Design and Homes Editor, Observer Magazine
We usually respond within three days
Permanent contract. Option to work full-time or part-time. Monday to Friday.
Where do I work?
The Observer newsroom, London (22 Berners Street) plus flexibility to work remotely 1 day per week.
What are we for?
The Observer’s promise is in the name: it makes journalism that bears witness. It loves food, design, fashion and ideas, both for their own sake and because they can change the way we live. It’s proudly progressive, but has no party allegiance. It’s open to different arguments and its editorial independence is non-negotiable. We are building a new Observer across print, audio and digital. We’re here to build journalism that lasts.
The Observer Magazine is The Observer’s centre of style. It defines for readers how we live now, from the food we’re eating and the clothes we’re wearing, to the homes we’re living in and the places we’re travelling to. A large features section presents tales of trauma and recovery, drama and jeopardy, sex and relationships; profiles of people who matter: the famous, the eccentric, even the naughty; and reporting from the front lines of new scenes. The magazine is vital Sunday reading: a title that is curious, that has fun and is funny, and that meets the moment.
The role
We are looking for an experienced Design and Homes Editor to join our small team who will work closely with the Editor to oversee the magazine’s On Location section. You will commission and oversee two features per week; one Homes and one Design story, from idea to delivery.
You will write for the section periodically, overseeing two small regular columns, liaise with existing contributors and develop new voices. You will contribute ideas across the entire magazine as well as across its digital and social expressions and work closely with the art, picture, digital and social departments to best realise On Location stories across platforms.
Key responsibilities include:
Overseeing the magazine’s weekly On Location section, including planning and scheduling in advance, and two special issues per year
Managing weekly deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Contributing ideas across the magazine
Developing relationships with contributors and key PR
Writing features, essays and short pieces across the magazine
Managing tight budgets with flair and ingenuity
Key skills and experience include:
Experience in writing and editing for a national publication
Proven track record in commissioning and editing copy to the highest standard from a range of writers to tight deadlines
Excellent planning, organisational and communication skills, and knowledge of social media
Flexible and erudite thinker with a demonstrable love of style and contemporary culture in all its forms
Salary and Benefits
Competitive salary
30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
Private healthcare
Group Life Assurance
Pension
Cycle to work scheme
Interest-free season ticket loans
Free snacks and drinks in the newsroom
Working with us
We are proudly progressive and independent, with no party allegiance. We take the same approach to hiring — ensuring that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We’re building a workplace that is fair, curious and forward-thinking, where people from all walks of life are genuinely supported to develop, contribute and succeed.
Our Process
We aim to run our interview process at pace and with clarity at every stage, recognising how challenging it can be to balance alongside other commitments or interviews. The number of stages will vary depending on the nature and level of the role, but we see this as a two-way process and hope you’ll enjoy the opportunity to meet a range of potential future colleagues.
- Department
- Editorial
- Locations
- The Observer Newsroom, London