About us

Newsdirect is a political monitoring company offering a range of information, research and training services.  We specialise in fast-paced monitoring of the devolved institutions and our services cover Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Westminster. Our team are energetic, fun and supportive of each other and our clients. We enjoy working in the midst of fast-breaking political developments and keeping our clients up to speed with everything they need to know about the world of politics each day.

What’s our objective?

Our clients rely on us to make a comprehensive daily check of all the political sources, policy influencers and parliamentary proceedings to spot the information relevant to their interests.  Every day we scan thousands of words and listen to many hours of live political discussions to find the references to our clients and their policy priorities.  Our team have to be highly-organised people and good communicators with the ability to produce accurate work to tight deadlines.  Does that sound like you?

What does an account manager do?

The role will require you to compile news briefings to deadlines in the first hours of each day.  Alongside these tasks, when parliament is sitting, a significant part of your working day will also involve summarising live proceedings. Over time, you’ll build up a close working relationship with your client teams, be proactive in understanding their policy priorities and be responsive to requests for follow-up information and research.

Who do we work for?

Our client portfolio is wide and includes culture, environment, health, social care, energy, education and housing.  Our clients are public bodies, campaigning charities, national brands and trade bodies.

What skills are we looking for?

We are looking for a highly-motivated individual to join our team as an account manager, looking after a small group of clients and taking responsibility for researching and collating daily and weekly monitoring reports.  You’ll be a first-class writer with the capacity to skim large volumes of material quickly, with speed of decision-making and good IT skills. Applicants will have demonstrable knowledge of the devolved governments and parliaments. We’re happy to welcome you into the team ASAP!

Salary and induction

We are offering a starting salary of £21,255 rising to £23,400 on 1 May 2024. We give 20 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and festive shut down days.  The role is suitable for home working but you must be UK-based with the right to work here. You’ll have access to office premises in Cardiff Bay on the days you want to come in. The induction and probationary period will involve regular in-person days at our Cardiff office, which will be scheduled to suit the successful candidate.

How to Apply

Please download and read carefully through the job information pack and follow the guidance on p5, How to Apply.  Applications which don’t follow the guidance on content and page limits will not be considered.

Please submit a covering letter and a CV via our website by midday on Friday 19 January.

Your covering letter should be a single page and tell us:

• Why you would like to be an account manager at Newsdirect
• About your experience of working in or around any of the Welsh political institutions or how your knowledge of the Welsh parliamentary process has been gained.
• Which two relevant skills or attributes you believe are most likely to help you succeed in this role.
• Your notice period or date you would be available from.
• Please not that covering letters which don’t address these points won’t be forwarded to the recruitment assessment panel and you’ll be asked to resubmit.

Your CV should be no more than two A4 pages. PDFs are preferred.