Midlands 103 — Head of News and Sport & Midlands Today Presenter
Have you have passion for news and current affairs?
Midlands 103 is looking for an ambitious, creative and driven Head of News & Sport to lead our editorial output and present our flagship current affairs programme, Midlands Today.
If you can lead a newsroom, break the big stories and bring the issues that matter to our listeners to life on air, we want to hear from you.
This is an exciting opportunity for a strong journalist and confident broadcaster to shape our news agenda, develop talent and deliver outstanding local content across radio and digital platforms.
The Role
As Head of News & Sport, you will lead the day-to-day running of the newsroom, oversee news and sports coverage and ensure the highest editorial standards across all platforms.
You will also be the presenter of Midlands Today, our flagship weekday current affairs programme, bringing compelling interviews, informed analysis and the stories that matter most to people across Laois, Offaly and Westmeath.
Key Responsibilities
1. Lead the newsroom: Manage daily news and sports output, set editorial priorities and ensure strong, accurate and engaging coverage.
2. Present Midlands Today: Deliver our flagship programme with authority, warmth and a strong connection to our audience.
3. Break stories: Identify, develop and deliver original local, regional and national stories with a clear Midlands focus.
4. Uphold editorial standards: Ensure all content meets the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, impartiality and compliance with broadcasting regulations and station policies.
5. Drive audience growth: Create compelling content for radio, websites and social media, with a focus on growing listenership, digital engagement and MOJO.
6. Deliver quality journalism: Conduct interviews, report live from the field, produce packages and develop strong news and sports features.
7. Lead and develop talent: Support, mentor and motivate journalists while encouraging fresh ideas and new approaches to storytelling.
8. Build strong contacts: Develop relationships with key contributors, organisations, community groups and news sources across the region.
9. Plan ahead: Maintain editorial calendars, manage newsroom resources and ensure effective planning and coverage of major events.
10. Work collaboratively: Build strong working relationships with presenters, production staff, the sports team, management and commercial colleagues.
What We’re Looking For
1. Proven experience in journalism with a strong understanding of news values and current affairs.
2. Excellent broadcasting and presentation skills, with the confidence to lead a live programme.
3. Strong editorial judgement and a commitment to accuracy, fairness and impartiality.
4. The ability to lead a team, manage competing demands and make decisions under pressure.
5. A passion for local news and sport and a strong understanding of the issues affecting communities across Laois, Offaly and Westmeath.
6. A creative approach to content development, with an understanding of digital platforms, social media and audience engagement.
7. Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
8. A track record of generating original stories and delivering high-quality journalism to deadline.
Why Join Midlands 103?
This is an opportunity to play a leading role in one of Ireland’s most successful local radio stations, shape the stories that matter to our audience and help drive the future of local journalism.
If you have the experience, ideas and ambition to lead our news and sports coverage while becoming the voice of Midlands Today, we want to hear from you.
To apply: Send your CV, portfolio and a covering letter outlining your experience and vision for the role to careers@midlands103.com
Midlands 103 is an equal opportunities employer.