Commissioning Editor - Live Features

About The Role

A member of the features desk who plays an active role in creating clever zeitgeisty features which will spring from the news and lifestyle agenda and will appeal to the Telegraph audience.

To thrive in this role, you will be someone bursting with ideas and will assume responsibility for generating innovative features. You will have an extensive contacts book and proven record of working in a busy news environment commissioning the best talent with the ability to publish their pieces optimally across all platforms.

This candidate will have a confident manner and will be able to pitch to the Head of Features, Head of Live Features and Editor when required. They will have a fantastic contact book and know exactly who to commission for the right piece; and also have the character to thrive in a fast paced news environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Come up with and commission brilliant, original, digital-first ideas with clever feature spins across multiple platforms , that help us reach our publishing performance targets.
• Responsible for commissioning and editing copy generated in house and from freelancers, across a broad spectrum of subjects, but notably fun zeitgeisty packages, case study and first person led pieces and human interest features.
• Have good relationships with writers, including those who excel at first person and human interest features.
• Liaise with the teams across the Telegraph to ensure that all features opportunities are covered and are published optimally.
• Be on top of the news agenda and generate innovative, original and entertaining angles for the stories of the day.
• Liaise with Telegraph features columnists, helping to generate column ideas and edit their work, as required.
• Have and develop strong relationships with book publishers; broadcast PRs and agents to secure a series of exclusives for the Telegraph.
• Attend conferences with senior editors to discuss ideas, as required.

Key Skills

• Ideas: the candidate must have an endless stream of brilliant creative ideas which can be spun from the news agenda and will really speak to a Telegraph audience.
• Communication: confidence when pitching to editors or ideas to writers in a way which will engage at the highest level.
• Contacts: it will be essential to know how to cast stories brilliantly and have a contacts book bursting with brilliant writing talent who can be called on to come up with intelligent reads for a Telegraph Audience.
• Copy editing: the candidate must be able to edit features articles and columns with flair and to a high standard.
• Ability to work at speed: it is essential the candidate has extensive experience of working in a fast paced news environment.
• Be a team player: role model positive behaviour within the features team and across the newsroom.
• Digital expertise: It is essential to think digital first and have an understanding of the Telegraph’s subscription model.

Our benefits

The nature of our industry means life at the Telegraph Media Group is fast-paced, demanding, and interesting. We also want it to be rewarding for everyone who works here by creating a suite of benefits that contribute to lifestyle choices and leisure activities. From dynamic working opportunities, medical cover, and parental leave (six months fully paid maternity leave and enhanced paternity/partner leave), to life assurance and season ticket loans, you can choose from a range of flexible benefits, designed to support your lifestyle and help you achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Training and development

With support from your manager and colleagues, you’ll also have access to a variety of training and development opportunities through The Academy. Covering a range of personal and professional skills, our courses enable you to develop an enjoyable and rewarding career.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Telegraph Media Group, we foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and we are committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of skills, perspectives and backgrounds. We believe in equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

We are proud to be a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader as part of the government’s Disability Confident Scheme. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition and would like support in applying for any of our roles or if you require any reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process with us, please make us aware.

To find out more about Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Telegraph Media Group, and for more information on our purpose, beliefs, and people values, please visit our website.