Specialist Writer Jobs

Job Purpose

• You must be authorized to work in the United States to be considered for this role.
• Please note: this is a 6-month contract position** The position will be based in New York and is a 40 hours per week position for 6 months.

The SpeciaList Writer will be editorially responsible for BBC Travel's (BBC.com/travel) new guide section, The SpeciaList, in conjunction with and supervised by the Travel Editor. The SpeciaList aims to tap into the BBC’s unique global reach, and provide essential info about cities around the world from local experts – with guides covering everything from the best afternoon teas in London, to best LGBTQ+ spots in San Francisco, to Sydney’s best beaches.

Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities

• Researching and interviewing experts, celebrities and BBC correspondents around the world.
• Copyediting; writing headlines, summaries, captions and metadata; and implementing SEO best practices.
• Commissioning and editing SpeciaList guides (text and multimedia stories, videos, etc) that fit the site's global mission.

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience

• Strong research, reporting, and headline writing skills; and a proven commissioning and editing background.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills and ability to work on deadline.
• Experience interviewing celebrities and a rooster of celebrity contacts.
• Strong knowledge of, and passion for, the global scene and an ability to commission and create guides from a global and diverse perspective.
• Digital experience, including CMS, Photoshop and basic HTML knowledge.
• At least five years’ experience in journalism or digital media, focused on travel/guides.

Job Impact

The SpeciaList writer will be key player to producing an ongoing calendar of guides that fits within the editorial vision of the site. The candidate should have proven experience of writing and editing travel guides, and be able to offer something distinctive in the field. They should also have a keen sense of what a global traveler is curious about, and be able to source and interview local experts and celebrities to provide this information. The candidate should also have an aptitude for innovation, experimentation and organization, and must be a problem-solver, fast learner, efficient worker, creative thinker and self-starter. They should also be eager to work as part of a team.