Senior Journalist

BBC Group and Public Services; Salford; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media organization is seeking a Senior Journalist to lead editorial content across BBC World Service and 5Live sports news. This role requires strong editorial judgement and extensive live broadcast experience. You will manage live output, shape compelling audio storytelling, and support a talented team. A passion for sports and the ability to generate creative content are essential. Enjoy a hybrid work setting with competitive salary and flexible benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days annual leave

Defined pension scheme

Health care and gym discounts

Qualifications

• Proven strong editorial judgement and ability to lead through delegation.
• Extensive experience producing content for live broadcasts.
• Demonstrable knowledge in various sports and ability to write for radio.

Responsibilities

• Lead editorial content in the Stories Audio team.
• Deliver complex live sports shows under tight deadlines.
• Plan and produce outside broadcasts at major events.

Skills

Strong editorial judgement

Live broadcast experience

Knowledge of varied sports

Creativity in storytelling

Communication and organizational skills

Job description

JOB BAND: D
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time
DEPARTMENT: BBC Sport
LOCATION: Salford – Hybrid
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £44,000 - £50,000 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.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

As Senior Journalist, you’ll lead editorial content in the Stories Audio team across BBC World Service and 5Live sports news, including Sportsworld, Sport Today, Stumped, Not by the Playbook, our podcast brands and major global events like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euros. You’ll shape distinctive audio storytelling, manage live and recorded output and support a talented team. This role combines editorial leadership and collaboration to create compelling sports content for a diverse, global audience.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

You’ll join a creative, collaborative team passionate about delivering world‑class sports journalism. Working closely with producers and on‑air presenters, you’ll help shape innovative content across programmes and podcasts. With opportunities on major projects and, potentially, outside broadcasts, you’ll play a key role in growing our global reach. This is a supportive environment where your leadership will directly impact team members and the quality of our storytelling.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Make tactical editorial decisions, develop programme ideas and foster an inclusive environment. Responsibilities include scripting, editing and complying with content for programmes, podcasts and social media, as well as supporting staff and encouraging creativity.
• Work across World Service programmes such as Stumped, Sportsworld and Sport Today, delivering complex live shows under tight deadlines and providing strong editorial leadership to ensure BBC standards are met.
• Plan and produce outside broadcasts at major events, manage resources and budgets, and build strong relationships across BBC teams to maximise reach. Provide briefing on‑air talent, give constructive feedback and promote diversity in both workforce and output.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Proven strong editorial judgement and ability to lead a team through delegation and performance under pressure.
• Extensive live broadcast experience producing content with varied presenters, managing expectations and ensuring high‑quality live output.
• Demonstrable knowledge of a wide range of sports and a proven ability to write for radio audiences, generate creative storytelling ideas and passion for World Service and 5Live output.
• Positive mindset with enthusiasm, ideas and creativity, good communication and organisational skills, and eagerness to expand our digital presence across Stories and other BBC Sport outlets.
• Commitment to improving diversity in the BBC and understanding how individual differences enhance the workplace and output.

DESIRABLE

• Curiosity to continue learning, particularly about our audiences, programme platforms and the sports we cover.
• Experience creating digital content such as podcasts, digital video or social media.

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.

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 are offered this role, the BBC will conduct employment screening checks, including reference checks, eligibility to work checks and, if applicable, safeguarding and adverse media/social media checks. Any offer is conditional on satisfactory checks.

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and will give priority consideration to those at risk of redundancy.

Life at the 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 pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym.
• Excellent career and professional development.
• Support in your working life, including flexible working options that can be discussed at any point in the application, selection or offer stage.
• A values‑based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.

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. The more diverse our workforce, the better we can reflect our audiences.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and belief.

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 at [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.