SEO Editor (12 Month FTC) London

The Sun (UK) shows a mixed work environment: a Glassdoor rating of 3.1/5 based on 30 reviews, with some employees praising a supportive, collaborative team and others reporting a toxic culture and micromanagement. Career development and compensation appear uneven, with Glassdoor category scores around 3.1 for Career opportunities and 3.2 for Compensation and benefits, and some reviews noting limited advancement and low pay in certain roles. CSR and sustainability are highlighted positively at the parent company level, with News UK detailing ongoing environmental initiatives such as a large reduction in The Sun’s programmatic ad energy use (87%) and a pledge to source 100% certified paper by 2025. Financial health shows pressure from print declines and a shift to digital, with NGN revenue down 3% to £296.3m for the year ending June 30, 2024 and an operating loss of £18m, though cost controls mitigated losses somewhat. Confidence note: these employee insights come from 30 Glassdoor reviews and may not represent all staff; reader sentiment is far more negative on Trustpilot, where The Sun has a 1.2/5 TrustScore from about 650 reviews. (glassdoor.co.uk)

What does the role involve?

You will help lead The Sun’s SEO strategy across thesun.co.uk, the-sun.com, thescottishsun.co.uk and thesun.ie, optimizing content for search engines and large language models. You’ll work with editors, data teams, and product to grow organic traffic, Discover, and Google News presence, and contribute to sign-up growth for The Sun Club. This role blends newsroom storytelling with technical SEO and strategic thinking.

What are the key success metrics?

Success is measured by growth in organic traffic and improved search visibility on Google News and Discover. You’ll track premium sign-ups, reader engagement, and conversion metrics, using data to iterate with editorial and product teams. The goal is to amplify reach while preserving The Sun’s distinctive voice.

What makes this role unique at The Sun?

You’ll work at a mass-market, scale-first newsroom with a four-domain footprint, including thesun.co.uk and thesun.ie. There’s a strong emphasis on AI-enabled optimization, live blogs, trending content, and the premium Club funnel. If you enjoy blending journalism with technical strategy, this is your chance to shape how millions discover and engage with the news.

What experience and skills are required?

Hands-on SEO experience, a track record of growing organic search, and comfort collaborating with journalists, editors, and engineers. You should be proficient with keyword research, on-page optimization, technical SEO, and analytics, plus familiarity with newsroom workflows. Knowledge of AI/LLMs and how they affect content discovery is a plus.

What is the team culture like?

The Sun culture prizes speed, clarity, and impact, with a bias toward experimentation and data-driven decision making. You’ll join a cross-functional team spanning editorial, product, and data, all focused on delivering value to millions of readers. There’s a collaborative, fast-paced vibe where bold ideas can move quickly from concept to live coverage.

What are the next steps in the application process?

Apply with your CV and portfolio demonstrating SEO work in news or media. Shortlisted candidates will meet editorial, SEO, and product leads, followed by a final discussion with senior leadership. If successful, you’ll come on board on a 12-month FTC in London with clearly defined goals and milestones.