Executive Editor : BBC Essex

As Executive Editor, you will oversee creative programming, lead a talented team and enable them to do their best work during a crucial period for the station.

Job Requisition ID: 40924

Job Closing Date: 31st March 2026

Chelmsford, GBR, CM2 9AB

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: F
CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed-term Contract, Full-time (4 months: 20th April – 21st August 2026)
DEPARTMENT: BBC Nations and Local (BBC Essex)
LOCATION: Chelmsford
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £72,000 – £85,500 per annum 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

Essex is a county of contrasts – from the Thames Estuary to rural heartlands, from Southend’s vibrant seafront to historic Colchester. BBC Essex serves these proud and diverse communities through audio content that reflects their lives. Do you have the editorial leadership skills to run the station and ensure it consistently meets audience needs across linear and digital platforms? As Executive Editor, you will oversee creative programming, lead a talented team and enable them to do their best work during a crucial period for the station.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

BBC Local is the front door to the BBC. You’ll lead a team of passionate journalists who care deeply about Essex and its communities. The station has a proud track record of bold, creative local broadcasting and you’ll have the opportunity to build on that, shaping output across audio and digital platforms. If you care about finding and developing new local talent on and off air, this is the place to be.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

You will be responsible for overseeing the BBC Essex audio team, setting a clear editorial vision for the station in line with the divisional strategy and ensuring consistent, high-quality output across the schedule.
You will oversee the radio schedule, lead presenters and the production team, and develop ideas for digital commissioning and visualisation to grow the station’s reach.
You will hold regular team briefs and one-to-one feedback sessions. You will be accountable for making sure the team is aware of its KPIs and targets and has the support needed to deliver them.
You will have a deep understanding of BBC Essex’s target audiences and good ideas for how to reach underserved groups across the county.
You will provide inspirational leadership, support career development and talent retention, and prioritise role-modelling the BBC’s values to your team and colleagues.
You will collaborate with other leaders on the regional management team, maximise the impact of the station’s best content, and contribute to cross-station initiatives.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

Editorial leadership experience in audio or broadcast journalism
A track record of leading creativity and innovation in content production
Demonstrable understanding of the audiences to BBC Local and the opportunities for growth
First-class communication and interpersonal skills
Energy, resilience and the ability to prioritise effectively

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

Evidence of changing workplace culture
Experience of managing change within a team or organisation

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 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.

For any general queries, please contact: [email protected]

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.