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Newsquest North and Mid Essex seeks an ambitious and experienced journalist to join our team as Chief Reporter, with a focus on Chelmsford and the surrounding areas.

• Employer: Newsquest Media Group
• Salary: Depends on experience
• Location: Colchester, Essex, England, CO1 1SP, United Kingdom
• Employment type: Full-time
• Contract: Permanent
• Closing date: 29 September 2026

Newsquest North and Mid Essex seeks an ambitious, experienced journalist to join our team as Chief Reporter, focusing on Chelmsford and the surrounding areas.

\ This is an exciting opportunity for a talented reporter who thrives on finding exclusive stories, building strong contacts and producing journalism that makes a genuine difference to local communities.

\ The Mid Essex patch offers a varied and rewarding mix of reporting opportunities, from local politics and public affairs to crime, courts, community campaigns and breaking news. As Chief Reporter, you will play a key role in delivering impactful journalism across our digital and print platforms while helping ensure our coverage remains relevant, trusted and engaging.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead reporting across Chelmsford and the wider Mid Essex patch
• Produce accurate, engaging content for digital and print platforms
• Identify, develop and deliver exclusive stories and investigations
• Cover breaking news, local politics, crime, courts and community issues
• Build and maintain strong relationships with contacts across the patch
• Work with colleagues to plan and deliver high-quality coverage
• Use audience data and analytics to maximise the reach and impact of content
• Undertake editing and publishing duties when required
• Contribute to newsroom planning and editorial discussions

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A strong track record in local news reporting
• Excellent news judgement and storytelling ability
• Proven ability to identify and deliver exclusive stories
• Strong interviewing, writing and communication skills
• Experience creating content for both digital and print audiences
• Ability to build and maintain professional contacts and relationships
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure
• Sound knowledge of media law, the IPSO Code and responsible reporting standards
• A collaborative approach and willingness to support colleagues across the newsroom
• Able to use AI tools to improve efficiency, insight and output quality
• NCTJ qualification, including shorthand, is desirable
• A driving licence and access to a car are preferred due to the geography of the patch
• Willingness to work a rota that includes some early, late and weekend shifts

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

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 several 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.