Associate Editor

Job Description

Job Summary

If you're passionate about digital storytelling, sports journalism and shaping how sports news is told across the EMEA region, this is your opportunity to join ESPN in a permanent, full-time role with competitive benefits.

ESPN is looking for a collaborative, digital-savvy Associate Editor to help lead our London-based news desk. In this role, you'll support the delivery of compelling sports coverage with a global perspective, while also helping elevate diverse voices across our platforms.

At ESPN, we believe that sports belong to everyone. We're committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the fans we serve - across gender, culture, ability and background. If you're excited by inclusive storytelling, teamwork and making an impact through content, we want to hear from you.

You'll be part of a team that values inclusive culture, where your voice and ideas matter - regardless of background or identity. With global reach and a vast audience, you'll play a key role in content that resonates across borders.

Reporting to the Deputy Editor, you'll collaborate with talented journalists, editors, and producers to ensure we meet our mission: to Serve Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.

The Opportunity & Responsibilities:
• Lead the publishing of breaking news and live coverage with speed, accuracy and editorial quality.
• Use audience insights and data to shape content strategy and optimise reach to meet the ESPN mission to Serve Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.
• Plan digital coverage in collaboration with reporters and editors across regions and formats.
• Ensure all content meets SEO and platform optimisation guidelines.
• Develop strategic content calendars across key sporting moments.
• Champion journalistic integrity while supporting emerging voices in our newsroom.
• Collaborate with global ESPN teams, including social, broadcast, and video.
• Work on big stories - from global tournaments to untold, underrepresented narratives.

The Experience We Require From You:

Essential
• Formal journalism training or equivalent professional editorial experience.
• Proven experience working in a digital news environment.
• Comfortable working regular weekends, late nights and flexible hours to cover live sports scheduling.

Nice-to-Haves
• A broad understanding of major sports - from football to F1, rugby union, cricket, boxing, tennis and more.
• Familiarity with American sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB).
• Ability to plan content weekly, monthly and annually across the sports calendar.
• Experience in commissioning digital content and working with reporters.
• Hands-on knowledge of digital tools and platforms - live blogs, alerts, newsletters, podcasts, digital video, websites and apps.
• Understanding of SEO and the use of digital analytics for publishing.

The Perks
• 25 days annual leave.
• Private medical insurance & dental care.
• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free.
• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing.
• Excellent parental and guardian leave.
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided the necessary accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive all benefits of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-5b77x7-18-222-22-154-42 in your application.