Digital Managing Editor, Smooth & Gold

# Accepting applications until:
30 October 2026
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Job Description

As Digital Managing Editor for Smooth and Gold, you'll lead the digital content strategy across two of the UK's best-loved radio brands, including Smooth's sister stations and Gold Radio.

With video at the heart of your approach, you'll shape how our audiences discover and engage with content across YouTube, social media, Global Player and our websites. From iconic music and unforgettable TV moments to film and pop culture, you'll bring fresh ideas to life, creating content that entertains, engages and grows our audiences. You'll lead a talented team of digital creatives, working closely with our on-air teams to deliver ambitious, audience-first content that brings both brands to life.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead and inspire the team: Manage, coach and develop the Smooth and Gold digital team, including social producers and video editors, creating a collaborative, high-performing environment.
- Drive our video strategy: Lead a video-first approach, with a particular focus on longform YouTube content and engaging shortform video across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Shorts.
- Shape the editorial direction: Own the digital content plan across Global Player, websites and social platforms, ensuring a consistent flow of engaging, relevant content.
- Create standout content: Bring music, TV, film and pop culture together through creative storytelling, celebrating the artists, personalities and cultural moments our audiences love.
- Collaborate with on-air teams: Work closely with presenters and producers to identify content opportunities, maximise interviews and create moments that connect broadcast and digital audiences.
- Champion editorial excellence: Maintain high editorial, creative and design standards across all platforms, ensuring content reflects each brand's identity and follows SEO best practices.
- Use insights to drive growth: Monitor performance, audience trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities, improve content and grow digital audiences.
- Work across Global: Collaborate with other brands and commercial teams to develop creative, co-branded content across video, editorial and social platforms.
- Bring the brands to life: Represent Smooth and Gold at key events, including premieres, concerts and other entertainment moments, identifying opportunities for engaging digital coverage.

What You'll Love About This Role

- Think Big: Shape the digital future of two iconic radio brands, reaching millions of people through creative, video-led storytelling.
- Own It: Take ownership of the digital editorial strategy, bringing fresh ideas and making a real impact on audience growth.
- Keep It Simple: Turn creative ideas and audience insights into clear, engaging content that connects with our audiences.
- Better Together: Work with talented people across digital, broadcast, video and commercial teams to create brilliant content

What Success Looks Like

In your first few months, you'll have:

- Built strong relationships and created a supportive, collaborative culture across the Smooth and Gold digital team.
- Established a clear video strategy, with a strong focus on longform YouTube and shortform social content.
- Developed an engaging editorial plan that reflects the identity of Smooth, its sister stations and Gold.
- Built strong partnerships with our on-air teams, creating content that connects broadcast and digital audiences.
- Used audience insights and performance data to identify opportunities for growth and improve content across platforms.

What You'll Need

Essential

- People leadership: Experience leading, coaching and developing creative or digital teams, with the confidence to provide feedback and drive performance.
- Video and YouTube expertise: A proven track record of developing video strategies and growing audiences, particularly through longform YouTube content.
- Social media experience: Strong knowledge of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, including content planning, publishing and scheduling tools.
- Editorial judgement: Experience developing and delivering digital content strategies within entertainment, media or another fast-paced editorial environment.
- Audience insight: Confidence using analytics and performance data to understand audiences, inform decisions and identify growth opportunities.
- Stakeholder management: Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to work confidently with presenters, creative teams and senior stakeholders.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a creative eye and strong attention to detail.
- Digital publishing: Experience using content management systems (CMS) and applying SEO best practices.
- Music and entertainment knowledge: A genuine passion for music, TV, film and pop culture, particularly from the 1960s through to the 2000s.

Desirable

- Hands-on experience with photo and video editing tools such as CapCut, Canva or Adobe Premiere Pro.
- Experience developing creative templates and content formats for digital and social platforms.
- Experience developing interactive digital products or experiences for large audiences.
- An interest in music genres such as soul, country and the wider music offering across Smooth's sister stations.