At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead BBC News in the MENA region, overseeing editorial strategy and production.
- Company: Join the BBC, a trusted global news provider with a commitment to impartiality.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace valuing unique contributions from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on news delivery for millions in a critical region.
- Qualifications: Senior editorial leadership experience and understanding of regional markets required.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
BBC News is the world’s most trusted news provider, committed to delivering independent and impartial news in an increasingly polarized world. We are embarking on a transformative journey to enhance our global reach and develop our organisational structure to engage more with regional audiences.
As Regional Director, you will be responsible for editorial accountability and oversight for the Middle East and North Africa region and multiple language services. You will be empowered to develop and deliver the regional contribution to BBC News' strategic priorities. This is a critical role responsible for leading BBC News for an audience of 65m people weekly through Arabic, Persian, and Turkish language services and English on various platforms, including via emergency radio programming to reach audiences in Gaza, Yemen and Sudan.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Act as BBC News Representative: Represent BBC News as the most senior representative in your region, engaging with regulatory regional stakeholders and broadcast and digital partners.
- Provide Leadership: Offer creative, inspirational leadership and editorial vision to enhance the quality of output in line with BBC News' strategic priorities.
- Work collaboratively with areas of Global Directorate and BBC News to reduce duplication and share skills and support where appropriate.
- Develop a Regional Growth Plan: Set the editorial strategy and delivery plan for your region.
- Direct Journalism Production: Oversee the resources, commissioning, production and output of all journalism in your region, including all relevant language services, to enhance reputation and reach and provide value for money.
- Manage Regional Budget: Oversee the allocated regional budget, ensuring effective strategic spend and ongoing cost efficiencies.
- Contribute to Governance: Participate in divisional and wider BBC Senior Leader governance, influencing the strategic direction of BBC News.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
- Regional Knowledge - clear understanding of local markets and ideally some, if not all, of the languages serviced.
- Editorial Leadership - strong editorial and journalistic skills through understanding of how editorial outputs are commissioned, financed, produced, and regulated. Able to prioritise and oversee the management of multiple high-risk stories in a newsroom environment including breaking news and deployments.
- Global Mindset - able to adjust to different environments and cultures internationally.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
- Language skills - speaking Arabic fluently would be preferable.
JOB IMPACT
- Determine how the region will deliver the regional growth plan and drive strategic priorities in a critical market where media freedom is under pressure.
- Undertake a wide range of activities requiring complex analytics and decision-making.
- Lead the development of innovative solutions to facilitate BBC News' expansion into new directions or audience bases.
- Manage local language editorial teams and regional operational teams.
- Hold accountability for all editorial output for local audiences, operational performance, safety, and compliance.
- Build targeted regional partnerships and develop regionalized commercial strategies.
- Apply local insight and sector knowledge to understand the strengths and weaknesses of BBC News' services.
- Provide significant input to World Service Group and News & Current Affairs strategy.
- Develop clear editorial growth strategies for diverse and complex regions.
- Serve as the most senior role in the region and face-to-market for all key regional stakeholders, inclusive of government.
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 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. Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment 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.
At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world’s best loved content, and the BBC’s mission to inform, educate and entertain. Here you will benefit from fair pay and flexible benefits specific to your location and contract type, excellent career and professional development, and support in your working life.
We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity. We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.
Regional Director, News (MENA) 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 Regional Director, News (MENA)
✨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 Regional Director, News (MENA)
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 Regional Director, News (MENA) 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.
