Head of Food

Head of Food

The Head of Food is responsible for delivering a distinctive, agenda-setting food content package across all platforms for The Times and The Sunday Times. They will ensure world‑class standards of digital and print journalism, and lead a small food team in digital‑first commissioning and publishing of recipes, reviews, recommendations and more.

Responsibilities

• Lead the digital‑first strategy for Times Food, working closely with the audience, product, marketing and commercial teams to transform food and recipes into a useful and joyful part of a subscription and also appeal to new audiences. This will include:
  • being responsible for all food content on the site and including content submitted by restaurant columnists
  • bringing fresh ideas for food & drink coverage and new areas or voices to explore
  • bringing food and recipes to life in pictures, video and audio, focusing on social platforms
  • building a recipe collection under key pillars, and driving the vision for how those recipes are presented and how they could be searched, saved and build a community in future
  • use data to inform planning and commissioning, and what’s working and what’s not
  • explore how evergreen food or recipe content could be presented to properly realise its value eg review archive and use of AI
  • working with Times Radio to give the Food section a voice on the platform
  • evolving existing touch points with readers e.g. the Food newsletter and thinking of new ways to enhance the direct relationship we have with subscribers
• Deliver required content to our print products, leading on its future development
• Work collaboratively with the product team on the digital development of the Food product, representing editorial requirements.
• Work collaboratively with the Marketing and Commercial teams to achieve agreed goals for subscriptions and revenue.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including the Editors and Publisher, presenting plans for approval and getting buy‑in.
• Manage the food team with a view to growing as the section expands with a digital focus.
• Manage an external profile as a spokesperson for The Times and The Sunday Times within the food industry, with key contacts and commercial stakeholders.
• Control costs to ensure the budget is managed as efficiently as possible to agreed objectives, ensuring all products are commercially viable.

Qualifications

• Experience working as a senior editor for a national publication and managing people
• Experience of devising and delivering a digital strategy
• Demonstrable expertise in the food industry and extensive contacts
• Experience using audience data to support commissioning and how to promote a story on social media and through search engines
• Knowledge of how to attract and retain new digital audiences
• An ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines and with rigorous accuracy
• Ability to communicate succinctly and effectively
• Experience of working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams
• Persuasive presentation skills, well‑developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to problem‑solve
• A strong understanding of editorial compliance and regulatory issues

Benefits

• Maternity leave up to 18 weeks full basic salary & paternity leave up to 2 weeks
• Wide range of training available, plus full LinkedIn Learning access
• Private medical insurance including coverage for pre‑existing conditions
• Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home, weekly virtual yoga classes
• ‘Bikes for Work’ and ‘Electric Car’ scheme
• Up to 60% discount on Harper Collins books
• Access to exclusive events and competitions with exciting brands such as talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK & The Times. Weekly virtual panel chats with top journalists and celebrities
• Access to wellbeing benefits such as EAP, physio/massage and counselling
• A generous pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5%
• 30 days holiday, plus bank holidays and up to 4 volunteering days per year

We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. If you require reasonable adjustments due to a disability or health condition at any stage of your application or interview, please let us know.

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