Description

Summary of company:
The Future Laboratory is a strategic foresight consultancy. Since 2001, we have prepared clients for the future by giving them the confidence to take the decisions today that will create transformative growth tomorrow. We have grown into an organisation with international reach, employing some 40 people, based in Haggerston, London.
The Future Laboratory has foresight at the heart of everything we do. As an organisation we are inspiring, knowledgeable, forthright, charismatic and independent. We believe what we deliver is unique and game-changing, and we are committed to being ethical, responsible and socially minded.
Role Summary:
The senior sub-editor is responsible for checking a range of copy across all departments – LS:N Global, Applied Foresight, Strategy, Marketing – to ensure it is accurate and in line with the company’s house style and its policies on diversity, equity and inclusion. The successful candidate will be able to work across a variety of formats, from reports in InDesign to presentations in Keynote, Powerpoint and Google slides, to documents in Microsoft Word and Word Online, and articles on the LS:N CMS system.
Key responsibilities:
Editing copy from writers, foresight analysts, strategists, marketing and researchers to correct spelling and grammatical mistakes
Fact-checking, using trusted sources to ensure all copy is accurate
Making currency conversions
Simplifying language, clarifying grammar, untangling poor syntax
Ensuring copy is not libellous
Checking picture captions, headings, bullet points and other page furniture
Ensuring all copy adheres consistently to The Future Laboratory’s house style*
Rewriting material when necessary to improve clarity
Liaising with writers, editors, strategists and marketers to check unverified facts and details
Reading through reports once laid out and visualised
Discussing concerns, raising issues with editors and writers
Essential skills and experience:
Excellent sub-editing skills
Impeccable grasp of grammar, syntax, spelling (US and British English) and punctuation
Meticulous eye for detail
Highly organised
Ability to apply house style consistently
Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
Ability to work on different kinds of copy from across the company, including news, features and marketing
Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment and meet frequent deadlines
Excellent communication skills
Knowledge of Word, InDesign, Keynote, Powerpoint
Company Benefits
From your first day at The Future Laboratory you can expect to enjoy the following benefits:
Flexible working – employees are expected to attend the office on a minimum of two core days per week, but more, if required, at your manager’s discretion. The remaining days are flexible and can be worked remotely (core days are at the discretion of your line manager). We also offer flexible hours, which means employees can start as early as 8:00am and finish at 4:00pm, or start as late as 11:00am and finish at 7:00pm
Matched employee pension contributions up to 5%
Other benefits include Smart Health (access to health experts 24/7) and bereavement counselling, both of which are available to the employee and their families.
After passing your probation, you will be eligible to opt in to our dental scheme, take advantage of birthday leave – an extra day of holiday to take on your birthday – as well as many other great benefits, including an annual learning bursary, eye care, flu jabs and holiday purchase to name a few.
After two years of service, as well as enhanced parental leave, we also offer long service days, which means the employee is awarded an extra day of annual leave and will continue to receive an extra day each year (capped at five days).
Equal Opportunities:
The Future Laboratory is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to championing inclusion, diversity and equity throughout our organisation.
Our interview panels will include people of the global majority to reduce implicit bias and, where possible, a team member at the same level of seniority as the role we are hiring for.
Interviewers and panellists have also completed an allyship training course to ensure everyone receives the fairest opportunity possible.
We encourage candidates with disabilities to apply for roles at The Future Laboratory and we are dedicated to making reasonable adjustments from interviews through to employment.
We are committed to the employment and career development of people with disabilities and impairments and neurodivergent people. As part of this commitment, we operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for the position they have applied for.
Responsibility of all team members:
We are a multi-disciplinary team, but The Future Laboratory has a set of expectations that apply to all team members regardless of role and seniority. Team members must treat everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of seniority and background. All team members must work together to create a fair and equitable environment.