and off-diary stories with equal levels of tenacity and professionalism. You will work hard to understand the patch, telling stories that reflect local people and play your part in ensuring these stories reach as many people as possible. You will tell stories in many different ways, including (but not limited to) real-time live blogs, article format, video, audio and pictures.

You will get out and about in your patch, interviewing sources, taking pictures and filming video content to support your stories. You will utilise various social media platforms to build audiences and communities, ensuring content is shared across major platforms including but not limited to Facebook and X. This position will involve working shifts on a rota basis including some weekends and evenings, so a flexible approach is required.

Who are we looking for?

• NCTJ qualification, equivalent journalism degree or relevant time served in journalism and knowledge of media law is essential
• You have proven experience in local journalism and reporting in a similar newsroom environment
• A journalist who knows the power of words, pictures, video and social media and knows how to use them to maximum effect
• Excellent local knowledge of Stoke-on-Trent and the ability to travel efficiently across your patch, allowing you to be first on the scene
• The ability to be bold and comfortable meeting or interviewing people face to face, developing a strong contacts book
• A journalist with an instinct for a good story, who'll bring in their own exclusives and set the day's news agenda
• The ability to write in multiple styles - from hard news investigations to features and profile pieces
• Someone who knows what readers want, and knows how to find, develop and create the kind of content that's relevant to our ever-growing audience

What can we offer you?

We are offering a competitive salary, and benefits including:

• Help saving for your retirement - join our pension scheme and we’ll match contributions up to 6%
• 25 days’ holiday per year when you join. After three, five and ten years’ service with Reach, you’ll accrue one additional day of annual leave. We also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Giving back day - an additional day’s leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
• Enhanced family leave - including maternity, paternity and adoption - and you’ll 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 UK’s top 50 Inclusive Employers everyone’s 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 - you’ll 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.