Reporter (Talent Pool) – Colchester Gazette
Requirements
An NCTJ qualification is essential, along with strong news writing, interviewing, and storytelling skills and the ability to identify stories relevant to local audiences. Applicants need excellent organisation and time management, the ability to work independently and in a team, and a full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle; local area knowledge is advantageous.
Job Description
Application Deadline: 31 December 2026
Department: Editorial
Location: Colchester
Are you a qualified journalist looking for your next opportunity in local news?
The Colchester Gazette is always keen to hear from talented reporters who are passionate about uncovering great stories, holding decision-makers to account and connecting with local communities. While we don't currently have a live vacancy, we're building a talent pool of journalists interested in future opportunities across our newsrooms.
As a Reporter, you'll produce engaging content for both print and digital audiences, covering Colchester and the surrounding towns and villages served by our weekly titles. No two days are the same. One moment you could be covering breaking news, the next interviewing local personalities, reporting from court or council meetings, or producing compelling feature content.
This role would suit an NCTJ-qualified journalist with a strong news sense, excellent writing skills and a passion for local journalism.
Key Responsibilities
- Source, research and write accurate, engaging stories for print and digital platforms.
- Cover breaking news, community events, local government, courts and human interest stories.
- Build and maintain strong contacts across the local area.
- Create digital-first content, including live updates, video and social media posts where appropriate.
- Work to tight deadlines while maintaining high editorial standards.
- Represent the Colchester Gazette positively within the communities we serve.
- NCTJ qualification is essential.
- Strong news writing, interviewing and storytelling skills.
- Ability to identify stories that matter to local audiences.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a newsroom team.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential due to the travel requirements of the role.
- Knowledge of Colchester and the surrounding area would be advantageous.
This advert is for talent pooling purposes only and does not relate to a current vacancy. By applying, you'll join our database of prospective candidates and may be contacted when suitable Reporter opportunities become available within the Colchester Gazette and surrounding titles.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
- Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
- Structured career progression & ongoing training
- Pension plan
- Employee Helpline counselling and advice
- Perks & discounts including:
- Gym membership
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care
- Retail discounts
- Team building days & annual volunteer charity day
Education
Skills
About Newsquest Media Group
We are a media company with a difference. We are committed to bringing a voice to your region by investing in a passionate team of journalists who proudly serve their communities by sharing authoritative news that readers trust. Our sales teams provide local businesses with highly responsive digital advertising and marketing solutions. We are one of the largest regional news publishers in the UK and have a portfolio of more than 250+ local news brands and magazines online and in print. With an online audience of 41 million users a month and 7 million readers a week in print, our content is read by a substantial proportion of the UK population. In addition to our local news brands, we own a number of digital pure play and specialist media businesses such as s1jobs and s1homes, Exchange & Mart, and Newsquest Specialist Media. We also own LOCALiQ, an award-winning digital marketing agency that specialises in driving more leads, increasing online growth and generating return on marketing investment on behalf of thousands of UK SMBs. Our parent company is Gannett Inc, the largest news publisher in the US. Gannett is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
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