The Times is seeking an enthusiastic, meticulous crossword editor to manage and curate our cryptic crosswords.
The successful candidate will commission, edit and produce crosswords, engage with our community and manage a roster of talented crossword compilers.
You will have a good understanding of cryptic clue-writing along with ideas for how to develop Times puzzles for new audiences in a digital age.
Please apply with a covering letter and your CV by October 6.
Responsibilities
- Commission and edit Times Cryptic, Quick Cryptic and Cryptic Jumbo crosswords and Cryptic Quintagrams, maintaining the title’s high standards.
- Contribute Times Cryptic, Quick Cryptic and Cryptic Jumbo crosswords to supplement commissioned work.
- Provide puzzles in the appropriate formats for print and online production in The Times, and where necessary for syndication to other outlets.
- Manage a roster of contributors, recruiting new crossword compilers as necessary to ensure a consistent supply of quality crosswords.
- Maintain good relations with compilers and communicate edits clearly in a professional manner.
- Manage finances for crossword contributors to ensure compilers receive timely payments.
- Take responsibility for the Times Guide for Crossword Setters, revising and updating it as necessary to ensure cluing style is fair and consistent.
- Respond to queries from solvers relating to the content of crosswords.
- Select and check puzzles from output for publication in annual Times Cryptic, Quick Cryptic and Cryptic Jumbo crossword books.
- Represent The Times crosswords at events such as The Times Crossword Championship.
- Promote Times cryptic crosswords on social media and by engaging with solvers on online forums.
Skills and experience
- Experience of crossword compiling and an understanding of what makes for a good puzzle
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and a record of developing positive relationships with colleagues
- Highly organised with strong planning and problem-solving skills
- Ability to gain proficiency with complex digital systems
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams
- Experience of liaising with readers and/or members of the public
- An understanding of editorial compliance and regulatory issues
We are News UK: One of the leading media businesses in the UK and Ireland. Our newsbrands include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Sun on Sunday and The TLS. Our national broadcast brands include talkSPORT, Times Radio, Talk and Virgin Radio UK, and we have market-leading local radio stations across Ireland. Our world-famous brands provide news, analysis, opinion and entertainment to almost 40 million people each month. Spanning print and pixel, audio and video, events and experiences, our multiplatform brands are home to a plurality of opinion, representing the diverse communities we serve. News UK is wholly owned by News Corp.
Life at News
Driven by passion, guided by principles and acting with purpose. We represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling the stories that matter. We inform our audiences so that they can make decisions based on trusted information.
To do this, we believe our employees must represent different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We strive to maximise and encourage every individual’s potential and ensure everyone feels valued. We support this through our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy, which focuses on three main priorities - attracting talent from a wider, more representative pool, developing equity programmes to drive better representation in our leadership, and ensuring diversity and inclusivity in our workforce as well as the journalism and content we produce. We also currently have 12 employee led networks and groups that support our strategy and connect like minded employees socially.
Benefits
Some of our benefits include:
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Maternity leave up to 18 weeks full basic salary & paternity leave up to 2 weeks
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Wide range of training available, plus full LinkedIn Learning access
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Private medical insurance including coverage for pre-existing conditions
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Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home, weekly virtual yoga classes
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‘Bikes for Work’ and ‘Electric Car’ scheme
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Up to 60% discount on Harper Collins books
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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
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Access to wellbeing benefits such as EAP, physio/massage and counselling
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A generous pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5%
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30 days holiday, plus bank holidays and up to 4 volunteering days per year
We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to perform to their best when applying for a role. If you would like to receive any information in a different way or for us to do anything differently to support you apply for any of our roles please contact us on [email protected].