Showbiz Editor - Mirror (Maternity Cover)

Are you always the first to know which A-list stars are trending before the hashtags even start, who’s really splitting up, and which celebrity bombshell is about to break the internet? Do you have the contact book to turn an industry whisper into a global exclusive and the digital savvy to make it go viral? 

We are looking for an experienced Showbiz Editor to join us at The Mirror to lead the charge in delivering distinctive, agenda-setting entertainment coverage. In this pivotal role, you’ll pitch, write, and commission stories that cut through the noise, ensuring our content dominates across site, social, app, and print. 

From securing exclusives and building industry relationships, to mastering strategic distribution across all platforms - print, digital, social and video, you will be the heartbeat of our showbiz desk. If you have the speed to react to breaking news, the creativity to craft viral headlines, and the legal savvy to ensure every piece is platform-ready, we want you to help shape the conversation for our digital audience.

This is a fixed term contract maternity cover role, initially for approximately 12 months, starting around April 2026 (may be sooner).

This role is home and hub based linked to our London Hub. Therefore you must be able to travel to London regularly.

About us

Hello, we’re Reach. Every day, our trusted news, stories and content connect with millions of people where they live - whether that’s on their social feed or at their neighbourhood newsstand; through their local community or their take on the hot topic of the day.

We're home to more than 120 trusted brands - from household names like the Mirror, Express, Daily Star and Daily Record, to local titles like MyLondon, BelfastLive, and the Manchester Evening News, and brands making a splash in the US like the Irish Star.

It's our ability to understand people and the things that matter to them that makes us the UK and Ireland's largest commercial news publisher. We reach 70% of the UK's online population and speak to over 100 million social followers around the world. And we’re just getting started…

Your story, with Reach

As a modern media organisation, we're much more than just news. And it takes a wide range of people and skills to serve diverse audiences, customers and communities like we do.

We know everyone has their own story to tell, so we’ve built an environment where every background is respected and every day is a day to explore.

We’ll help you build a career that works with your life, while giving you the space to create and grow.

What will the role involve?

Reporting to the Head of Showbiz (with day-to-day direction from senior showbiz desk members), you will lead and edit the Mirror’s TV and showbiz coverage. You will pitch, write, commission, and optimise stories that address User Needs and are tailored to the most effective distribution channels, including search, Discover, homepage, and social. Curating landing pages and managing a competitive content mix, you'll ensure all output remains audience-focused, legally sound, and IPSO-compliant.

You will support and guide the showbiz team to ensure content meets the high standards our audiences have come to expect. You will ensure all coverage is packaged for digital and audience success: sharp headlines, compelling social sells, and strategic distribution across Mirror platforms and social channels (Facebook, Reddit, Threads, etc.). You will stay up to date with all things pop culture, TV and celebrity to make sure we stay ahead of our rivals when it comes to scooping exclusive stories. This role will involve working a variety of shift patterns on a rota basis including early/late shifts and some weekends (typically 1 in 3), so a flexible approach is required.

Who are we looking for?

You are a highly experienced NCTJ/NQJ senior qualified journalist with up to date, in depth UK media law knowledge. You have a proven track record of writing and editing showbiz and TV content at a similar national, magazine or large regional title. You have a fantastic eye for detail and substantial experience in reporting on and editing all things UK & US celebrity with a bursting contacts book of relevant celebs, PRs and sources.

You have a strong understanding of audience first frameworks and User Needs, creating and editing content swiftly while consistently meeting deadlines with ease. You can adapt to tight timelines and have practical experience utilising SEO & socials to optimise content reach. You have experience running a news desk and have the skills to motivate your team to source exciting showbiz stories and scoop exclusives for our audiences.

How we'll look after you

We take good care of our people - and that means more than just a pay packet. Whatever your role, you'll get a range of benefits, including:

• 25 days' holiday (plus bank holidays), as well as an extra day after you've been with us for three, five and 10 years. We also have a scheme to help you buy extra holiday if you want to.

• An extra day's paid leave each year to volunteer for a cause close to your community or your heart.

• Big moment day - an extra day’s paid leave for a moment that matters to you - like getting married, moving house or welcoming a new addition to the family (human or furry!)

• Help saving for your retirement - we'll match your company pension contributions up to 6% and you can contribute through salary sacrifice.

• Supportive and progressive people policies - we’re proud to have a range of policies to support people in their lives in and outside work, including enhanced family leave and policies to promote flexibility, inclusion and progression. We believe you shouldn’t have to wait to join us to know what to expect from us, which is why we share this overview of the policies we have in place to support families and carers. If there's something you want to understand more about, just ask - it won’t make a difference to your application.

• A healthcare cash plan - giving you money back for a range of medical expenses and fast access to doctor's appointments.

• Car lease scheme - you can buy a brand new electric or hybrid car through our leasing partner, and pay for it through salary sacrifice.

• Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 assistance programme for you and your family.

• Access to lots of discounts - including 15% off with Reach's very own online marketplace, Yimbly, where you can buy everything from homewares to beauty products.

• Interest-free loans - including for season tickets and technology.

Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.