Showbiz Features Writer

The Sun is the biggest news brand in the UK publishing hundreds of stories a day and reaching over 170m unique users digitally every month. Its exclusives set the news agenda and its campaigns have changed the lives of many. Delivering news entertainment and sports coverage to millions of readers every day. With a rich history spanning decades we are dedicated to providing accurate insightful and engaging content across print and digital platforms.

The Sun has a mass-market audience and aims to appeal to a diverse audience in the UK and beyond.

Your Role: You will be a leading voice in The Suns unparalleled showbiz coverage. A great writer you will be adept at coming up with a fresh features take on the biggest showbiz stories to engage our readers across all platforms.

The Sun is the market leader when it comes to showbiz and your role will be to contribute clever features on the most interesting stories of the moment. These articles should be suitable for both the pages of The Sun print edition as part of the flagship new membership service Sun Club and as substantial journalism for our websites.

Based in our vibrant London newsroom your normal core working hours will be 40 hours per week within the operating hours/days as advised by your line manager.

As per the News UK flexible working policy this role is required to work from our London Bridge office for a minimum of 3 days a week. Any part-time working requests will be considered on an individual basis.

Key Responsibilities:

• Generate brilliant showbiz features writing and when needed commissioning content that is both engaging and journalistically sound across all our platforms.

• Work with our award-winning showbiz team to generate agenda-setting features with fresh news lines.

• Respond quickly to data and trends showing which celebrities are resonating with our audience - and constantly come up with ideas for new stars to focus on.

• Use your outstanding network of contacts in the entertainment industry to land exclusive interviews and insight that our rivals cant get.

• Work with reporters to transform breaking news into in-depth features and compelling narratives that resonate with our audience.

• Consistently generate and pitch compelling original and on-brand feature ideas that tap into the latest celebrity trends and pop culture moments across 360 platforms: online video Sun Club and paper.

• Thrive in a fast-paced environment making quick sound editorial decisions and ensuring stories are published brilliantly and accurately under tight deadlines.

Key Qualifications/Skills:

• Extensive experience as a features writer or showbiz writer with a specialty in long form or opinion journalism.

• An outstanding portfolio of published work that showcases your ability to write and secure and deliver exclusive agenda-setting entertainment features.

• A deep intuitive understanding of what our audience wants to read and watch and a passion for celebrity culture.

• Exceptional contacts within the entertainment industry including publicists agents and talent.

• The ability to write and edit brilliantly with a confident and compelling voice while also maintaining the highest standards of journalistic ethics.

Life at News

Driven by passion guided by principles and acting with purpose. We represent reflect and reach the nation telling the stories that matter. We inform our audiences so that they can make decisions based on trusted information.

We represent reflect and reach the nation telling the stories that matter most. To ensure these stories resonate with as broad an audience as possible it is essential that our organisation reflects the diversity of the people we reach. Whether through age gender ethnicity disability social class or sexuality we are committed to representing the rich variety of voices that make up our society. And we champion a culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive as we continue to innovate and drive long term sustainable growth. This is done through our Diversity Strategy.

At News UK we take pride in our exceptional employee-led networks that bring together individuals with shared interests and create a vibrant sense of community. We believe our networks play a vital role in fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture at News UK. Groups that we support include the African & Caribbean Network Parents and Carers and LGBTQ group News Is Out and Next Gen.

Benefits

Some of our benefits include:

• Maternity leave up to 18 weeks full basic salary & paternity leave up to 2 weeks

• Wide range of training available plus full LinkedIn Learning access

• Private medical insurance including coverage for pre-existing conditions

• Discounted gym memberships free ClassPass at Home weekly virtual yoga classes

• Bikes for Work and Electric Car scheme

• Up to 60% discount on Harper Collins books

• Access to exclusive events and competitions with exciting brands such as talkSPORT Virgin Radio UK & The Times. Weekly virtual panel chats with top journalists and celebrities

• Access to wellbeing benefits such as EAP physio/massage and counselling

• A generous pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5%

• 30 days holiday plus bank holidays and up to 4 volunteering days per year

We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to perform to their best when applying for a role. If you would like to receive any information in a different way or for us to do anything differently to support you apply for any of our roles please contact us on emailprotected.