Executive Editor - BristolLive (6 month FTC)

We are looking for an Executive Editor to join us at BristolLive on a 6 month fixed term contract to cover a Family Leave.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced editor or senior content editor with a strong track record of leadership to take a pivotal operational role leading our BristolLive brand team.

You will lead the day-to-day operations of the newsdesk, playing a leading role in shaping BristolLive’s brand values, workflows, people and content. You will be responsible for delivering agile, high-impact content that informs, inspires, indulges, and empowers our readers in their local lives, while driving consistent and sustainable audience growth across all key metrics.

About us

Hello, we’re Reach. Every day, our trusted news, stories and content connect with millions of people where they live - whether that’s on their social feed or at their neighbourhood newsstand; through their local community or their take on the hot topic of the day.

We're home to more than 120 trusted brands - from household names like the Mirror, Express, Daily Star and Daily Record, to local titles like MyLondon, BelfastLive, and the Manchester Evening News, and brands making a splash in the US like the Irish Star.

It's our ability to understand people and the things that matter to them that makes us the UK and Ireland's largest commercial news publisher. We reach 70% of the UK's online population and speak to over 100 million social followers around the world. And we’re just getting started…

Your story, with Reach

As a modern media organisation, we're much more than just news. And it takes a wide range of people and skills to serve diverse audiences, customers and communities like we do.

We know everyone has their own story to tell, so we’ve built an environment where every background is respected and every day is a day to explore.

We’ll help you build a career that works with your life, while giving you the space to create and grow.

What will the role involve?

• Lead Newsdesk Operations: Take a primary leadership role on the BristolLive newsdesk, shaping team operations, processes, content, and brand values.

• Drive Audience Targets: Partner with the Senior Editor and senior colleagues to achieve consistent, sustainable audience growth and deliver monthly key targets.

• Content Creation & Senior Editing: Ensure content is published quickly, accurately, and legally (IPSO compliant), meeting all Reach digital publishing standards across online platforms, homepages, newsletters, and social channels.

• People Management & Culture: Mentor and develop reporters, setting clear expectations, encouraging high performance, rewarding success, and fostering an inclusive culture of trust and safety (including support for the Belonging Project).

• Agile & Flexible Leadership: Work in partnership with cross-functional teams (Sport, Breaking News, Politics, Video, Business) and work antisocial early, late, and weekend shifts where required.

This role is a home and hub position linked to our Bristol office, so you will need to be based in or around the Bristol area.

Who are we looking for?

• Experienced Newsroom Leader: An editor, senior content editor, or experienced content editor with a proven track record of acting in leadership roles.

• Strategic & Digital Savvy: Possess deep digital publishing, video creation/editing, and social media skills, with experience developing audience strategy and shaping brand identity.

• Agenda-Setter: A proven track record of leading forward planning, campaigns, and agenda-setting local content, backed by strong local knowledge and a customer-value mindset.

• Inclusive & Collaborative People Manager: Strong people management, delegation, decision-making, and communication skills, with a demonstrable commitment to furthering inclusivity in the newsroom.

• Core Behaviours: Demonstrable collaboration, determination, imagination, and a relentless focus on our readers.