Executive Editor, Radio Newsroom – London (BBC)
Through its audience reach and framing of the editorial agenda, the network audio newsroom is central to the success of BBC News. Our listeners span domestic and World Services, tuning in through Radio, Sounds, and Online, listening live, catching up on the day’s events or via their favourite podcast.
A showcase for BBC journalism, the team is responsible for c. 17 hours of output per day, providing bulletins, summaries, programmes and podcasts for Radio 2, 3, 4, 6Music, World Service (English), Sounds and the Nations & Regions. In addition, it provides newspaper reviews for R4 and is responsible for the overnight service on 5live.
It is the 24/7 spine of the news coverage on the platforms it serves, with its journalism being consumed by tens of millions of people every day. Its content is subject to the highest scrutiny, with audiences relying on it for accurate, impartial and well-judged coverage of the UK and the world.
Reporting to the Director of News Programmes, the Executive Editor for Radio News will lead the network radio newsroom with full editorial responsibility for all of its audio output. We are looking for someone who can set the editorial agenda, who will lead, motivate, challenge and develop our brilliant teams of journalists and support staff to spot and explain the stories, issues, and trends that matter to our audiences.
Leading a team of c.130 people, you will ensure the delivery of original, authoritative, high impact journalism. As part of the Senior Leadership team in news you will be key to the success of the wider News strategy, helping to embrace and shape new approaches to modernise radio news output.
You will have a deep understanding of our audiences and how to engage them. A broad range of knowledge is essential on subjects ranging from politics, international affairs, social policy, business, sport, technology, science, and the arts. Having an acute editorial judgement and the ability to make the right decision quickly is also important.
You will be a great collaborator, working closely with the radio networks, colleagues from Sounds and other digital platforms as well as the rest of News, and be equipped with the skills needed to manage a multi-million-pound budget. You will possess the robustness, openness and finesse to deal with external pressures and complaints and be able to justify output to listeners via feedback forums.
Further requirements
- Extensive knowledge and practical experience of weekly and/or daily journalism
- A high level of editorial awareness and judgement in line with BBC policy
- Understanding and experience of leading large and complex teams. Ability to recruit, motivate and develop editorial staff to make innovative and imaginative output
- Ability to make major decisions with authority and under pressure and to identify, prioritise and interpret the key stories of the day
- Ability to manage resources, staff, technical facilities and budgets, to make challenging programmes in the most cost-effective manner
- Experience of successfully leading change
- A deep understanding of the changing audio news market and the ideas and foresight to innovate and evolve to stay ahead of the competition
- Ability to inspire imaginative and innovative production creativity
- Ability to build relationships/rapport with a variety of key people e.g. presenters, guests and contributors
- A good appreciation of studio production techniques
- Knowledge of Industrial relations
