Freelance Deputy Content Editor, Good Morning Britain

Freelance Deputy Content Editor, Good Morning Britain

Freelance 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
I

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape engaging stories for Good Morning Britain and lead a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment.
  • Company: Join the vibrant team at Good Morning Britain, a leading morning news programme.
  • Benefits: Flexible working options, diverse workplace, and opportunities for creative expression.
  • Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive culture while enjoying a balanced work-life.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on morning news and connect with a wide audience.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in live TV production, strong writing skills, and excellent news judgement.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Freelance Deputy Content Editor to play a central role at Good Morning Britain, helping shape the stories that viewers wake up to. You’ll be at the heart of a programme that sets the agenda every morning delivering dynamic, punchy and engaging content that reflects the mix of hard news, politics, and human interest stories that our audience cares about most.

We’re looking for confident experienced decisive journalists who can lead from the front in a fast paced breaking news environment. You’ll be comfortable making quick editorial calls, managing teams of journalists, and working at speed while keeping a clear focus on what will cut through with a breakfast audience. We go on air at 6am every weekday and we want people who are fully committed to working unsociable hours.

Alongside Content Editors, you’ll drive the morning’s news agenda scanning the papers, wires, broadcasters and digital platforms to identify the stories everyone will be talking about. You’ll shape those stories into compelling, accessible television, whether it’s a major political interview, breaking news, or a powerful human interest story. GMB is pacey and we're looking for people who are ready to react instantly to developments as they unfold on air. We're looking for storytellers with a deep understanding of the GMB audience and an ability to lead producers to make agenda setting eye catching TV.

You will have at least 3-years experience working as a producer in live TV. This role demands sharp news judgement, strong writing skills, and the ability to bring energy, clarity and personality to every script. You’ll help oversee key parts of the programme output, edit video, and ensure each item is produced to the highest editorial standards always with the GMB audience front of mind. This is a freelance role and requires flexibility, including regular Sunday working, early starts and overnights in line with a live breakfast broadcast.

Key Responsibilities
  • Identify and develop stories for Good Morning Britain, including scanning the morning papers, news wires and online sources to spot stories that will resonate with the programme’s audience.
  • Come up with ideas for treatments and discussion topics on the show.
  • Support Content Editors in making key editorial decisions to deliver the right mix of breaking news, agenda-setting stories and lighter content across the programme.
  • Write scripts for the programme including headlines, lead-ins, trails, underlays and other broadcast copy, working closely with graphics teams to ensure strong visual storytelling.
  • Take editorial responsibility for sections of the programme, shaping content from idea to transmission.
  • Help lead a team of producers, delegating tasks and overseeing their work to ensure stories are delivered to time and to the highest editorial standards.
  • Exercise strong editorial judgement when producing stories, including decisions on news values, legal considerations, taste and decency.
  • Edit video to a high broadcast standard, ensuring stories are visually engaging and editorially sharp.
  • Occasionally step up to the role of Content Editor when required.
  • Work at pace in a dynamic national and international newsroom.
  • Ensure the programme reflects the diversity of our audience and the wider UK.
Key Requirements
  • A creative and dynamic newsroom leader with strong organisational skills.
  • A calm, decisive operator able to thrive in a fast-moving live news environment.
  • Excellent news judgement and a strong understanding of the Good Morning Britain editorial agenda.
  • A strong writer with experience producing scripts for broadcast bulletins or live programmes.
  • Proven ability to spot strong stories quickly and develop them for television.
  • Meticulous attention to detail when checking content for accuracy, compliance and style.
  • A strong visual sense, with the ability to identify the best use of pictures and graphics to tell a story.
  • Experience of video editing to broadcast standard.
  • Experience working in or outputting from a gallery environment.
  • Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage teams.
  • Excellent understanding of the value of diverse contributors and perspectives in news coverage.
  • Good knowledge of Ofcom regulations and the ITN compliance manual.
  • Awareness of Health and Safety requirements.
  • Understanding of the financial implications of editorial and operational decisions.
  • Commitment to cross-company collaboration across ITN and ITV.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do at ITN. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. Reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process will be offered, if required, due to a disability or health condition. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please just let us know in your application, or at any stage throughout the process, if this is something you want to explore.

Freelance Deputy Content Editor, Good Morning Britain employer: ITN

At Good Morning Britain, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and inclusive workplace where creativity thrives. As a Freelance Deputy Content Editor, you'll be part of a fast-paced environment that values your editorial judgement and storytelling skills, while offering opportunities for professional growth and collaboration across diverse teams. With a commitment to work-life balance and flexible working arrangements, we ensure that our employees can excel both personally and professionally in the heart of the UK's vibrant media landscape.

I

Contact Details:

ITN Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Freelance Deputy Content Editor, Good Morning Britain

Tip Number 1

Get to know the Good Morning Britain vibe! Watch past episodes, understand their style, and identify what stories resonate with their audience. This will help you tailor your approach when you get that chance to shine.

Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current and former GMB staff on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on what they’re really looking for in a Deputy Content Editor.

Tip Number 3

Be ready to showcase your skills! Prepare a portfolio of your best scripts and video edits. When you land that interview, having tangible examples of your work will set you apart from the crowd.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the GMB team and ready to dive into the fast-paced world of live TV.

We think you need these skills to ace Freelance Deputy Content Editor, Good Morning Britain

Editorial Judgement
Script Writing
Video Editing
Newsroom Leadership
Organisational Skills
Communication Skills
Team Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for News:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for current affairs shine through. We want to see that you’re not just a journalist, but someone who lives and breathes news, especially the kind that resonates with our breakfast audience.

Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in live TV production. We’re looking for those quick editorial decisions and strong writing skills, so don’t hold back on showcasing your best work that aligns with what we do at Good Morning Britain.

Be Clear and Concise:In the fast-paced world of broadcasting, clarity is key. Keep your application straightforward and to the point, demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively—just like you would in a script for GMB.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to be part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at ITN

Know Your Audience

Before the interview, take some time to understand Good Morning Britain's audience. Familiarise yourself with the types of stories they resonate with and think about how you can contribute to that mix. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of their editorial agenda during the interview.

Showcase Your Quick Thinking

In a fast-paced environment like GMB, being able to make quick editorial decisions is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experience where you had to think on your feet and make decisive calls under pressure. This will show them you're ready for the dynamic nature of the role.

Bring Your Best Ideas

Come to the interview armed with story ideas or treatments that could work for GMB. This not only shows your creativity but also your proactive approach to content creation. Be ready to discuss how these ideas would engage the audience and fit into the morning news agenda.

Demonstrate Strong Writing Skills

Since writing scripts is a key part of the role, be prepared to showcase your writing abilities. Bring samples of your previous work or be ready to discuss how you would approach writing for a live broadcast. Highlight your attention to detail and ability to craft compelling narratives.