We’re looking for a Trainee Reporter to join our team at BirminghamLive. We are already one of Reach’s biggest brands in the Midlands with our team who specialise in brilliant, detailed, ambitious and entertaining storytelling.

Our journalists love writing in-depth investigative pieces that we know our audience will engage with and remember the brand for, as well as more-light hearted stories to bring a smile to your face in these trying times. You will have a real passion for Birmingham and the surrounding areas.

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.

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 in our Birmingham office, we are therefore open to candidates based in and around Birmingham.

What will the role involve?

You will write and develop stories that are of interest to our readers in Birmingham and the surrounding areas, with great pictures and engaging video. You will deliver a fast turnaround on stories about local communities which engage as many readers as possible with exclusive stories that set us apart from our rivals. All while ensuring that every piece of content is researched and published in accordance with the Editor’s Code of practice. You will be confident using a range of digital formats and quickly identify breaking news by utilising social media.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates who ideally have the NCTJ preliminary or equivalent, you have the ability to be bold, confident and to be comfortable meeting people face to face, developing a strong contacts book.  You will have some experience of working within journalism and a strong can-do attitude.

You have first rate editing and writing skills, relish the test of working under pressure and to tight deadlines. You’re social media savvy with current SEO knowledge and ideally you're familiar with newsroom analytics and content management systems. You’re flexible, inquisitive and are on the pulse of what makes a great story!

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.