At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead production meetings, assign tasks, and create impactful journalism.
- Company: Join the BBC News Northern Ireland team in a dynamic newsroom.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, part-time hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on digital storytelling and audience engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public understanding and drive important conversations.
- Qualifications: Strong production skills, news judgement, and a passion for storytelling.
The predicted salary is between 41200 - 47126 £ per year.
BAND: D
CONTRACT: Fixed Term Contract / Attachment, Part Time 17.5 hours per week until March 2027
DEPARTMENT: BBC News Northern Ireland
LOCATION: Belfast
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £41,200 - £47,126 per annum depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.
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 a Senior Journalist (Producer) 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.
DESIRABLE:
- 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.
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.
Senior Journalist - Part Time in Belfast employer: BBC Group and Public Services
At BBC Studios, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture in the heart of London. With competitive salaries, generous bonuses, and a commitment to employee growth, we empower our team to drive innovation and creativity in the media landscape. Join us to collaborate with industry leaders, develop your skills, and contribute to world-class commercial products that engage global audiences.
Contact Details:
BBC Group and Public Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Journalist - Part Time in Belfast
✨Get Involved in Local Journalism
Dive into your local journalism scene! Join organisations like the National Union of Journalists or local media groups to meet industry pros and find out about part-time opportunities. These connections can often lead to gigs that aren't even advertised online.
✨Create a Portfolio of Your Work
Start building a portfolio showcasing your writing, reporting, or multimedia content. Write feature articles or opinion pieces and self-publish them on platforms like Medium or a personal blog. This can impress potential employers like BBC Group and Public Services when you're applying for roles like Senior Journalist - Part Time.
✨Attend Media Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for journalism workshops, conferences, or networking events in your area. These are goldmines for both learning and meeting people who can help you find part-time positions. Plus, you never know who might be looking for their next star writer!
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Make sure to apply for the Senior Journalist - Part Time role at BBC Group and Public Services directly via our website. We love seeing applications come straight from passionate candidates, so put your best foot forward and show us what you've got!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Journalist - Part Time in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Style:In journalism, your unique voice matters! When applying for a part-time position, make sure to include samples of your best work. Whether it's articles, blog posts, or even social media snippets, we want to see how you express ideas and engage readers. Don’t shy away from showcasing pieces that reflect your interests!
Tailor Your CV for the Media World:Your CV should mirror the fast-paced nature of journalism. Highlight relevant courses, internships, or freelance gigs that speak to your passion for storytelling. We love to see any awards, recognitions, or even the content of a popular article that’s still piquing interest – quantify your achievements wherever you can!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:For a part-time role in journalism, your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your motivation and how this role fits with your career aspirations. Make it personal—tell us why you're excited about joining BBC Group and Public Services and how you can contribute to our narrative!
Think Digital: Showcase Your Online Presence:In the age of digital media, having a strong online presence is key. If you have a portfolio website, blog, or active social media accounts where you engage with current events and trends, include those links! This helps us see how you connect with the audience and keep your finger on the pulse of media at large.
How to prepare for a job interview at BBC Group and Public Services
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
For a part-time role in journalism-media, it’s vital to have a portfolio of your best writing samples at the ready. We should curate a selection of articles or reports that showcase your style and focus areas—whether it's investigative pieces or lifestyle articles—so you can demonstrate your versatility to BBC Group and Public Services.
✨Be Ready for Situational Questions
Expect situational questions that assess your ability to handle breaking news or tight deadlines. We want to think about specific examples where you’ve had to think on your feet, work under pressure, or adapt your story angle. These are pretty staples in the journalism field, and demonstrating your thought process can really impress!
✨Familiarise Yourself with Multimedia Tools
In modern journalism, it's not just about the written word anymore. Brush up on your skills with multimedia tools like Adobe Creative Suite or audio editing software, as these often come up in interviews. Knowing how to leverage these tools can show BBC Group and Public Services that you’re ready to contribute to a more dynamic storytelling approach.
✨Express Your Passion for the Craft
Since this is a part-time position, we can focus on expressing our enthusiasm for journalism as a career. Be prepared to chat about what drives your interest in particular stories or topics—whether it’s social issues or pop culture. This helps convey your genuine motivation and commitment to making an impact at BBC Group and Public Services!
