Content Editor, The Archers – BBC (London)

We’re happy to discuss flexible working. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

• Excellent career progression – the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.
• Unrivalled training and development opportunities – our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.
• Benefits – We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (1 of which is a corporation day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.

Freelancers are eligible to apply for an internal role if they are on a Worker Contract and they have worked continuously for 6 months. If they have worked for less than 6 months continuously or have a break of 3 weeks or more between engagements, they must seek Divisional HR approval to apply for an internal role prior to submitting an application.

If they are unsure which contract they are on, they can speak to their booker or the HR BP, however if it helps – both a PAYE freelance or Modus Gross contract is considered a Worker contract and covered by the Worker terms found here.

The Archers is the world’s longest running continuing drama and today broadcasts six episodes per week 52 weeks a year.  Every week millions of listeners tune in to listen live on Radio 4, and many more stream and download the programme on BBC Sounds. The Archers topped the list for most popular speech programme at Christmas.  Stories in The Archers make the headlines and listeners are loyal and passionate. We are now recruiting for a permanent Content Editor (Band E) for The Archers role to work with the Executive Editor Jeremy Howe who is part time.  The Content Editor will help lead, manage and support the work of the Birmingham based daily production team.  You will play an important role in the newly created department BBC Audio Topical, working alongside the editors of Woman’s Hour, World Service Factual, Outlook, Private Passions, Start the Week, The Media Show, Front Row and Free Thinking.  Can you help us steer The Archers into the future?

The Content Editor on The Archers will work closely with the Executive Editor to provide leadership across the whole team, helping both to shape the long-term storylines and manage the year-round busy production schedule. The Executive Editor sets the editorial vision and strategy for The Archers in consultation with the Commissioner and Controller at Radio 4 and oversees the story lining, the script meeting and long-term story development. The Content Editor will work closely with the Executive Editor on story development, strategy and vision and will deputise at team and script meetings as required.

The Content Editor will have responsibility for the day to day running of the programme and for the supervision of the script and synopsis edit. They will look after The Archers in the studio and will be required to studio direct. The Content Editor will be in charge of making sure that the recording cycle of The Archers runs smoothly and to schedule and will be the go-to person to solve problems and issues arising from recording. They will make sure that the workload and wellbeing of staff at all levels is managed appropriately. The Content Editor will lead on the rota, manage hybrid working,  line manage the Assistant Producers and work closely with production management colleagues to ensure that the programme operates within agreed budgets.  The right person will create a supportive work environment and inspire the whole team through clear direction and empathetic leadership and foster a culture where everyone feels valued.

• Are you able to be at one and the same time the guardian of one of the BBC’s most precious programmes and simultaneously make it relevant and entertaining for a new audience?
• Do you possess the firmness, the tact and the diplomacy to solve the multitude of issues a continuing drama throws up on an almost daily basis, often at speed and with conflicting priorities?
• Are you able to combine creative flair with rigorous organisational skills, and are you able to balance making sure the programme is strong editorially with delivering consistently to deadlines and reacting positively to change?
• Do you have experience managing and motivating teams, and ensuring staff members receive regular feedback?
• Are you interested in developing content which will appeal to a diverse audience?
• Can you demonstrate understanding of the importance of the BBC’s values in accuracy and impartiality?
• Do you have a proactive approach to Health and Safety?
• Do you have experience of integrating sustainable working practices into productions?
• Do you have strong experience of developing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external partners?