Senior Production Coordinator in Chiswick

The role sits in production department to support the content production and broadcast operations of CGTN Europe. Working across the Company’s departments and platforms, the role is responsible for coordinating daily production operations, resource allocation, staff and freelancer scheduling, and operational logistics. The postholder will liaise closely with line managers, HR, Finance and other relevant stakeholders to ensure efficient workflows, effective resource utilisation, accurate financial administration and the timely, appropriate and confidential flow of information.

The role requires a high level of organisation, flexibility and discretion, particularly in responding to the changing demands of a live news environment and breaking news situations.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Scheduling and Resource Management

• Oversee the preparation, maintenance and coordination of staff and freelancer schedules and rosters across departments and platforms.
• Coordinate cross-functional communication to support smooth workflows, effective resource allocation and operational efficiency.
• Assess staffing requirements and allocate staff and freelancers appropriately, taking account of skills, experience, availability, production requirements and budgetary constraints.
• Maintain an up-to-date freelancer contact list and availability records, ensuring appropriate coverage for planned production requirements and urgent or emergency deployments.
• Monitor shift distribution and staffing levels to promote a balanced and effective allocation of work.
• Liaise with relevant line managers and production teams to resolve scheduling conflicts and respond to changing operational priorities.

2. Freelancer Management and Financial Administration

• Coordinate freelancer bookings and maintain accurate records of engagements, availability and associated costs.
• Support line managers in preparing and submitting monthly freelance budget forecasts, monitoring expenditure against budgets and reporting relevant financial information.
• Check, reconcile and approve freelance timesheets in accordance with the Company's procedures and payment requirements.
• Assist with freelancer onboarding by collecting relevant documentation, preparing Temporary Worker (TW) forms and other internal documentation, coordinating bookings and arranging office access or sign-in procedures.
• Liaise with relevant departments to ensure freelancer engagements and related payments are processed accurately and efficiently.

3. Staff Absence and Leave Administration

• Use the Company's internal systems to monitor sickness, absences, annual leave allowances and other relevant staff records.
• Process leave and absence requests in accordance with Company policies, delegated authority and operational requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of staff absences and time off in lieu (TOIL), ensuring relevant systems are updated promptly.
• Liaise with HR, Executive Producers (EPs) and line managers on absence management, leave arrangements and related operational matters, escalating issues where appropriate.

4. News Deployments and Travel Logistics

• Manage and coordinate multiple domestic and international news deployments and associated travel arrangements, responding to changing editorial and operational requirements.
• Issue story codes, obtain and compare quotations where required, make budget planning, coordinate bookings and maintain accurate deployment records.
• Collate, check and process deployment-related expenses and reimbursement claims in accordance with Company policies and procedures.
• Arrange visas, press accreditation and other required travel documentation within relevant deadlines.
• Maintain and update the travel documentation tracker, including passport and other essential document information, ensuring appropriate access controls and confidentiality.
• Liaise with relevant departments and external service providers to resolve travel and deployment issues efficiently.

5. Operational Facilities and Transport Coordination

• Administer taxi codes, coordinate taxi bookings and reconcile related usage and costs.
• Allocate and coordinate parking spaces in line with operational requirements and available capacity.
• Monitor related operational arrangements and liaise with relevant internal teams and external providers to address issues promptly.

6. Occasional Events and Outside Broadcasts (OBs)

• Coordinate the operational planning and delivery of Company events and Outside Broadcasts, working closely with relevant production teams and stakeholders.
• Attend planning meetings and conduct site visits where necessary to assess locations, logistics and operational requirements.
• Coordinate staffing, travel, transport, equipment or other logistical arrangements as required for events and OBs.
• Monitor event-related expenditure and maintain budget records, escalating potential cost or operational issues to the relevant managers.
• Support the smooth delivery of events and OBs by coordinating arrangements across departments and responding to changes in requirements.

7. Communication and General Responsibilities

• Maintain effective working relationships across departments and platforms, facilitating clear, timely and professional communication between stakeholders.
• Liaise with HR, the Executive Office, Finance, line managers, EPs and other relevant colleagues to support the Company's daily operations.
• Handle confidential, personal and commercially sensitive information with appropriate care, discretion and in accordance with Company policies.
• Identify operational issues and opportunities for improving scheduling, resource allocation, administrative processes and cross-departmental coordination.
• Undertake other duties reasonably assigned by management that are consistent with the scope and level of the role.

Person specification:

• At least five years' experience in a comparable production coordination, production management or operational coordination role, preferably within television broadcasting or a live news environment.
• Strong knowledge of news and features production, with an understanding of the operational requirements of multi-platform broadcasting and digital production.
• Excellent organisational, planning, logistical and administrative skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong budgetary and financial administration skills, including cost tracking, budget monitoring, timesheet reconciliation and expense processing.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise competing demands, respond calmly under pressure and adapt quickly to breaking news and changing production requirements.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments while exercising sound judgement, tact, diplomacy and discretion.
• High levels of accuracy, attention to detail and confidentiality when handling staff information, travel documentation and financial records.
• A proactive, flexible and solution-oriented approach, with the ability to work independently and take appropriate initiative.
• A good understanding of the Company's vision and strategic objectives, and of how effective cross-platform coordination supports their delivery.
• Experience coordinating freelancer engagement, staff rostering and resource allocation in a broadcast newsroom.
• Familiarity with production scheduling systems, internal administrative platforms and digital tools used for travel and operational coordination.
• Experience supporting international news deployments, visa and accreditation arrangements, events and Outside Broadcasts.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience is desirable.

About CGTN Europe

CGTN Europe Ltd. is an award winning, multi-cultural and multimedia production centre located in Chiswick Business Park in West London. It operates from a state of the art, purpose-built newsroom, covering international business and politics with a European focus. CGTN Europe uncovers and explains news and trends from within Europe for a worldwide audience while also delivering new perspectives and voices to contextualise global stories. CGTN Europe Ltd. serves as the primary content provider for CGTN, which is an international media organisation launched on December 31, 2016. CGTN strives to deliver objective, balanced, impartial news, and current affairs content, presenting a Chinese perspective.

CGTN is committed to achieving a working environment which provides equality of opportunity, value, and respect, regardless of race, religion or belief, national origin, marital or civil partnership status, maternity or pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender or gender reassignment or any other protected group status.

Our diverse employees individually contribute to CGTN’s programming, live output and across a range of online platforms and podcasts. We continue to encourage talented people from all backgrounds to apply to our roles and to welcome into our company.

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