Journalist Local Story Team : EXTEND

BBC Radio Surrey has a rare opportunity to work with our talented team of journalists based in Guildford.

Job Requisition ID: 40057

Job Closing Date: 10th March 2026

Guildford, GBR, GU2 7AP

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: E
CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed-term Contract / Attachment, Part-time (21 hours per week) until March 2027
DEPARTMENT: BBC Surrey
LOCATION: Guildford
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £27,600 – £33,900 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.

BBC EXTEND

This role is advertised as part of our BBC Extend programme for disabled people. To apply for this role you should identify as deaf, disabled or neurodivergent and must meet either the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010), or the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) if applying in Northern Ireland. You’re broadly defined as disabled under both acts if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative or adverse effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. This definition includes both apparent and non-apparent conditions and impairments, and medical conditions such as Cancer, HIV or Multiple Sclerosis.

We are committed to making the process of applying for this role as accessible as possible. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the application process, or have any questions about our Extend programme, please contact [email protected].

The BBC are fully committed to providing workplace adjustments to help eliminate barriers in the workface that disabled people face. To do this, we have our own dedicated BBC Access and Disability Service that provides assessments and support throughout employment with us. If you are successful in applying for this role and require workplace adjustments, we will work with you to get your adjustments in place.

If you’d like more information on BBC Extend, please visit the BBC Extend webpage. (EXTEND code: EX2324).

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

BBC Radio Surrey has a rare opportunity to work with our talented team of journalists based in Guildford.
We are looking for a new member of our Local Story Team, who is passionate about telling the stories that really matter to our audience, from across Surrey, North East Hampshire and North Sussex.
We have a digital first focus, but you will be looking to tell your stories not only on our online services but also on radio and potentially on television.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

BBC Surrey is a small team but big on ambition. If you’re passionate about telling stories and making them travel as far and wide as possible, this is a great opportunity. BBC Surrey is part of the wider BBC South East operation and no two days are ever the same. Surrey is more than just a county of commuters. This is your chance to connect with everyone lucky enough to call Surrey home.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

Creativity is important in this role. You will have the ability to tell stories in a creative and dynamic way that connect with our audience.
You’ll be a self-starter but also able to work as part of a team.
You will be brimming with ideas on news stories to share with your colleagues and our audience.
You’ll have the ability to recognise how we can share stories in a variety of ways on our different platforms, including digital, radio and potentially television.
You’ll really care about reaching and engaging with a truly diverse audience.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

Able to exercise editorial judgment in developing story ideas and producing accurate and impartial journalism.
Experience of delivering original stories that will shape the news agenda and working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve this.
To be able to tell stories in a creative and engaging way.
Previous experience of tailoring stories for different audiences, including radio and digital users.
A strong broadcasting voice.

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.

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.