Assistant Editor, BBC News YouTube

BBC Group and Public Services; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

BBC Group and Public Services in London is seeking an Assistant Editor to shape BBC News's YouTube strategy, lead a talented team, and develop platform-native formats across the UK and internationally.

You will use audience insights to drive growth, collaborate with journalists and production teams, and help transform reporting into engaging YouTube content while staying flexible on hybrid working.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing and growing a YouTube channel with audience insights.
• Experience using data to shape editorial and creative decisions.
• Experience leading and developing editorial teams in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a small, high-performing team, creating an environment where people can do their best work and deliver real impact.
• Shape and deliver BBC News' YouTube strategy, using audience insight and platform expertise to drive growth and engagement.
• Work with journalists, creators and production teams across BBC News to identify opportunities and turn great journalism into successful YouTube content.
• Champion the value of YouTube across BBC News, helping colleagues maximise the reach and impact of their reporting on the platform.
• Oversee the development and delivery of platform-native formats that strengthen BBC News' relationship with existing and new audiences.
• Use performance data and audience insights to evaluate content, identify opportunities and inform editorial and creative decision-making.
• Foster innovation and experimentation, helping BBC News adapt to changing audience behaviours and platform trends.

Skills

YouTube channel management

Audience analytics

Content strategy

Editorial leadership

Collaboration with journalists

Job description

Job Closing Date: 20th of September 2026

Birmingham, GBR, B1 1AY
| Cardiff, GBR, CF10 1FT
| Glasgow, GBR, G511DA
| London, GBR, W1A 1AA
| Salford, MAN, GBR, M50 2QH

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: E

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent

DEPARTMENT: BBC News Social

LOCATION: London, Salford, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow - Office based with some hybrid working

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £55,000 - £65,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

JOB PURPOSE

Help shape the future of BBC News on YouTube.

As BBC News accelerates its growth on YouTube, you'll play a central role in defining how our journalism reaches and engages audiences on one of the world's most influential platforms. Working with teams across the UK and internationally, you'll help transform world-class reporting into platform-native content, develop innovative formats and use audience insight to inform strategy. This is a hands-on opportunity to drive growth, influence digital transformation and leave a lasting impact on how millions experience BBC News.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

Join one of the fastest-growing and most ambitious areas of BBC News. Following the launch of the BBC's strategic partnership with YouTube, teams across the UK and around the world are redefining how trusted journalism reaches audiences on the platform. As an Assistant Editor, you'll help shape YouTube strategy, lead a talented team, develop new formats and work on some of the world's biggest stories. BBC News is on a mission to be the number one brand on social for news, and you will play a pivotal role in this work. This is a rare opportunity to combine editorial leadership, audience insight and innovation to help build the future of BBC News.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & IMPACT

• Lead and develop a small, high-performing team, creating an environment where people can do their best work and deliver real impact.


• Shape and deliver BBC News' YouTube strategy, using audience insight and platform expertise to drive growth and engagement.


• Work with journalists, creators and production teams across BBC News to identify opportunities and turn great journalism into successful YouTube content.


• Champion the value of YouTube across BBC News, helping colleagues maximise the reach and impact of their reporting on the platform.


• Oversee the development and delivery of platform-native formats that strengthen BBC News' relationship with existing and new audiences.


• Use performance data and audience insights to evaluate content, identify opportunities and inform editorial and creative decision-making.


• Foster innovation and experimentation, helping BBC News adapt to changing audience behaviours and platform trends.

YOUR SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience managing and growing a YouTube channel, with a strong understanding of audience behaviours, platform trends, content strategy and best practice.


• Demonstrable experience using audience data, analytics and performance insights to shape editorial and creative decisions and drive audience growth.


• Strong track record of working with content creators, journalists and production teams to develop ideas and optimise content for success on YouTube.


• Experience overseeing end-to-end content production, including commissioning, scripting, editing, publishing and evaluating performance.


• Experience leading and developing teams, setting priorities and delivering results in a fast-paced editorial environment.

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Experience developing innovative, platform-native video formats and editorial products.


• Experience presenting performance insights, strategic recommendations and growth opportunities to senior stakeholders.


• Understanding of the creator ecosystem and emerging trends across YouTube and wider social platforms.


• Experience influencing teams and building relationships across a large, complex organisation.


• Experience developing content for international audiences and global digital platforms.

Disclaimer

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.

Redeployment

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.

Information at a Glance

This is your BBC

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.

Find out more about the BBC

Life at BBC

Here you will benefit from:

• Fair pay and flexible benefits including a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pensionscheme and discounted dental, health care and gym.


• Excellent career and professional development.


• Support in your working life, including flexible working which you can discuss with us at any point during the application, selection or offer.


• A values-based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.

Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis or on an orchestra conditions contract.

Learn more about life at the BBC and our values in our candidate pack.

Candidate pack

You belong

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.

Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy below.

Diversity, inclusion & belonging strategy

Disability confident

We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we’d be happy to discuss: [e-mail]

BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: 01420028, registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.