Job Description

The Telegraph publishes more than 100 puzzles per week across print, digital, and web.

We are looking for an Assistant Puzzles Editor to join our team to support the Puzzles Editor and Deputy Puzzles Editor in the end-to-end production of our world-class puzzles.

This role is essential for maintaining the high standards of the department, providing critical support in editing, checking, and publishing all puzzle types for both our print pages and our evolving digital platforms. The successful candidate will handle a blend of editorial duties, technical production, and essential administrative tasks to ensure the smooth daily operation of the puzzles department.

Key responsibilities

• Editorial Support: Assist in editing and proofreading a wide range of puzzles, including word, number, and logic puzzles, ensuring they meet Telegraph standards for accuracy and fairness.
• Checking & Test-Solving: Rigorously check and test-solve puzzles, quizzes, and specialist columns to eliminate errors before publication.
• Digital & Print Publishing: Use in-house crossword-building systems and Content Management Systems (CMS) to load puzzles to our digital platforms and assist in laying out puzzle pages for the print edition.
• Administrative Tasks: Handle daily administrative duties, including responding to reader enquiries, managing correspondence, and raising production issues with the senior editorial team.
• General Departmental Support: Provide flexible support to the Puzzles Editor and Deputy Puzzles Editor on various projects, such as the production of Telegraph puzzle books.
• Quality Control: Maintain high attention to detail across all tasks to ensure that every puzzle published—regardless of platform—is flawless.

Requirements

Puzzle Proficiency: A genuine passion for logic and wordplay, with the ability to solve and edit a diverse range of word and number puzzles.

High Level of Accuracy: Great attention to detail and the ability to work to a high degree of accuracy under strict daily deadlines.

Strong Literacy Skills: An excellent command of the English language and professional-level proofreading skills.

Communication: A good communicator capable of interacting professionally with colleagues and responding helpfully to reader feedback or complaints.

It would be desirable if you had any of the following:

• Previous experience working within an editorial, puzzles, or gaming department.
• Experience using Adobe InDesign and Crossword Compiler.
• A strong interest in the puzzles market, player psychology, and emerging digital trends.

Benefits

The nature of our industry means life at the Telegraph Media Group is fast-paced, demanding, and interesting. We also want it to be rewarding for everyone who works here by creating a suite of benefits that contribute to lifestyle choices and leisure activities. From dynamic working opportunities, medical cover, and parental leave (six months fully paid maternity leave and enhanced paternity/partner leave), to life assurance and season ticket loans, you can choose from a range of flexible benefits, designed to support your lifestyle and help you achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Training and development

With support from your manager and colleagues, you’ll also have access to a variety of training and development opportunities through The Academy. Covering a range of personal and professional skills, our courses enable you to develop an enjoyable and rewarding career.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Telegraph Media Group, we foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and we are committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of skills, perspectives and backgrounds. We believe in equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

We are proud to be a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader as part of the government’s Disability Confident Scheme. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition and would like support in applying for any of our roles or if you require any reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process with us, please make us aware.

To find out more about Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Telegraph Media Group, and for more information on our purpose, beliefs, and people values, please visit our website.