Political Journalist jobs

Location: Liverpool
Job type: Full-time, Permanent
Basic salary: Up to £30,000 per year, depending on experience
Bonus: Uncapped monthly performance bonus, with our journalists typically earning over £1,000 extra per month
Working arrangements: Predominantly office-based, with flexitime and some working-from-home opportunities

About Billion Media

Billion Media is a Liverpool-based digital marketing agency specialising in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), with a particular focus on the legal sector.

We've built a strong reputation for original investigative research, uncovering newsworthy stories and securing coverage in national and regional newspapers.

We're now looking for a talented, curious and ambitious Digital PR Journalist to join our growing team.

This is an opportunity for someone with a background in journalism, digital PR or media relations who loves finding stories, digging into data and seeing their work published.

If you've got a nose for news, enjoy investigating interesting topics and know how to turn research into headlines, we'd love to hear from you.

The Role

You'll be responsible for developing original, newsworthy stories and securing editorial coverage across national and regional media.

Unlike traditional PR roles, much of our work begins with investigative research. We use Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, interviews, surveys and data analysis to uncover stories that journalists want to publish.

You'll have the freedom to develop your own ideas, investigate interesting topics and pitch your findings directly to reporters, editors and news desks.

As an SEO agency, an important part of our work involves securing high-quality editorial backlinks through media coverage. You'll therefore work towards achievable performance targets, with an uncapped monthly bonus rewarding your success.

Your Responsibilities

• Investigative research: Research original stories using FOI requests, public datasets, interviews, surveys and other reliable sources.
• Story development: Identify newsworthy angles, uncover interesting trends and develop creative campaign ideas.
• Writing: Produce compelling press releases, media pitches and supporting content that capture journalists' attention.
• Media outreach: Pitch stories to national and regional newspapers, journalists, editors and relevant publications.
• Relationship building: Develop professional relationships with journalists and media contacts to maximise coverage.
• Digital PR and SEO: Secure relevant, high-quality editorial backlinks to our clients' websites through successful media placements.
• Campaign management: Take ownership of campaigns, manage deadlines, monitor results and work towards monthly performance targets.
• Collaboration: Work closely with our friendly team to brainstorm ideas, share research and develop successful campaigns.

What We're Looking For

We're particularly interested in applicants who can demonstrate a track record of researching stories, writing engaging content and securing media coverage.

Essential Skills and Experience

• At least one year's professional experience in journalism, digital PR, media relations or a closely related role.
• Experience submitting Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
• Experience analysing datasets to uncover newsworthy trends.
• A journalism degree or NCTJ qualification.
• Excellent writing skills, particularly when producing news stories, press releases or pitches.
• A strong understanding of what makes a story newsworthy and how to present it to journalists.
• Experience researching stories, scrutinising sources and identifying interesting angles.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence to contact journalists and editors directly.
• Excellent organisation, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Creativity, initiative and the confidence to develop and propose your own story ideas.

Desirable Skills and Experience

The following would be advantageous, but aren't essential:

• Experience securing coverage in national or regional newspapers.
• A background in digital PR, SEO or editorial link building.
• An established network of journalists or media contacts.
• Experience managing PR campaigns from initial research through to publication.

We value proven ability as much as formal qualifications. If you've successfully developed original stories, secured media coverage or delivered standout digital PR campaigns, we'd be particularly interested in hearing from you.

Why Join Billion Media? Create Stories That Make Headlines

You'll have the opportunity to investigate original stories from the ground up, uncover interesting findings and pitch your work to major UK news publications.

This isn't a role where you'll simply be rewriting existing content. You'll be actively creating news, developing investigations and seeing the results of your work in the media.

An Uncapped Monthly Bonus

We believe in rewarding great work.

Alongside your basic salary, you'll receive a performance bonus for every qualifying editorial backlink you secure from media organisations to our websites.

There is no upper limit on what you can earn through the bonus scheme.

Our journalists currently earn over £1,000 per month in bonuses on average, although individual earnings depend on performance.

Creative Freedom and Career Development

We encourage our team to develop their own ideas, experiment with new approaches and take ownership of their campaigns.

You'll gain hands-on experience in investigative research, media outreach, data journalism and digital PR, with the support of an experienced team.

A Friendly, Supportive Working Environment

We're a close-knit Liverpool team that values collaboration, creativity and supporting one another.

You'll work alongside people who are passionate about what they do, with the opportunity to contribute ideas and make a genuine impact.

Benefits

• Basic salary of up to £30,000, depending on experience.
• Uncapped monthly performance bonus.
• 28 days' annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Flexible working hours.
• Some working-from-home opportunities.
• The opportunity to develop original investigations and secure national media coverage.
• A friendly, supportive team environment.

How To Apply

Please submit your CV along with a brief introduction explaining why you're interested in the role.

We'd particularly like to see an example of your work.

If possible, please include a link to a news story, investigative research project or digital PR campaign you've worked on. Tell us briefly what you contributed and whether the story secured any media coverage.

We're more interested in seeing what you can do than receiving a lengthy cover letter.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete a brief, practical task designed to assess their research, news judgement and writing skills, followed by an interview at our Liverpool office.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Pay: £30,000.00-£45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexitime
• Transport links

Application question(s):

• How many years of professional experience do you have in journalism, digital PR or media relations?
• Are you able to work regularly from our Liverpool office?
• Do you have the right to work in the UK?
• Have you made FOI requests or analysed datasets to identify newsworthy findings?

Work Location: In person