Sky News is seeking a data journalist to join our growing Data and Forensic Journalism team. You will be brimming with original ideas for data-driven journalism and excited about developing how that data is presented online via mobile, tablet and desktop, as well as on TV.
You’ll need to have journalistic and technical skills. You will pitch, research, report, and build data-driven stories for Sky News’ digital platforms while collaborating with editors, producers, correspondents, and developers. The ideal candidate will be able to visualise their data driven stories in new and imaginative ways. You will be able to find, clean and analyse data to write stories, and create compelling visualisations.
You will be just as comfortable creating fast turn-around on the day analysis as longer term more in-depth data led investigations. You will be happy both working on stories on your own and more collaboratively as part of our team.
About us
The Data and Forensic Journalism team is a multi-platform unit within Sky News. It brings together investigative reporters, data journalists, developers, and designers to provide compelling coverage across Sky’s digital and TV output. We are a team dedicated to journalistic transparency – displaying our working to help our audiences better understand the world and better trust the stories we report. We aim to engage and inform our audiences with multimedia storytelling including the use of information graphics, data visualisations and motion graphics as well as using OSINT skills to research our journalism and break original narrative stories.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and would encourage you to apply even if you do not have all the skills listed below. If you’re enthusiastic about the position we want to hear from you!
We can provide support to the right candidate to learn while in position.
What you’ll do:
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To pitch data-driven stories and ideas as to how they might be developed and visualised.
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To report on and analyse published data to support or identify daily news stories.
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To find patterns in data.
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To create compelling data visualisations based on your research and reporting.
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To write clear, accurate and concise copy.
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To have a good understanding of Sky News’s editorial policy and priorities.
What you might bring:
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You’ll need to have experience working with data, including collecting and cleaning data.
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Understanding of Excel and Google Sheets is essential.
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A knowledge of programming languages such as R, Python, and JavaScript is an advantage; or you should have an ability and keenness to learn them with our support.
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Ability to visualize complex ideas in a clear, accurate, creative, and intelligent manner.
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Experience of building data visualisations in a news environment using data visualisation tools such as Flourish and Datawrapper.
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It would be an advantage to have basic knowledge of scripting and front-end Web technologies for data visualisation and analysis (HTML, CSS).
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Proficiency at writing detailed and accessible articles presenting data analysis.
Sky News
Sky News is a world-class news service with a spirit of innovation and a fresh approach to story-telling. Our aim is to be the best and most trusted place for news, reflecting the diversity of our audience. Made by people who dare to challenge. Made for people who want clarity in an uncertain world.
The Rewards:
There's a reason people can't stop talking about #LifeAtSky. Our great range of rewards really are something special, here are just a few:
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Sky Q, for the TV you love all in one place
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A generous pension package
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Private healthcare
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Discounted mobile and broadband
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Access a wide range of exclusive Sky VIP rewards and experiences
How you'll work:
We know the world has changed, and we want to offer our employees the chance to collaborate at our unique office spaces, whilst enjoying the convenience of working from home.
We've adopted a hybrid working approach to give more flexibility on where and how we work. You'll find out more about what this means for this role during the recruitment process.
Your office base:
Osterley:
Our Osterley Campus is a 10-minute walk from Syon Lane train station. Or you can hop on one of our free shuttle buses that run to and from Osterley, Gunnersbury, Ealing Broadway and South Ealing tube stations. There’s also plenty of bike shelters and showers.
On campus, you’ll find 13 subsidised restaurants, cafes, and a Waitrose. You can keep in shape at our subsidised gym, catch the latest shows and movies at our cinema, get your car washed and even get pampered at our beauty salon.
Inclusion:
We take pride in our approach to diversity and inclusion: we’ve been recognised by The Times and Stonewall for this, and we’ve committed £30million to support the fight against racial injustice. We’ve also set ambitious targets for increasing ethnic diversity and representation throughout our organisation.
At Sky we don’t just look at your CV. We’re more focused on who you are and your potential. We also know that everyone has a life outside work, so we're happy to discuss flexible working.
And we'll do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our recruitment team who will be happy to support you.