Senior Camera Operator

BBC; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

BBC Wales is seeking a skilled camera operator to join the camera team, operating cameras primarily on location with the news gathering unit and occasionally in studios or on OBs. You will translate the visual needs of Producers and Directors into compelling pictures while adapting quickly to fast-moving news environments.

The role involves evenings and weekends as part of a busy broadcast schedule, with a hybrid Cardiff working pattern and opportunities to work across multi-camera setups while

Qualifications

• Experience working across a range of programme types and production environments.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively under pressure.
• A willingness to expand your skills and explore new opportunities in filmmaking.
• Stills photography
• Edit knowledge for editing packages

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance, training and day-to-day support to junior staff, contributing to their development and performance.
• Operate single-camera shoots independently, delivering visually strong sequences with a moderate level of artistic and technical complexity, including lighting setups.
• Capture high-quality stills photography on location.
• Work at the highest level of craft complexity across a variety of productions, delivering outstanding visual content to BBC audiences.

Skills

Experience across programme types

Strong communication skills

Willingness to expand skills

Stills photography

Edit knowledge for editing packages

Job description

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: C

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed-term Contract, Full-time until 26 March 2027

DEPARTMENT: BBC Nations, Wales Operations – Camera Team

LOCATION: Cardiff – Hybrid

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £35,500 - £45,000 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.

Due to the nature of broadcast production, flexibility is essential. The successful candidate will be expected to work evenings, weekends, extended production days and, at times, at short notice, in line with BBC Variable Exception Terms and Conditions.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Be a key part of the BBC Wales camera team, operating cameras primarily on location with the newsgathering team, but at times in the studio or on other outside broadcasts. You will demonstrate a high level of technical skill, creativity and efficiency, translating the visual needs of Producers and Directors into compelling pictures while adapting quickly to fast-moving news environments. At times, you will support multi-camera setups, working collaboratively with colleagues to deliver high-quality, visually distinctive content.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

This is an exciting opportunity to join a busy and highly skilled team. You will primarily work with journalists who value creativity, trust and editorial rigour, capturing the moments that shape Wales today. The team supports your ideas, invests in your development and gives you the freedom to innovate on location. Your craft will directly influence how audiences see and understand the stories that matter.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

• Provide guidance, training and day-to-day support to junior staff, contributing to their development and performance.
• Operate single-camera shoots independently, delivering visually strong sequences with a moderate level of artistic and technical complexity, including lighting setups.
• Capture high-quality stills photography on location.
• Work at the highest level of craft complexity across a variety of productions, delivering outstanding visual content to BBC audiences.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Experience working across a range of programme types and production environments.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively under pressure.
• A willingness to expand your skills and explore new opportunities in filmmaking.
• Stills photography
• Edit knowledge for editing packages