Wanted: assistant editor, The Spectator World

At The Spectator World, the US edition of the world’s oldest English-language magazine, we are looking for an assistant editor to work on online stories. The ideal candidate will be someone who understands how websites and search engines operate as well as what makes a good article.

Their duties will include:

• Covering and writing breaking news stories
• Being across the news agenda, spotting topics that would make for a good online story
• Commissioning, judging and editing copy to the highest standards (as well as checking for errors, typos and legal risk)
• Having a knack for headlines and a good eye for photographs, art, cartoons, and digital presentation
• Tweaking copy and headlines to ensure the discoverability of content on Google and other search engines
• Editing the homepage to ensure it looks appealing and performs brilliantly; that it is fast, relevant and reflects the breadth of our coverage, from politics to books and arts to life
• Using WordPress VIP on a daily basis
• Writing effective social media lines
• Basic Photoshop, uploading and embedding relevant audio and video clips

This job will require versatility and the ability to handle journalism in all of its dimensions. We are looking for enthusiasm, hard work and also the ability to help us shape The Spectator, spotting new opportunities. There will also be the chance to write and break news in this role — the right candidate will want to contribute to The Spectator in its many forms.

The aim at The Spectator is simple: to give readers the quality of publications ten times our size. This means working at pace: perhaps early mornings and late nights, occasional weekend work and dropping everything if a late story breaks. So we’re looking for someone who has:

• Knowledge of The Spectator and what readers do (and don’t) expect from us. You’ll be working for our readers: the best-read, best-humored bunch of people in the world
• A keen interest in current affairs that goes beyond 9-5
• A well-developed sense of the humorous and absurd 
• A strong attention to detail and good organizational skills
• A good understanding of SEO best practice
• Versatility, enthusiasm, a willingness to learn — and is a self-starter

To apply, please send the following to editor@thespectator.com:

• A cover letter outlining why you would be right for this job and why you want to work at The Spectator
• Five web headlines for any Spectator print article and five accompanying tweets
• A list of relevant experience. (Our no-résumé policy means we’re not interested in where you went to school or college — but we would like to know what you have done since.) It doesn’t have to be journalistic
• Up to three pieces of published work

The deadline for applications is Friday April 26, but we’re looking to fill the post soon and will probably start interviewing before the cut-off. If you’re interested, apply today!