Journalism Researcher - Today Programme

JOB BAND: B
CONTRACT TYPE: 6 Months Fixed Term Contract/Attachment
DEPARTMENT: BBC News
LOCATION: London Broadcasting House
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £24,300 - £33,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage. (delete if not applicable)

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

We are looking for a creative and motivated researcher for the Today Programme. You will be working on one of the most high-profile news programmes in the UK, with a huge audience of around 6 million people. The role will involve a mix of editorial and logistical support – pitching ideas, speaking to guests, arranging technical details, and supporting on-air editors in the studio.
The Today Programme is on Radio 4 from 6am-9am Monday to Friday, and 7am-9am on Saturdays. The role involves early shifts which run from 5am-2pm and late shifts which are 2pm-Midnight.

Why Join the Team

Today is the biggest morning news show in the UK, and our journalism has far-reaching impact and wide reach. We want you to help us set the news agenda, find the guests and angles which break new ground, and create great moments of radio which make people stop and listen.
This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with lots of ideas, strong organisational skills, and a feel for radio. Some of the best programme makers in audio started their careers in this role.

Your Key Responsibilities and Impact

• Finding and speaking to high-calibre guests, and making sure the logistics are all booked and clearly communicated to the rest of the team
• Working in the studio cubicle when the programme is on air to assist with logistics and completing records of the programme as broadcast
• Writing in live running orders to ensure key bits of programme furniture are updated
• Contributing original ideas and fresh treatments for items on the programme
• Researching a wide range of stories and topics, and producing high quality briefs consistent with BBC editorial guidelines and style

Your Skills and Experience

Essential Criteria

• Strong organisational skills and close attention to detail
• Ability to deal with high-profile guests and fix new voices for the programme
• Proven ability to find, pitch and deliver a range of creative ideas for a national news programme
• Experience mixing and editing pieces of audio that will catch the listener’s ear and make the programme sound distinctive
• Proven research skills and editorial judgement to produce clear, high-quality presenter briefs

Disclaimer

This is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

For any general queries, please contact: [email protected]

Redeployment

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.