Who we are
We are William Reed.
We are the leading expert in the global Food & Drink industry.
From manufacturing through to retail and hospitality - we provide the inspiration, insight and connections to power our customers' success.
We have offices in Gatwick and London, UK; Montpellier, France; Singapore and Chicago, US. In line with the Company's current Agile Working Policy, the successful candidate would be eligible to work part of the week from our Crawley office and to work remotely for the rest of the week.
Position
Position: Full time (35hr per week), permanent
Location: Crawley / Hybrid
Are you an individual that is brimming with innovative ideas for news analysis? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment, working closely with your team to deliver top-quality? Do you have the vision and leadership skills to drive MCA's news agenda and maintain its reputation for excellence in the industry?
The News Editor will lead MCA's news agenda, and source, write and publish daily items, as well as follow-up analysis, insight, profiles and interviews with key industry figures. The successful candidate will need to build relationships and become an expert in new openings, financial results, takeover deals, and executive appointments. Strong digital and social media skills are a must as MCA is a web-first operation.
MCA is a digital news and insight publication covering the vibrant restaurant, pub, bar, coffee shop and food-to-go sectors. Our readers lead some of the biggest brands on the high street, including casual dining chain restaurants like Wagamama, Nando's and Pizza Express, food-to-go operators like Pret, Gail's and Five Guys, pub chains like Greene King and Wetherspoon, and coffee shops like Starbucks and Costa. As a paid-for premium subscription service, MCA uncovers the news behind the news and offers insight and analysis into the opportunities and challenges, individuals and concepts shaping the dynamic hospitality sector. As such, it's essential reading for operators, suppliers, industry watchers and analysts.
What you'll be doing:
- Ensuring MCA leads its rivals on breaking news and exclusives by building relationships with sector leaders through day-to-day phone calls and face-to-face contact.
- Helping shape content, both the daily digital newsletter and forthcoming mobile app, as well as conference programmes.
- Leading MCA's news agenda and present ideas and prospects to the editor at the daily editorial meeting.
- Curating and sending out the daily newsletter MCA Today on a rota basis shared among the editorial team.
- Developing key contacts at established and up and coming hospitality businesses, as well as suppliers and commentators, to keep abreast of developments.
- Examining financial accounts and identify angles for news items, follow-ups and interview questions.
- Developing and delivering in-depth analysis and features examining brands, trends and innovation within the sector.
- Arranging and conducting in-depth interviews and profiles with CEOs and founders.
- Assessing data insights from the key providers and identify relevant angles for reporting.
- Using multimedia and social media to push and promote MCA content.
- Attending MCA and external events and conferences, helping to secure speakers and panellists, and contribute ideas for events.
- Developing expertise in the hospitality industry, its key figures and brands and major opportunities and concerns.
- Helping MCA differentiate itself from the competition and support the wider team to gain new subscribers.
What you'll need:
- Hands on experience in a fast-paced journalism environment such as a regional or national newspaper, specialist magazine or B2B title.
- Track record breaking news items and a hunger and energy to make a mark at MCA with a steady flow of exclusives.
- A solid understanding of the mechanics of business, finance, economics, public markets, listed companies, investment, private equity, commercial property, executive leadership and corporate culture.
- Confidence networking with and interviewing senior leaders at some of the UK's biggest hospitality companies.
- To be innovative and brimming with ideas for news analysis and follow-up features, interviews and analysis.
- Strong presentation skills in order to present and interview on-stage at MCA's sector conferences and events.
- Have an appreciation for the opportunities and challenges facing hospitality businesses.
- Have an appetite to cultivate an in-depth knowledge of the key groups, influential brands, and emerging concepts making a mark on the sector.
Company Benefits Include:
- 25 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays- increasing by one additional day after 6 years, up to a maximum of 30 days.
- An additional day of leave for you to take on a cultural celebration day or on your birthday if you like. A day for you! At William Reed, we call this our "MeDay".
- A volunteer day to take for supporting a chosen charity and giving back to the community.
- Opportunity for hybrid working
- Contributory Pension
- Life Assurance Scheme
- Group Income Protection
- Enhanced family-friendly leave pay entitlements
- Wellbeing benefits, including: A health care cash plan, Employee assistance programme and a 12-month wellness calendar for company-wide health, wellbeing, diversity & inclusion awareness dates.
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
Why work for us
We provide a supportive work environment and are committed to maintaining a healthy work/life balance for all of our employees. Working for
William Reed means that you will be joining a stable organisation that is committed to developing its employees and brands.
We warmly welcome and encourage applications from talented individuals of all backgrounds and characteristics.
If you need any support in accessing this opportunity, please do not hesitate to discuss this with us.