Reporter

Overview

Job Title: Reporter

Brand: Planning

Reporting To: Deputy Editor

Location: Twickenham, Greater London

Hybrid: 3 days per week in the office, 2 days working remotely

Employment: Permanent, Full-Time

Salary Range: £28,000 - £31,000 per annum

About The Job

Working within Planning (Energy and Environment)

Planning is the leading source of independent intelligence about the UK planning system, providing trusted news, data, insight and analysis to planning professionals. With more than 11,000 paying users, Planning is one of Haymarket Professional’s highest-earning brands and plays an important role in helping professionals navigate a complex and constantly evolving sector.

The team produces a range of editorial content across the website, daily and weekly newsletters, the award-winning Room 106 podcast, data-led journalism and longer-form reports and analysis. Working within a specialist editorial team, you will have the opportunity to develop your understanding of the planning sector, build your reporting skills and industry contacts, and contribute to trusted, high-quality content for a professional audience.

The Role

• As a reporter, you will produce accurate, engaging and well-informed news and analysis that keeps Planning’s audience informed and helps them do their jobs effectively. You will be responsible for identifying and pursuing stories, monitoring a wide range of sources and developing relationships with contacts across the planning and wider built environment sectors.
• The role offers variety across news reporting, data analysis, research, podcasting and longer-form content. You will contribute to Planning’s Room 106 podcast, produce data-led stories and support the development of market and data reports, while ensuring content is delivered accurately and to deadline.
• You will also play an important role in developing Planning’s coverage and audience by identifying original, off-diary stories and new opportunities for editorial content. As you build your knowledge and confidence, you will develop a strong network of contacts, contribute ideas to the wider editorial team and help maintain the high standards of journalism that Planning’s audience expects.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Research, write and deliver accurate, engaging and well-informed news and analysis to deadline, ensuring content meets Planning’s editorial standards.
• Generate original and off-diary stories by monitoring a wide range of sources, following up leads, developing contacts and identifying opportunities for exclusive coverage.
• Build and maintain a strong network of contacts across the planning, property, development, local government and wider built environment sectors.
• Develop stories through research, interviews, data analysis and investigation, ensuring reporting is supported by accurate and reliable information.
• Analyse data and produce data-led news, analysis and editorial content that provides valuable insight for Planning’s professional audience.
• Contribute to Planning’s weekly Room 106 podcast, including researching topics, identifying contributors and supporting preparation and production.
• Research and contribute to in-depth market reports, data reports and other longer-form editorial projects.
• Monitor local government planning activity and maintain relevant tracker services, ensuring information remains accurate, timely and useful to subscribers.
• Contribute ideas to the wider editorial team and help shape Planning’s coverage in response to developments across the sector and the interests of its audience.
• Represent Planning professionally at relevant industry events, meetings and other external opportunities, building relationships and developing the brand’s profile.
• Use social media and other digital platforms appropriately to support the distribution and reach of Planning’s editorial content.
• Work collaboratively with editorial colleagues and, where appropriate, commercial and events teams to support the wider success and development of the brand.

Key Relationships

The role reports to the deputy editor and works closely with the deputy news editor and wider editorial team. You will also build relationships with external contacts across the planning and built environment sectors and work collaboratively with colleagues across commercial and events teams where appropriate.

Skills / Experience / Knowledge / Minimum Criteria

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Knowledge

• An interest in planning, the built environment, local government and the wider political and regulatory environment.
• Understanding of the principles of accurate, balanced and responsible journalism.
• Awareness of how data, research and industry insight can be used to inform and strengthen editorial content.
• An understanding of the needs and interests of a professional B2B audience.

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and accurately.
• Strong research and interviewing skills, with the ability to identify relevant information, ask effective questions and develop stories.
• A keen eye for detail and a strong commitment to accuracy and editorial quality.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data and use spreadsheets to support research and reporting.
• Strong organisation and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple stories, priorities and deadlines.
• Confident building and maintaining relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to use digital and social media platforms effectively to support editorial content and audience engagement.
• A proactive approach to identifying stories, developing ideas and taking ownership of work.

