Commissioning Editor and Writer job

Location: Kennington, London, five days a week in the office 
Contract: Full-time
Reporting to: Editorial Director 

Salary: £40,000 - £55,000 (depending on experience)

Closing date: May 15 2026  

Goalhanger is one of the world’s most exciting independent media companies, the team behind award-winning shows, including The Rest Is Politics, The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Football, The Rest Is Entertainment, and a fast-growing slate. 

We’re a creative, fast-moving organisation with big ambitions and a brilliant team that makes them happen.

This is an exciting opportunity to join, and be part of shaping, a growing company in an environment which is very different to a traditional newsroom or newspaper.

This role will be part of a new department of the business, building out our written journalism offering, from newsletters to long reads.

We’re looking for a commissioning editor and writer to help us deliver our next stage of growth.

The applicant will need to be comfortable writing across a range of topics, from history to US politics and beyond. 

We are looking for someone who is full of ideas for articles and adept at commissioning experts for pieces, as well as spotting brilliant guest writers across a wide range of subject areas.

What you’ll do:

• Sit in on show recordings and come up with ideas for written pieces to complement them.

• Write newsletters tailored to our audiences as well as feature-style interviews and  long reads (with an initial focus on history, politics and US politics).

• Commission experts (from historians to politicians or industry leaders) to write for us.

• Work closely with our production teams, planning ahead and understanding the best ways to enhance the value of the show in written formats.

• Be full of ideas for how we can create journalism which converts to membership.

• Constantly be monitoring the latest opportunities in the world of media and beyond to understand how we can reach larger audiences.

• Analyse data and become immersed in our audience feedback so that we reflect their needs and interests.

• This is a start-up environment where you will be helping to build and shape a new department from scratch.

What we’re looking for:

• Someone who is as passionate about building something new as they are about creating brilliant pieces. 

• A minimum of four years working in journalism (in a writing or commissioning role). This job would not suit someone at the very start of their career. 

• An enterprising self-starter who learns quickly.

• Strong writing skills and plenty of story ideas.

• A keen interest in history and/or politics.

• An ability to learn how to use new tools quickly.

• Excellent organisational skills.

• An interest in audience strategy and a desire to learn more.

Why join Goalhanger?

• A rare opportunity to help shape the output of one of the world’s most exciting new media companies. 

• A chance to join a team at the very start of its own journey within this fast-paced business.

• A creative, collaborative, close-knit team that genuinely cares about its work and each other.

• Competitive salary and benefits, plus opportunities for growth within the role as our team and content portfolio expand.

• A working environment that values curiosity, autonomy, humour, delivery and purpose.

How to apply:

Attach your CV and the following on the next page of the application:

• One piece you’ve had published which shows your writing style and ability to come up with ideas. No cover letter required.

• Compile a list of at least three story ideas (200 words each): Two ideas should relate to any single The Rest Is History series. The other should relate to an episode of The Rest Is Politics US from within the last month.

We will check answers to see if they were generated by AI and candidates who are shortlisted for an interview will be asked to complete an in-person task.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Goalhanger is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, communities, and experiences.

Adjustments & Accessibility

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to discuss how we can support you.