Data Journalist

As Data Journalist, you’ll lead MCA’s data and insights coverage, shaping how we interpret and communicate the key trends and metrics driving the hospitality sector. Often described as the Financial Times of the hospitality sector, MCA publishes daily news, analysis and insight on the eating and drinking-out market for our premium subscriber base. Covering multi-site operators from value to premium, our reporting spans everything from Greggs to Gail’s, Wetherspoons to The Ivy, and McDonald’s to Dishoom. MCA sits alongside Restaurant Online and the Morning Advertiser within William Reed’s hospitality division. Working closely with Lumina Intelligence and external insight partners, you’ll source, interpret and translate complex data into clear, compelling editorial. You’ll bring data to life through charts and visualisations, while building relationships with insight providers to secure access to distinctive datasets and develop opportunities for original research. The role also involves analysing financial disclosures from key sector companies and working with the editorial team to uncover news angles and develop insight-led features. You’ll play a central role in delivering authoritative, data-led content that meets the expectations of our senior audience and supports the growth of MCA’s paid subscription model. Your impact will be seen in the clarity and authority of our content, helping ensure MCA remains a trusted source of insight for the UK hospitality sector. We are open to this position being based in our London or Brighton office. If possible, please submit a link to your portfolio in the Personal Summary section on the application form. Alternatively, we will request examples of your writing during shortlisting. What You’ll Be Doing • Shaping the editorial direction of the daily digital newsletter, ensuring relevance, quality and impact. • Leading MCA’s data editorial agenda, proactively developing and pitching ideas, partnerships, and opportunities to the wider team. • Owning and evolving MCA’s data visualisation strategy, enhancing how insight is presented across coverage. • Building and maintaining trusted relationships with key insight providers, identifying compelling data-led angles for editorial output. • Representing MCA at internal and external events and conferences, contributing ideas, supporting speaker and panellist recruitment, and helping shape event programmes. • Analysing website performance data to identify what drives registrations, engagement, and return visits, sharing actionable insights to inform team strategy. What You’ll Need • Proven experience working with data and translating it into clear, compelling editorial or content, gained either as a journalist within a B2B, business or hospitality-focused media brand, or from an insights background with an interest in developing a career in data-led journalism • Strong writing and editing skills and a flair for turning trends and data into compelling stories. • Ability to create engaging, data-driven content for digital platforms, including financial and analytical journalism supported by clear storytelling and visualisation. • Strong analytical skills, with experience using spreadsheets to interpret data, spot patterns, and uncover original story angles. • Ability to identify, secure, and collaborate with relevant data partners to produce distinctive, insight-led content. • An understanding of business and financial concepts, including economics, public markets, listed companies, investment, private equity, commercial property, executive leadership, and corporate culture. • A proactive and energetic mindset, with a drive to produce a consistent stream of original analysis, interviews, and must-read editorial. • Curiosity about emerging trends - ranging from consumer behaviour to technology - and the ability to translate these into meaningful insights for our subscriber audience. • Strong networking skills and a willingness to build and maintain industry relationships within hospitality and its wider ecosystem. • A clear understanding of audience engagement, with the ability to amplify content reach and impact across multiple platforms, including social media. Benefits & Initiatives • Generous annual leave –25 days plus standard England and Wales bank holidays for full-time employees • Long service holiday reward – Receive an extra day's annual leave for each year of service after six years, up to a maximum of 30 days plus bank holidays for full-time colleagues • Christmas office closure – Enjoy additional paid leave between Christmas Day and New Year's Day to cover discretionary office closure days • Holiday purchase scheme – Buy up to three additional days' annual leave each year and spread the cost over up to six months • MeDay – Take an additional paid day off to celebrate your birthday, a cultural or religious event, or another occasion that is meaningful to you • Volunteering day – One paid day each year to support a charity, community group or cause close to your heart • Hybrid and agile working – Flexible ways of working to help you balance work and life commitments (role dependent) • Enhanced pension contributions – Benefit from employer pension contributions above the statutory minimum • Life assurance – Providing financial protection and peace of mind for you and your loved ones • Group Income Protection – Financial support if you're unable to work due to long-term illness or injury • Family-friendly policies – Enhanced pay entitlements to support you and your family during important life events • Health and wellbeing support, including: • Healthcare cash plan • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) • Virtual GP service • Health and wellbeing resources and tools • Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Supported by employee-led networks, with a culture where everyone feels welcome and valued. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer • Cycle to Work scheme – Save money and support a healthier commute • Electric Car scheme – Access an affordable and sustainable way to drive an electric vehicle