At a Glance
- Tasks: Create bold journalism for young audiences across radio, online, and social platforms.
- Company: Join the BBC News team in a fast-paced, creative environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all applicants.
- Why this job: Make an impact by engaging 15-24 year-olds with relevant news stories.
- Qualifications: Strong writing skills, a passion for news, and a knack for storytelling.
The predicted salary is between 27600 - 31000 £ per year.
JOB OVERVIEW
- CONTRACT TYPE: Full-time/Fixed-term until 31st December 2026
- DEPARTMENT: BBC News
- LOCATION: Birmingham
- PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £27,600 - £31,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience.
The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights. We work on a 7-day rota with a range of shifts including earlies, lates and weekends.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
Newsbeat is an industry leading multi-platform team delivering bold, original journalism for 15–24-year-olds across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Asian Network, BBC News Online and social platforms. We’re looking for a journalist who can do it all — write and read for radio, craft compelling online stories, and film and edit standout social content.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
In this fast-paced, creative newsroom, you’ll play a key role in the BBC’s mission to reach young and underserved audiences with journalism that’s trusted, relevant and genuinely speaks to them. You’ll need to understand what matters to young people and find fresh, inventive ways to tell those stories — pushing our editorial ambition and driving innovation along the way.
Are you full of great ideas? Have a knack for finding amazing guests and case studies? Love making radio that is fun and informative? Know where to look for stories? Or how to make engaging vids for socials? Are you passionate about engaging those hard-to-reach audiences?
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT
- You will be responsible for writing, reporting on and reading content - including stories and video for the BBC News website and Social platforms.
- Demonstrate sound editorial judgment and a strong understanding of young and diverse audiences to inform content strategy and decision‑making.
- Leverage excellent editorial judgment and audience insight to create content that resonates with young and diverse communities.
- You will use analytics and data to drive our journalism.
- You will be full of boundary‑pushing ideas for stories and guests.
- You will be passionate about engaging 15‑24s with national and global news.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
- A great broadcast voice.
- Interest in national and global news and current affairs, including politics, sport and entertainment.
- Excellent writing, production and organisational skills.
- A track record of delivering content with young and diverse audiences in mind.
- Good at generating original ideas.
- Excellent editorial judgement: making the right decisions based on a clear understanding of the BBC’s distinctive news agenda.
- Comprehensive understanding of modern digital trends, formats, platforms and analytics.
BENEFITS
- Fair pay and flexible benefits including a competitive salary package, a flexible 35‑hour working week, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pensions scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym.
- Excellent career and professional development.
- Support in your working life, including flexible working which you can discuss with us at any point during the application, selection or offer.
- A values‑based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.
Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis or on an orchestra conditions contract.
DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING
We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief.
DISABILITY CONFIDENT
We are a disability‑confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we’d be happy to discuss.
Journalist - Newsbeat in Birmingham employer: BBC Group and Public Services
Join the BBC News team in Birmingham as a Journalist for Newsbeat, where you'll be part of a dynamic and creative newsroom dedicated to delivering impactful journalism for young audiences. With a commitment to fair pay, flexible working hours, and excellent career development opportunities, the BBC fosters a supportive work culture that values diversity and innovation. Here, your ideas will shape the future of news, making it an exciting place for those passionate about engaging with 15-24-year-olds through compelling storytelling.
Contact Details:
BBC Group and Public Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Journalist - Newsbeat in Birmingham
✨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 Journalist - Newsbeat in Birmingham
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 Journalist - Newsbeat 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.
