The Bureau of Investigative Journalism is looking for an editor to lead our Big Tech team, building on the tenacious reporting we have done to expose wrongdoing and injustice connected to the dominant Big Tech companies.
The editor will lead the team’s reporting on AI, Big Tech and influence operations. We’re looking for someone who knows these areas well and has creative ideas about how to report on them. We want someone who can lead a small team to take on some of the biggest stories of our time. And we want someone who understands how to drive accountability.
The ideal candidate will be a compelling storyteller who understands how to commission a single investigative project across various formats, including analysis pieces, explainers, social videos, newsletters and ‘how we did it’ features. They will have ideas about how to build an audience around our tech work, whether that’s through a newsletter or a YouTube channel.
As well as overseeing editorial output, the Big Tech editor will also work with the Development team to build and maintain relationships with funders and other stakeholders.
About the Bureau
The Bureau is the UK’s largest non-profit independent investigative journalism organisation. It exists to inform the public about the realities of power in today’s world. Our investigations seek to expose systemic wrongs, challenge misinformation and spark change. With no corporate or political agenda, we bring to light serious issues affecting individuals and communities in the UK and around the world. We work strategically and collaboratively to maximise the impact of our reporting and share our findings openly with local, national and international media outlets to reach as many people as possible.
We believe that journalism which holds the powerful to account can spark change and empower our audience. We achieve this impact by collaborating with communities, civil society organisations, lawyers and legislators to ensure that our journalism gets into the right hands. Our Big Tech stories, for instance, have given exploited employees the tools to fight for their workers’ rights, enabling them to form unions and launch lawsuits.
At the heart of the Bureau is its people – its creative, energised and talented team of reporters, editors, community organisers, impact producers and organisational support.
Responsibilities
• Shape and lead the team’s editorial direction in collaboration with reporters, fundraisers and senior editors
• Ensure the team delivers hard-hitting, high-stakes investigations that are editorially and legally robust
• Oversee the team’s impact strategy, including how we work with the people affected by the issues we investigate
• Edit copy
• Oversee a rigorous right-of-reply process
• Help deliver innovative output that reaches a broad range of audiences, including a new product for Bureau followers
• Ensure we meet our ambitious diversity, equity and inclusion targets for our journalism, audience strategy and organisational culture
• Provide pastoral care for reporters in the team
• Manage reporting partnerships with freelancers and external outlets
• Oversee project budgets with support from the Finance Manager
• Support the Development team in writing funder applications, reports and budgets. Attend donor meetings when requested
• Represent the Bureau at events, conferences and media appearances
You don’t need to tick every box in this ad – we are committed to hiring people with potential. If you feel like you lack some specific experience but have the necessary drive and passion, please don’t be deterred from applying.
You’ll be a good fit if:
• You are passionate about the Bureau’s work and values, and are driven to get the best out of people
• You have significant experience in reporting and/or managing investigations – formulating ideas, following leads, handling evidence, developing contacts and protecting vulnerable sources
• You have leadership experience
• You are an excellent writer and editor
• You are familiar with the world of Big Tech, know who the major players are and know how to develop sources in that space
• You consider how diversity and equity issues are relevant to global reporting projects
• You are able to manage day-to-day priorities alongside longer-term strategic ones
• You are a collaborative, communicative and solution-focused leader
• You believe journalism can make a difference and that media organisations should take an active role in ensuring their work sparks change
• You are willing to take creative risks
• You have a good understanding of media law and journalism ethics
• You understand the value of public-interest journalism
Benefits
The Bureau recognises the importance of helping its employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements such as flexible hours and hybrid working across our office and remotely. Our core benefits include: access to an employee assistance programme; 25 days annual leave (excluding Christmas break during office closure); and enhanced maternity pay and sick pay. We also provide staff development opportunities and a learning culture.
To apply
Please email an up-to-date CV and covering letter to bigtechjob@tbij.com. You must have the right to live and work in the UK.
