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- Tasks: Lead and innovate long-form journalism and documentaries at BBC News.
- Company: Join BBC News, the world's most trusted news organisation, known for impartial journalism.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for digital transformation and impactful storytelling.
- Why this job: Shape the future of journalism while working on high-impact stories that inspire audiences globally.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in media, strong editorial judgement, and experience in digital content strategies required.
- Other info: This role is pivotal in driving change and enhancing collaboration across BBC divisions.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Position description
BBC News is the world’s most trusted news organisation, delivering independent, impartial journalism in an increasingly polarised world. We are now seeking a strategic, transformational leader with excellent editorial credentials to take on a pivotal new role on the BBC News board.
As the Director, News Documentaries and Long Form Journalism, you will sit at the heart of the BBC News Senior Leadership Team, shaping the strategic vision and direction for our long-form journalism and current affairs output. This role will, for the first time, provide unified strategic oversight of all long-form documentary commissions, including world service and international commissioning and production.
The role will deliver the digital transformation of the BBC’s Current Affairs offering across all platforms including BBC iPlayer – the UK’s fastest growing streamer. It offers a rare opportunity to lead the BBC’s most groundbreaking and impactful storytelling. You will bring a forward-thinking vision, ensuring our journalism remains essential, innovative and connects with where audiences are going, not just where they’ve been.
The role is being introduced as part of theBBC News Action Plan in response to the recentPeter Johnston Review into the BBC documentary Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone. The Director will have the mandate to review the BBC structures and processes to ensure we continue to produce powerful public interest current affairs journalism, while also upholding robust editorial compliance and fully implementing the findings of the Review.
The Director will also play a key role in shaping broader editorial strategies and driving excellence across the organisation by strengthening cross-divisional collaboration with BBC Nations and the Content division.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
Each and every day, BBC News brings audiences the very best journalism on the stories of the moment. Our outstanding current affairs teams produce exceptional documentaries and original and investigative journalism that is both ground-breaking and thought provoking. As Director, News Documentaries and Long Form Journalism you’ll join a team committed to journalistic excellence and innovation, with the opportunity to shape the future of long-form storytelling at a critical time. You’ll lead a talented and passionate group of programme-makers, working on some of the most high-impact journalism in the UK and globally. With the full backing of senior leadership, you’ll have the platform to drive meaningful transformation, ensuring our long form output continues to challenge, inform, and inspire audiences in new and powerful ways.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT
• Provide strategic oversight and direction for all documentaries and long-form journalism across every BBC News platform to deliver audience growth and maximise impact and efficiency.
• Ensure all documentaries and long-form output complies with the highest editorial standards, legal obligations, and risk management protocols, through effective oversight of editorial leads, as well as holding overall responsibility for the relationship with the independent production sector.
• Shape and influence broader News, Nations and Content strategies, ensuring long-form content aligns with the BBC’s editorial, digital, and audience growth objectives.
• Partner with senior stakeholders in the Content division, regularly attending executive-level meetings to strengthen cross-divisional collaboration.
• Drive innovation and modernisation of long-form and quick turnaround long-form journalism, increasing reach on digital platforms such as iPlayer, YouTube, and podcasts. Use audience insights and data to inform content strategy and platform prioritisation.
• Embed commercial thinking into long form teams—identifying opportunities for growth in reach, reputation, and revenue through partnerships, events, and innovative formats.
• Foster collaboration across the BBC to maximise the impact and reach of long-form journalism, including the development of new long-form brands and content.
• Accountable for the documentaries and long-form content budget, setting clear priorities to ensure commissioned content aligns with strategic and financial goals.
• Design and embed structures and processes which ensure editorial compliance, digital transformation, growth, increased cross divisional collaboration and operational efficiencies.
• Promote diversity and inclusion in all editorial and staffing decisions, ensuring content and teams reflect the audiences we serve.
• Represent the BBC at a senior level, contributing to divisional and corporate strategy and leading the delivery of high-impact projects.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
• Experienced strategic leader who can undertake a review of structure and resourcing ensuring robustness of compliance with the highest editorial standards in place.
• Strong editorial judgement and proven ability to manage significant reputational risk and high-profile content.
• A proven track record driving digital transformation, platform innovation, and audience-first content strategies for long-form journalism.
• Experience and understanding of what it takes to develop high-impact documentaries and long form journalism.
• Demonstrated success as a digital disruptor, with deep experience in commissioning and producing content tailored for emerging platforms such as streaming, podcasts, and social media.
• Possess a deep understanding of evolving audience behaviors, ensuring content strategies anticipate and meet audiences where they are heading, not where they have been.
• Bring strong expertise of the media landscape, digital trends and emerging technologies, including the opportunities of AI to aid innovation and creativity.
• Proven ability to lead large, multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-changing environment, fostering a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at the highest levels.
• Comprehensive knowledge of programme commissioning, production, and compliance in a public service context.
• Experience operating at a senior level in the public or media sector, including managing numerous and diverse senior and executive level stakeholders as well as engagement with external and governmental stakeholders.
If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.
Application instructions
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Director, News Documentaries and Long Form Journalism BBC News employer: GeoPolist
Contact Detail:
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StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, News Documentaries and Long Form Journalism BBC News
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the journalism and media industry, especially those who have experience in long-form content. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and the BBC's culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest trends in digital journalism and long-form storytelling. Familiarise yourself with successful documentaries and current affairs programmes that have made an impact, particularly those produced by the BBC, to understand their approach and audience engagement strategies.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your leadership skills by engaging in discussions about editorial compliance and digital transformation in journalism. Share your thoughts on how to innovate long-form content and improve audience reach, as this will show your strategic thinking aligns with the BBC's goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with cross-divisional collaboration and stakeholder management. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully led teams or projects that required input from various departments, showcasing your ability to foster teamwork and drive results.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, News Documentaries and Long Form Journalism BBC News
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Director, News Documentaries and Long Form Journalism position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Focus on showcasing your strategic leadership experience, particularly in long-form journalism and digital transformation. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to drive innovation and manage high-profile content effectively.
Showcase Your Vision: Articulate your forward-thinking vision for long-form journalism. Discuss how you plan to engage audiences and adapt to changing media landscapes. This is crucial for a role that requires shaping the future of storytelling at the BBC.
Emphasise Collaboration Skills: Given the importance of cross-divisional collaboration in this role, be sure to highlight your experience working with diverse teams and stakeholders. Provide examples of how you've successfully fostered collaboration in previous positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at GeoPolist
✨Understand the BBC's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the BBC's mission and values, especially regarding impartial journalism. Be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with their goals for long-form journalism and current affairs.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading teams and driving digital transformation. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed significant projects and navigated complex stakeholder relationships.
✨Demonstrate Editorial Excellence
Be ready to discuss your editorial judgement and how you've maintained high standards in previous roles. Share specific instances where you managed reputational risks or produced impactful content.
✨Emphasise Innovation and Audience Engagement
Discuss your understanding of evolving audience behaviours and how you've adapted content strategies accordingly. Bring examples of how you've leveraged new platforms and technologies to enhance storytelling.