Head of News

The Role

The Role

The Head of News will be responsible for driving topical and human interest content across This Morning, Lorraine and Loose Women. Responsible for managing the news team, they will use initiative and tenacity to drive bids for stories and guests, lead on forward planning, make key contributions in editorial meetings and ensure compliance with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. The role will also involve regularly deputising for the Editor and Deputy Editor and leading key editorial meetings. As well as the news team, the Head of News will also line manage the entertainment team and the phone in producer.

Key Responsibilities

• Line manages the Senior News Producer and News Producers, the entertainment team and the phone in producer, overseeing the performance, development and appraisal of all direct reports.
• Deputise for the Editor and Deputy Editor in presenter meetings, debriefs and in the gallery during the live show.
• Drive bids for high-profile, newsmaking guests.
• Lead on forward planning, anticipating the need for editorial coverage.
• Present options for topical and human interest stories in daily editorial meetings.
• Distribute stories/workload to the news team and keep across progress.
• Keep across and flag relevant developing/breaking news throughout the day.
• Liaise with producers/dayteams on stories and latest updates.
• Ensure stories are legally sound and have been through the appropriate legal/duty of care checks.
• Oversee booking of contributors for Morning View.
• Maintain and develop an impressive network of useful contacts.
• Oversee the staffing and rota patterns of the news team.

Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria)

• Experienced journalist with a track-record of working at a senior level on a live news/topical programme.
• A history of consistently beating the competition to secure exclusive guests and stories.
• Experience of successfully leading and managing a team.
• Existing relationships with an extensive network of contacts and the ability to build new relationships.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Experience of outputting or overseeing output of a live programme in the gallery.
• Excellent knowledge of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.

Additional Information

• The shift pattern will include regular Sundays and bank holidays.

Please ensure that your CV and application clearly evidences how you meet the minimum criteria outlined in the job description.

Please note, on occasion we may receive a very large volume of applications which means applications for a role may close earlier than the referenced closing date. We’d encourage you to apply as soon as possible if interested.