Explainer Writer/Editor

ENGINEERINGUK; London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

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About us

The Financial Times is one of the world's leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you're given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you'll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you'll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

The Role

The Explainer Editor/Writer will commission, edit, write and sometimes voice explainers that enhance our coverage across a wide range of topics, from financial markets to geopolitics. This role will work closely with newsroom colleagues across desks, ensuring our explainers are well-researched and engaging. The ideal candidate will be adept at distilling complexity into clarity, have a strong sense of what readers need to know, and be able to shape explainers in text and other formats, including video. This role is a 12 month fixed term contract.

What you'll do

• Commission, write, and edit explainers that demystify breaking news, complex economic trends, and more.
• Balance short-term and long-term projects, ensuring we deliver both timely news explainers and evergreen guides with lasting relevance.
• Collaborate with the video and social media teams to shape explainer videos, making sure scripts are clear, concise, and visually engaging.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure explainers align with broader newsroom coverage, maximising their impact.
• Use audience data to guide coverage, identifying gaps in understanding and making sure our explainers resonate with the right readers and viewers.
• Keep our explainers sharp-you'll fact-check, simplify jargon, and ensure we maintain our high editorial standards.

What you'll need

• Proven editorial experience in a fast-paced news environment.
• A keen knowledge of what needs explaining - from news to work and careers.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with an ability to distill complex topics into accessible, engaging prose.
• Experience in video scripting or working alongside video teams to create compelling explainer content.
• A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work across teams and formats.
• A sharp eye for accuracy, clarity, and audience needs.
• Experience using web publishing tools and analytics to inform content decisions.

Desireable, but not essential

• Familiarity with SEO best practices for evergreen explainers.
• A track record of experimenting with new formats, whether short-form social explainers or newsletter-driven deep dives.

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Wednesday 30th April 2025.

The use of AI

Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. For specific and pre-approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations.

We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role.

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

What's in it for you? Our benefits

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

We've embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email [e-mail] and a member of our team will be happy to help.