Production Journalist

Please note: This is to assist candidates in assessing their suitability for the role. The range does not represent a longer term salary commitment for the role.

Overview

We are looking for an experienced and multi-skilled Production Journalist to join our broadcast and digital news team at ITV News Meridian. The successful candidate will be a self-motivated journalist who loves the production and teamworking involved in news. You will have a current contacts list with links to different communities, the ability to bring in ideas, and a clear understanding of how to get them to air. ITV Meridian is a richly diverse region and we want to ensure our coverage is representative of the people and backgrounds of all those who live here. The role is based in our Whiteley newsroom, and you will work on television and digital news production, from producing early, late and weekend bulletins and planning stories, to creating online content that enhances our reputation and engages our digital audience. You will have outstanding written and verbal communications skills, the ability to demonstrate good working relationships with colleagues and external contacts, excellent editorial judgement and social media skills. You will be qualified in Media Law and have a thorough understanding of the Ofcom Code.

Responsibilities

• To produce high quality and compliant bulletins across all output (breakfast, lunch, late and weekends), operating effectively in a live gallery, making decisions under pressure where necessary and giving clear instructions to the presenter over timings and scripting amendments during broadcast
• To write stories and scripts that are accurate, compliant, and engaging
• To be proficient at editing pictures using the editing software provided
• To create accurate graphics for bulletins, programmes and packages which clearly illustrate stories and communicate ideas using the template based graphic system
• To curate ITV\’s Digital offering on the website or ITVX as required
• To assist the news desk or planning team with research, planning and newsgathering
• To generate original and creative ideas, contributing to the news agenda of the day, on-screen and online
• To research story ideas thoroughly and creatively for on-air and online output
• To make, maintain and nurture a wide range of relevant contacts
• To meet all online and on-air deadlines throughout the day, reacting quickly to breaking stories, and regularly liaising with the news desk
• To exercise excellent editorial judgement, maintaining professional journalistic standards and adhering to ITV\’s Legal & Compliance, ITV Trust and OFCOM guidelines
• To be proactive about diversity, equity and inclusion ensuring the output reflects new stories and issues across the audience spectrum
• To be able to perform all the roles consistently regardless of weekend, early or late working. The rostered hours for this role will include weekend working, late shifts as well as early morning shifts and Bank Holidays. The working pattern will incorporate late shifts (typically 23:00 finish) as well as early morning (typically 04:30 start). You are expected to provide your own means of transportation to and from your main workplace.
• Because of the nature of news production, there will be occasions when you are required to work long and unsociable hours at short notice. Some members of the Production Team may be required to travel to district offices or to work in other news operations as well as attending relevant forums, development sessions and meetings off site as part of their role
• We are looking for a candidate who will help ensure our coverage is as representative of the people and backgrounds of our region as possible

Qualifications

• Fully qualified NCTJ, BJTC or equivalent experience
• Working knowledge of Ofcom code, media law and compliance
• Evidence of researching and developing original ideas
• Evidence of taking a creative approach to storytelling, treatments and production for both on-air and online
• Knowledge and understanding of digital platforms and how to tap into new audiences online
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to plan multiple stories while prioritising tasks
• Strong writing skills for TV and digital (accurate spelling and grammar essential)
• Excellent news judgement with a comprehensive knowledge of and interest in national and regional news
• A strong knowledge of the patch, its cultural heritage and an awareness of the types of stories that engage our audiences
• A proven track record of producing excellent content to deadline and under pressure

Other requirements

• Confident and clear communication skills, with the ability to source contributors and put them at their ease to get the best story possible
• The ability to work well in a team environment
• The ability to use initiative, be self-motivated and quick-thinking
• The ability to remain calm and resilient in what is often a busy work environment
• The willingness and aptitude to learn other skills and to be happy to share skills with others for the benefit of the whole team
• The ability to work to deadlines
• The ability to make strong and decisive decisions under pressure
• The ability to bring in stories from underrepresented people from across our region as well as underrepresented parts of the patch
• A positive attitude to work
• A resilience and ability to thrive working in a constantly changing news agenda
• Excellent attention to detail
• Social Media/Digital awareness
• An enthusiasm and willingness to embrace further changes in technology and workflow
• The aptitude to use the full range of digital newsroom technology
• Clear understanding of and commitment to DE&I and Health & Safety policies

Benefits

• Flexible working with a range of options
• Generous holiday allowance, plus you can buy more
• Annual bonus opportunity
• Competitive pension contribution
• Save as you earn – with an opportunity to buy ITV shares
• Wellbeing and volunteering days plus a wide range of opportunities to help you live a balanced and healthy life

Our ITV News teams deliver high quality, trustworthy and impartial journalism to millions of people on television and online. It\’s a fast moving environment with a huge variety of roles on offer and plenty of challenges. We operate from 11 main news production centres across England, Northern Ireland, Wales and the Channel Islands. We also have a Political Unit based in the heart of Westminster and produce a range of current affairs & factual programming at ITV Wales, UTV and ITV Border.