Experience

• An NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in journalism, an MA degree in journalism or at least one year’s employment as a reporter for a commercial news outlet is required.
• A degree of 2:1 level or above
• Experience of journalism, reporting or editorial work, including student journalism, would be beneficial but is not essential.
• Evidence of pursuing stories, projects or opportunities with persistence and initiative.
• Experience of working to deadlines and managing competing priorities through work, study, journalism or extracurricular activities.
• Experience of developing relationships with contacts, researching topics or producing original written content would be advantageous.

About You

• Is curious and asks great questions.
• Is tenacious and follows stories through.
• Has a strong eye for detail.
• Takes pride in accurate, high-quality work.
• Is organised and meets deadlines.
• Takes initiative and shares ideas.
• Builds strong relationships with others.
• Adapts well to changing priorities.
• Is keen to learn and develop as a reporter.

What Success Looks Like

How will success in this role typically be measured?

• Producing accurate, engaging and well-written journalism consistently and to deadline.
• Developing a strong understanding of the planning sector and building a valuable network of industry contacts.
• Generating original, off-diary stories and contributing ideas that strengthen Planning’s editorial coverage.
• Producing high-quality data-led, podcast and longer-form content that provides value to Planning’s professional audience.
• Maintaining accurate and timely tracker services and effectively monitoring relevant sources.
• Building confidence and independence as a reporter while contributing positively to the wider editorial team.
• Demonstrating a growing understanding of Planning’s audience and using this to inform relevant, useful and engaging editorial content.

Additional Information

Why work with us at Haymarket?

Haymarket Media Group values its people and strives to shape a better future with remarkable content. From paid content and subscription services; to integrated advertising and content marketing packages. We deliver market-leading branded experiences that inspire great decisions. From data and digital information solutions to live events, awards and professional education services.

Our company benefits:

• 25 days holiday per year excluding bank holidays (increasing one day per year of service up to 30 days)
• Work from anywhere in the world for up to three weeks of the year with our ‘Work from Anywhere’ days
• Flexible working hours (core hours from 10-3) allowing you the flexibility to adapt your work schedule to your personal commitments
• Generous contributory pension scheme
• Health Cash Plans: With our health cash plans, you can access a range of healthcare benefits, including coverage for medical expenses, dental care, optical services, and more

Disability Confident Employer

We are a Disability Confident employer and offer guaranteed interviews to all disabled applicants who meet the above minimum criteria.

To be considered as part of this initiative, please ensure you indicate if you have a disability when applying for the post. If you need any reasonable adjustments to enable you to fully participate in the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].

More about Haymarket

Working here means being part of a commitment to shaping a better future. As a proudly Certified B Corp™, we are part of a global movement of businesses acting as a force for good. Haymarket Impact is focused on making a positive difference globally, guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and intertwined with an unwavering commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This commitment to balancing profit with purpose is deeply embedded in our culture, reflected in our values of Integrity, Respect, Creativity, Innovation, and Expertise.

We invest heavily in our people. From professional development and internal training to mentorship and coaching. Our certified Disability Confident status has fostered an environment where all employees feel supported, valued, and can ask for workplace adjustments without fear of judgment.

Our valuable partnerships for good globally mean colleagues are always up for taking on a new charitable challenge, utilise their volunteering day and go out of their way to support their local communities.

We know how important a healthy work-life balance is too. Our flexible hours and hybrid working model means employees are expected to be in the office at least three days a week and can work remotely for the remaining two. This means we thrive together when we collaborate in person, fostering stronger connections and creativity, but still allowing for flexibility outside of those times.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to ensuring all candidates have the same opportunity to succeed, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, or disability. In line with our dedication to fairness and transparency, we are also proud to be a We Show the Salary employer, pledging to always include pay details on our job adverts.

Join us and be part of award-winning teams and a culture that is truly unique - a place to grow, feel inspired, build a brilliant career and make a difference.