At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead production meetings, assign tasks, and create impactful journalism.
- Company: Join the BBC Northern Ireland team in a dynamic newsroom.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on digital storytelling.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public understanding and drive important conversations.
- Qualifications: First-class production skills and strong news judgement required.
The predicted salary is between 41200 - 47126 £ per year.
Interviews will take place during the week commencing July 27th JOB BAND: D CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed-term, Full-time Contract until January 2027 Fixed-term Contract until May 2027 - Part Time 17.5 hours per week.
DEPARTMENT: BBC News Northern Ireland LOCATION: Belfast PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £41,200 - £47,126 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.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE BBC News Northern Ireland provides breaking news, analysis, features and debate plus coverage on topical issues across all platforms for local audiences and beyond.
We are transforming its news operation to make it future fit in a rapidly changing and diversifying news media climate, with audience needs coming first and with digital at its heart.
We are seeking to appoint three Senior Journalists (Producers) to work initially within our Digital News team, although they may be required to work across the wider newsroom.
Staff in the Digital News team work across the news website, social media and radio news bulletins.
Senior Journalists have high levels of production skills, a reputation for creative thinking and a thorough grasp of the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and journalism law.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM Joining the Belfast newsroom offers the chance to operate and grow in a busy and fast paced news environment.
Your work will help inform public understanding, drive important conversations across platforms, and make a real impact.
It’s a dynamic environment where your voice matters and your decisions will really shape the content we offer to our audiences.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT Lead daily production meetings in their output area and then assign tasks to Journalists, Reporters and Researchers.
Commission output for their production area and deploy resources in a cost effective way, provide forward planning and production support.
Motivate teams to think creatively and respond quickly to breaking news and support junior staff members to help them grow and develop in their role.
Contribute to the production of original journalism.
Deal with complex legal and editorial issues.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL CRITERIA: Demonstrable first-class production skills, strong news judgement and decision-making ability, with experience of operating calmly under pressure and managing complex legal and editorial issues.
A creative storyteller with a passion for producing original, impactful journalism that informs audiences, sets the news agenda and gets people talking.
Proven ability to generate distinctive journalism through strong contact-building skills, a wealth of sources and the ability to persuade people to contribute to stories.
An in-depth knowledge of politics, current affairs, cultural life, and domestic and international news, with a particular understanding of issues affecting Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and beyond.
A strong understanding of the evolving media landscape, with digital storytelling at the forefront, and the ability to write clear, concise copy that works effectively across multiple platforms and outlets.
DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED: Experience in managing people, good interpersonal and communication skills and a keenness to collaborate.
A track record in delivering original journalism.
Have knowledge of our audience needs and output, demonstrating a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Have experience using audience insight tools to look at and measure engagement.
Have an understanding of how audiences operate in a digital space.
If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.
Disclaimer This job description 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
Contact Details:
BBC Group and Public Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Journalist, BBC Northern Ireland in Belfast
✨Get Involved in Local Journalism
Join local journalism groups or community events to meet industry folks and make connections. Try volunteering for community newspapers or online platforms – it's a great way to get your foot in the door and show your commitment to the craft.
✨Showcase Your Work Online
Create a personal website or a blog to showcase your best articles, videos, or multimedia projects. This not only highlights your skills but also demonstrates your passion for journalism and helps establish your personal brand in the media landscape.
✨Stay Updated on the Industry Trends
Follow industry leaders on social media and stay updated on the latest trends in journalism. Engage with them by sharing your thoughts or asking questions – you never know when an informative tweet might catch the eye of a recruiter or journalist at BBC Group and Public Services!
✨Explore Internships for Full-Time Opportunities
Don’t shy away from internships, even if you’re looking for full-time roles. Many journalism companies, like BBC Group and Public Services, often hire from their intern pool, so using these as stepping stones can really pay off. Keep an eye on their career page for any openings!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Journalist, BBC Northern Ireland in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Skills:In journalism and media, your ability to write well is essential, so make sure your CV and cover letter reflect that. Include diverse writing samples, whether they’re articles, blog posts, or reports, that showcase your style and versatility. We want to see your voice and ability to engage an audience from the get-go!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've interned at a media outlet or contributed to any publications—whether student-run or professional—don't keep it a secret! We love seeing real-world experience, so clearly detail your responsibilities and achievements. Quantify your impact where possible, like mentioning audience growth or story reach.
Tailor Your Application for BBC Group and Public Services:When applying for the Senior Journalist, BBC Northern Ireland role at BBC Group and Public Services, really dig into what makes their content stand out. Reference their tone, style, or any recent articles that resonated with you in your cover letter. This shows we you’re not just sending out generic applications—you’re genuinely interested in what we do!
Prepare for a Portfolio Spotlight:Since you're applying for a full-time role, you're likely expected to have a portfolio ready to go. Make sure to curate a selection of your best work that aligns with what BBC Group and Public Services produces. Provide a link to your online portfolio in your CV and be prepared to discuss your favourite pieces in interviews—this is your chance to shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at BBC Group and Public Services
✨Show Off Your Writing Skills
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best writing samples. This is crucial in journalism as hiring managers want to see your voice and style. Make sure to include a variety of pieces, like news articles, features, and opinion pieces, showing your versatility.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
During the interview, be ready to discuss how you approach storytelling. You might be asked to outline a story you reported on, your process for gathering information, and how you engage your audience. Practice telling a couple of your best stories concisely and compellingly.
✨Know the Current Media Landscape
Be prepared to discuss industry trends and how they affect journalism today. Familiarise yourself with key developments in media, and have opinions ready for discussions about digital versus traditional platforms, as well as ethical considerations in reporting.
✨Convey Your Passion and Drive
As you’re applying for a full-time role, they’ll want to know about your long-term commitment to journalism. Share your aspirations for future projects, any internships or freelance work, and how you see yourself growing within BBC Group and Public Services. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
