Sifted is looking for a subeditor and SEO manager to join our fast-growing team covering the world of European startups and tech.

We’re looking for a detail-oriented wordsmith who can edit copy quickly and cleanly, factcheck thoroughly, hone articles for SEO and ensure consistency of editorial voice.

This is a great job for someone with one to three years editorial experience (in any kind of environment) looking for an opportunity to move up fast in an expanding organisation. No formal qualifications are required to apply, apart from the right to work in the UK — although a good understanding of SEO best practice is a big bonus.

We’re first and foremost looking for people who have meticulous attention to detail and are keen to learn — along with the other skills and aptitudes outlined below. We particularly welcome candidates from underrepresented communities.

About Sifted

Sifted is a new media and data platform reporting on the world of technology and startups in Europe, backed by the Financial Times. In two years we’ve become known for our high-quality journalism and fresh viewpoints, and a must-read for many founders, investors and people working in startups across the continent.

We have grown from a standing start to 600,000 monthly unique visitors, and over 80,000 newsletter subscribers.

We’re now a team of around 50 people, made up of full time and part time, employees and contractors, across the UK and various European countries — and we’re growing fast.

Our team of reporters, based across Europe, aren’t chasing after the latest funding announcements or product releases; plenty of other sites have got that covered. We are telling the stories that should be told — big startup trends, compelling company profiles and the everyday lessons that come from growing a business and messing up along the way. And our rapidly expanding commercial, tech, marketing and intelligence teams are ensuring that we can continue to deliver an ever broader range of products and services to as wide an audience as possible.

What will you be doing?

Reporting to the deputy editor, Amy, it will be your mission to ensure that everything we publish and every communication we send reads beautifully and is free from any spelling, grammatical or factual errors.

You will also be responsible for ensuring we follow SEO best practice to help us find new readers.

Core duties include:

• Work closely with the editorial team to sub and proofread copy — across website articles and newsletters — to a consistently high standard
• Factcheck meticulously to ensure accuracy across all published content and clarify where needed
• Check data and ensure all charts and graphics conform to Sifted style
• Maintain the Sifted brand, tone of voice and style guide and ensure it is used consistently in-house and by freelancers
• Optimise headlines, standfirsts, images and links for SEO
• Run — and learn from — SEO experiments to build on Sifted’s SEO strategy
• Source — and where necessary, create — compelling imagery for articles
• Work with the marketing and membership teams to approve all marketing and member communications, ensuring that they fit the Sifted style
• Sub commercial projects such as Sifted’s Intelligence reports and briefings
• Sub all event materials for our weekly Sifted Talks
• Manage reader comments on the website
• Ensure all articles are published on schedule
• Upload content to the content management system and social channels as required to support the wider team, ensuring the smooth running of editorial workflow

Optional duty:

• We would be delighted if the subeditor would like to write stories for Sifted, developing a portfolio of writing and making contacts in the startup world that could serve them well in the future. Senior editors would work with them closely to report on great stories if desired.

What skills do you need?

• Demonstrable subbing experience in a fast-paced digital news or business publishing environment (this could be at a student publication)
• Proficient copyediting and subediting skills with the ability to become the guardian of the Sifted tone of voice
• Skilled at producing headlines optimised for digital platforms
• A good understanding of SEO and a working knowledge of SEO research tools like Semrush and Ahrefs is desirable
• Excellent written and verbal communication, and interpersonal and relationship management skills
• Proactive, with the ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Confidence in factchecking financial figures and data charts — you’ll be responsible for final checks before publication
• Good knowledge of the startup industry is desirable

What is Sifted like?

We have a small company mindset, but big company goals, and can draw on many of the strengths and benefits of a world-respected brand — the Financial Times. We’re friendly, hardworking and passionate about what we do. We have a flat structure and collaborate across disciplines — everyone has impact across many areas of the business. We value feedback, honesty and clear communication.

What we offer

• Salary of £25-30k (dependent on experience) plus equity
• 25 days of annual leave plus the usual public holidays
• £1,000 personal development budget
• Flexible working hours and the option to work from home some days
• Weekly team games (virtual for now) and seemingly endless snacks (when in the office)
• Regular team socials… post-lockdown (eg. pub quizzes, dinners, theatre trips)
• The chance to have an impact across many areas of the business and to build a large team over time

Location

Our HQ is in London but we’re open to flexible workers who could come into the office 2-3 days per week.

How to apply

Upload your CV here, including a link to a cover letter explaining why you’d like to apply, why you’d like to work for Sifted and why you think you’d be a good fit for this role, addressed to Michael and Amy. Good luck!

If you do apply, please mention Journo Resources, it really helps us out!