Trainee Image Retoucher - Magazines

Do you have a sharp eye for visual detail and a passion for professional image editing? Are you ready to launch your career at the heart of the UK’s largest commercial publisher, working on iconic brands like OK! Magazine? 

We are looking for a motivated Trainee Image Retoucher to join our specialist Imaging Team. In this role you will learn to deliver high-quality, colour-enhanced artwork for our leading magazines and supplements including OK!, new!, Saturday, We Love TV, Hot TV, S Magazine, Notebook, TV Life and Love Sunday, as well as the opportunity to work across some of our print newspapers. This role offers comprehensive on-the-job training in Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, giving you the technical skills to produce print-ready imagery in a fast-paced, diverse media environment.

This is a hybrid role (minimum 2 days per week in our Canary Wharf hub), we are therefore looking for candidates based in/around London.

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 the Manchester Evening News, MyLondon, BelfastLive 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?

In this role, you will master the art of image enhancement to ensure every photograph and picture published across our magazines and supplements meet our high standards for contrast, colour balance, and sharpness. You will develop professional retouching and airbrushing skills, performing bespoke alterations and image extensions tailored to specific creative requests while perfecting the technical nuances of cut-outs and masking. 

This position is highly collaborative, liaising regularly with the Art Desk, IT, and other internal departments to ensure a seamless flow of high-quality assets. You will become proficient in generating various file formats for clients and utilizing cutting-edge AI tools in line with company policies to stay at the forefront of digital innovation. We will provide comprehensive training in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Content Watch, which you will be expected to utilise with precision to deliver print-ready artwork that defines the look of our most popular titles. This role is typically Monday to Friday 10am - 6pm/11am-7pm, with occasional weekend work required for major editorial events (like Trooping of the Colour) so a flexible approach is required.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a creative and dedicated individual with a degree in photography, fine art, or a similar artistic discipline, or an equivalent academic background focused on the visual arts. You should ideally have a foundational understanding and experience using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, paired with an authentic interest in photography and a solid grasp of colour theory. As this is a collaborative environment, we need a true team player who can communicate ideas effectively, maintain a professional demeanour at all times, and communicate confidently with our Art and IT desks.

You thrive under pressure and can manage your time effectively to meet the fast-paced deadlines inherent in news media. You should be a natural problem-solver with a keen interest in our brands, and the flexibility to adapt your creative approach as the needs of the business evolve. You are eager to apply your artistic eye to a professional publishing setting and are ready to master the technical tools of the trade.

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.