Chief Obituaries Writer

This is a key role in a small, tight-knit team dedicated to producing obituaries for the Telegraph, online and print. The Chief Obituaries Writer writes obituaries to deadline for immediate publication, and for “stock” (advance); the role also involves editing rough drafts and all aspects of day-to-day work in the small obits team including using online publishing systems and involvement in discussions on the desk.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for writing obituaries in the Telegraph's house style in a range of subjects, rigorously and to deadline for immediate publication.
• Responsible for editing content provided by others for the Obituaries pages and turning this content into immaculate Telegraph obituaries style.
• Working with digital content management systems to publish online.
• Making judgments about obituaries content alongside colleagues - requires a keen interest in current affairs and 20th-century British history.
• Researching obituaries and assimilating large volumes of material into elegant and coherent content for publication.
• Liaising with contributors over content.
• Assisting the Obituaries Editor and learning to perform confidently all the functions of the desk including producing the digital content and next day’s print page.

Key Skills

• Significant experience of writing and editing accurate, well-crafted obituaries or obituary-style articles.
• Enthusiasm for The Telegraph's distinctive style of obituaries.
• Keen interest in current affairs and recent history - excellent general knowledge.
• Experience of reacting to changing events and breaking news stories.
• Ability to assimilate and condense large amounts of information.
• Able to work to tight deadlines and under pressure.
• Digital publishing experience and knowledge of content management systems.

The nature of our industry means life at the Telegraph Media Group is fast-paced, demanding, and interesting. We also want it to be rewarding for everyone who works here by creating a suite of benefits that contribute to lifestyle choices and leisure activities.

Training and Development

With support from your manager and colleagues, you’ll also have access to a variety of training and development opportunities through The Academy. Covering a range of personal and professional skills, our courses enable you to develop an enjoyable and rewarding career.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At Telegraph Media Group, we foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and we are committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of skills, perspectives and backgrounds. We believe in equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from all backgrounds.