At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative publicity campaigns for BBC Radio 4 programmes and podcasts.
- Company: Join the iconic BBC Radio 4 team in a hybrid working environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborate with top talent and contribute to high-profile projects in a dynamic media landscape.
- Why this job: Be part of impactful storytelling and engage with millions of listeners every week.
- Qualifications: Passion for radio and proven experience in delivering effective publicity campaigns.
The predicted salary is between 32500 - 40500 £ per year.
CONTRACT TYPE: 12-month FTC / Attachment, Full-time (maternity cover, anticipated to run 28/09/26 to 27/09/27)
DEPARTMENT: Communications, BBC Chief Operating Group
LOCATION: London - hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days in the office
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £32,500 - £40,000, plus London weighting (£5,441pa), depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
We have a vacancy for a Publicist role within the Communications team, working across BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 commissions for BBC Sounds. This is a fantastic opportunity for a creative, proactive and enthusiastic publicist with a passion for live radio, podcasts and impactful storytelling. In this role, you’ll be leading on publicity for priority BBC Radio 4 programmes, podcasts, talent and editorial moments, working across some of the most loved, talked about and culturally significant audio content in the UK.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
BBC Radio 4 is one of the BBC’s most important and distinctive brands, home to trusted journalism, world-class drama, comedy, factual programming, arts, culture and entertainment. The network reaches over nine million listeners every week and plays a central role in the BBC’s audio strategy, both on linear radio and on demand listening.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:
- Lead creative, integrated publicity campaigns for priority BBC Radio 4 programmes, podcasts, presenters and editorial moments across print, online, broadcast and digital platforms.
- Deliver proactive campaigns from planning and messaging through to press materials, pitching, interviews, talent coordination and media opportunities.
- Secure strong media coverage by identifying compelling stories, developing clear narratives and building trusted relationships with journalists across news, arts, culture, entertainment, audio, TV, podcast and digital media.
- Manage daily reactive press activity, including journalist enquiries, breaking news lines, sensitive issues and high-profile editorial moments.
- Work confidently with senior stakeholders, editors, commissioners, programme makers, presenters, talent, agents, independent producers and external publicists to develop and deliver effective publicity strategies.
- Provide clear communications and reputational advice to senior colleagues, helping to manage risks and align messaging with wider BBC priorities.
- Support forward planning across the Radio 4 schedule and wider speech audio publicity, including BBC Sounds campaigns, programme information, diary management, opportunity spotting and risk flagging.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
- A passion for radio, podcasts, speech audio and distinctive BBC storytelling, with strong ideas for how to spotlight Radio 4 content to reach broad and new audiences.
- A proven track record of planning and delivering creative, effective publicity campaigns that secure strong coverage across print, online and broadcast media, as well as maximising digital and social media opportunities.
- Strong news judgement and understanding of media cycles, with experience spotting stories, managing reactive press enquiries and handling sensitive or high-profile reputational issues.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to work collaboratively with senior colleagues, editorial teams, talent, agents, producers and external partners.
- Excellent writing, organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to create effective campaign content and manage competing demands across a busy, fast-moving slate.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA:
- Experience of delivering publicity campaigns for radio, podcasts, audio or other editorial content within a media, cultural or creative organisation.
- Experience working with content creators and digital talent to develop engaging publicity opportunities that reach new and diverse audiences.
- Excellent contacts and established relationships across the podcast and broadcast media and wider audio industry.
Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Contracts of Employment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.
Closes 5 August 2026
Publicist, BBC Radio 4, 12 month FTC 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 Publicist, BBC Radio 4, 12 month FTC
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We think you need these skills to ace Publicist, BBC Radio 4, 12 month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of BBC Group and Public Services. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at BBC Group and Public Services.
How to prepare for a job interview at BBC Group and Public Services
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
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Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
