Who we are:
Every day hundreds of stories, images and videos from SWNS are published and broadcast across the national and international media.
They are created by a team of dedicated journalists, photographers, videographers and editors based across the UK who are passionate about real, original stories.
We combine traditional reporting with the best content-gathering techniques for digital and social media to produce a news wire that drives millions of views every day.
Our journalists cover breaking news, court cases, amazing human interest stories, consumer issues, health studies, scientific breakthroughs, stunning imagery and viral videos.
SWNS clients are some of the biggest news publishers and TV shows in the world – including the Sun, Mirror, Daily Record, Daily Mail, Times, TMZ, Telegraph, New York Post, and Have I Got News For You.
Who we’re looking for:
We are looking for a reporter to source and create content which will be used by the biggest online publishers in the world.
Applicants should have experience covering breaking news and human interest and working up stories for a news publication.
You will have experience generating your own stories, but will also be able to work as a team - to a brief from a news-editor and undertake commissions for national newspapers and websites.
Experience of court reporting would be an advantage, though not essential.
The ideal candidate will need to be aware of significant events and dates on their patch and will be expected to inform senior staff when they arise, as well as keeping track of their own stories as they develop.
This requires maturity and impressive interview skills. You must be inquisitive and interested in the lives of people who might be very different to you.
Editors will look to you to gain and share your knowledge of the newest social media tools or latest TikTok or X trend.
You should be able to develop your own stories thanks to sourcing skills you already have and will learn.
You must be a team player. Organisation skills are a must. You will be juggling of stories every day, so you must be organised and disciplined.
You must be passionate about succeeding in the role. It’s hard work, but immensely fun.
The role:
The successful candidate will cover the best stories in the South West of England as well as assisting other teams across the UK.
It will be a mix of working on stories assigned to you and those sourced yourself.
You will be desk-based for some of the time – telephone interview skills and social media sourcing are vital – but will also regularly cover stories out in the patch.
Social media skills are essential. You should know your way around all the platforms – and how to use them to source stories.
An NCTJ qualification / similar and shorthand would be preferable but not essential. You must have a clean driving licence and a car.
Additional information
SWNS is a National Living Wage employer.
We are an inclusive employer that values diversity in its workforce. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences.
Recent studies show most UK journalism industry professionals come from white ethnic groups (92%) and from professional or upper-class backgrounds (80%). We want to continue to do our part to change this and welcome candidates from all backgrounds.
SWNS also has a generous and growing list of employee benefits, including:
- We also have generous and growing list of employee benefits, including:
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Health Cash Plan – reimbursement on a number of health services
- Gym Discounts
- Employee Assistance Programme
- GP Anytime
- Holiday Entitlement: 25 days (+ Bank Holidays) per year
- Hybrid Working
- Enhanced Maternity Pay
- Life Assurance
- Enhanced Paternity Pay – 4 weeks full pay
- Contribution towards homeworking equipment
- Company-wide Summer Event and Christmas Party
- Paid Bereavement / Compassionate Leave
- Railcard reimbursement for regular travellers for work
- Sick Pay
- Your birthday off
- Subscription to Furthr
- Salary Sacrifice EV Car Scheme
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please ensure you submit your application as early as possible.
Thank you to everyone for taking the time to apply for this position and for your interest in joining our team.
Whilst we do our utmost to reply individually to all applicants, this may not always be possible due to a high volume of applications we often receive. If you’ve not heard from us within four weeks after the closing date for this advert, please presume your application has, unfortunately, not been successful on this occasion. Once again, we appreciate your interest in SWNS.
Pay: £26,500.00-£27,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Bereavement leave
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bristol BS34 7JU
