Join the team!
We’re always on the lookout for people who are passionate about all things Birmingham to join our loyal team. Counteract covers the best in up-and-coming & established local bands, as well as international acts coming to Birmingham and surrounding areas. Not only that, but we love giving our readers the lowdown on the best coffee shops, bars, clubs and eateries in the region. We’ve built up a core following since our creation all the way back in April 2010, with tens of thousands of readers accessing the site on a monthly basis.
We’re also proud to to have hosted hundreds of gigs at some of the best local venues in the city and assist local bands and businesses with PR campaigns.
What is Counteract?
The aim of Counteract is simple. To Counteract the way media outlets run. We offer free advice and opportunities to young writers and photographers to try their hand at writing a review or photographing a show, or, if they would simply like a chat, we will offer experienced advice to those at a crossroads with their future career. We also give local bands exposure and reviews when others may turn them down just because they’re unheard of. We endeavour to listen to every local band that email us and we will cover as many as we possibly can. However, our schedule is becoming increasingly busy. So, in order to continue to give local bands the coverage they deserve, we are looking for dedicated and committed people to join the team!
Alongside covering our wonderful local bands, we also report on the national and international bands that visit our great region in the hope that someone from another part of the world will stumble across a brand-new, brilliant Birmingham band.
Positions
All current positions are on a voluntary basis unless stated otherwise; however, in return for your hard work reviewing and reporting, the benefits are handsome. You’ll receive guestlist or free tickets to some of the West Midlands’ best events, new albums before the release date and have the chance to interview some of your favourite bands in and around Birmingham. But most important of all, you’ll gain important experience that will set you in good stead for your future in the music industry, whether that be with Counteract or NME. Birmingham is on the up and we’d love for you to be a part of it.
So what are you waiting for? Firstly, have a browse of the website. If you like what you see and think this is for you, check out the criteria below and drop our editor an email (details at the bottom of this page.)
These roles are perfect for students looking to gain experience – but don’t worry if you’re not a student, it isn’t necessary for you to be one to join the team. If any of the job descriptions seem daunting, we are always on hand for a chat so make sure you get in touch even if you think you aren’t experienced enough!
We’re looking for people to fill the following roles:
Features Editor
Counteract’s Features Editor will look after and organise a small team of writers to ensure consistent features are published. You will be expected to come up with fresh features ideas that fit in with the tone and house style of Counteract, and it will be your responsibility to ensure that our team of writers meet their deadlines. You must be passionate about all things local and clued up on new music, restaurant/bar openings and events, committed to providing quality, consistent and coherent features on a weekly basis and be dedicated towards ensuring Counteract’s profile is kept at its already high standard. You must be able to comply with and delegate strict deadlines. Editorial and/or blogging experience is necessary.
Deputy Editor
Counteract’s Deputy Editor will deputise for either our Editor or Assistant Editor when they are not available. This is a part-time role, one which you may potentially need to be available for at short notice due to the nature of the industry. You must have fantastic communication skills as you will be dealing with a large team of writers and photographers. You must be passionate about local music, clued up on West Midlands areas, bands, musicians and venues, committed to providing quality, consistent and coherent news on a daily basis and be dedicated towards ensuring Counteract’s profile is kept at its already high standard. You must be able to comply with and delegate strict deadlines. Editorial and/or blogging experience is necessary.
Casual music writers
Our casual writers are key to the functioning of the website. The kind of perks you will receive include guestlist to gigs you review, brand-new albums ahead of release dates and the opportunity to interview your favourite artists. You will need to be able to work to deadlines, work in a team and have fantastic communication skills. Experience is preferred, but not necessary, and we’d love you to be able to write features on why you think Birmingham is great.
Casual film + TV writers
Got staunch opinions on which Kurosawa film is the best, or whether Green Book was a fitting Best Picture winner? We’re looking for passionate, tenacious writers to join our Film & TV section. You’ll get exclusive opportunities for local event coverage, and the chance to join a strong, up-and-coming team at an early juncture. In turn, you’ll need to be able to meet deadlines, take initiative, and actively contribute and engage with our current writers. Enthusiasm will always trump ability (why not both?), but some writing experience is preferred.
Casual photographers
Similar to our casual writers, our casual photographers are key to the functioning of the website. The kind of perks you will receive include photo passes for gigs, opportunities to photograph festivals and large-scale events and the opportunity of photoshoots with your favourite artists. You will need to be able to work to strict deadlines, work in a team and have fantastic communication skills. Experience is preferred.