Senior writer/editor

Company description

Syngenta Group is one of the world’s biggest agricultural technology companies, with roots going back more than 250 years.

With more than 59,000 employees, operating in more than 100 countries, the company strives to transform agriculture with science-driven, technological innovations to deliver high productivity and high-quality food while fighting climate change and restore nature.

Syngenta Group is working with farmers to enable Regenerative Agriculture - an outcome-based food production system that nurtures and restores soil health, protects the climate and water resources and biodiversity, and enhances farms' productivity and profitability.

Syngenta Group, which is registered in Shanghai, China, and has its management headquarters in Switzerland, draws strength from its four business units: Syngenta Crop Protection, headquartered in Switzerland; Syngenta Seeds, headquartered in the United States; ADAMA®, headquartered in Israel; and Syngenta Group China.

Together, these businesses provide industry-leading ways to serve customers around the world. 

Creative, collaborative, cost efficient – this is what the Syngenta Communications team stands for. Collaborating closely across our global teams in Basel, Switzerland, Manchester, UK and Pune, India, we want to deliver innovative communications across channels, strengthening the brand and supporting our business. In September 2023, we received the prestigious silver trophy in the Marking Film – B2B category at the Cannes Corporate Media Awards for the Digging Deeper series featuring our Group Ambassador, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. See more here: https://www.syngentagroup.com/en/our-stories/digging-deeper.

In 2022, we were selected as a winner for the Sabre Awards in the Chemicals & Industrials category for “Telling the Good-News Story about a Climate Friendly Agriculture Giant — Syngenta Group”.

Learn more about Jeff Rowe – our Syngenta Group CEO and a fifth-generation farmer here.

Job description

Are you a writer, journalist or editor looking to apply your skills within a global organization that impacts billions of lives around the world and has a wealth of stories to tell?

We have an exciting opportunity for a senior editor in Manchester. You will be a key member of Syngenta Group’s global content and storytelling team. Working alongside writers, editors and the head of content and storytelling, you will edit content to ensure it is accurate, engaging for audiences and aligned with Syngenta's messaging and brand guidelines.

The senior editor will also contribute to sourcing and writing their own impactful stories, such as journalistic feature articles, thought leadership articles, video scripts, website and social media content.

Responsibilities/accountabilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Sourcing and creating compelling written content that tells our story as one of the most innovative companies in global agriculture.
• Working with a team of writers, editors and external freelancers to provide guidance and feedback to ensure that all content is accurate, engaging and aligned with Syngenta’s messaging.
• Building broader public understanding about farming and how modern farming technologies combat world hunger, climate change and mitigate the adverse effects of extreme weather.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders across Syngenta's business units and functions.
• Helping to develop Syngenta Group’s content framework and editorial calendar.
• Continuously review content, performance data, and feedback to improve effectiveness.
• Staying up to date with industry trends and best practices in content marketing and storytelling.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure that content is aligned with business objectives.

Qualifications

We are highly people-focused – we look for professionals who are engaged, collaborative and excellent in execution. Our industry and our function are changing rapidly so we are looking for new team members with a strong desire to develop themselves. You will be a great fit if you have:

• Proven experience of journalism or feature article writing and editing, editorial copywriting and online content creation, preferably within the agricultural industry.
• Exceptional writing skills and excellent command of the English language.
• Experienced in writing copy for newspapers, news websites, magazines, email newsletters, digital advertising, SEO, online PR or blogger outreach.
• Ability to interpret, write and use the correct ‘tone of voice’ for various channels.
• Advanced level of computer literacy in Microsoft Office packages.
• Ability to manage, coach and guide a diverse team (partly remote).
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with clear and concise written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work to strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexible over working hours, to meet the needs of the business.
• Advanced degree, or equivalent experience in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field.

Additionally, it will be nice if you also have

• Scientific knowledge about agriculture, biology, chemistry or life science a plus.
• Any additional languages (in addition to fluent English) are advantageous.

Additional information

Site details

The role is based in our global operations centre in Manchester. This is a hybrid contract, with a minimum two days per week to be worked in the office, with remote working available for the remainder of the week (for the first few months, there may be a requirement to spend up to three days per week onsite).

The site is a local hub for worldwide operations, ensuring growers, globally, have access to the right product at the right time. You will find a dynamic and agile working environment, with a diverse and inclusive culture.

What we offer

• Extensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, bonus scheme, private medical and life insurance.
• Up to 31.5 days annual holiday.
• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment.  
• Learning culture (Together we Grow) and wide range of training options.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal.

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Learn more about our D&I initiatives here: https://www.syngenta.com/careers/working-syngenta/diversity-and-inclusion