Publicist

We have a vacancy for a job-share Publicist role within the Communications team, working on BBC Radio 5 Live and across our speech audio content on BBC Sounds.

Job Requisition ID: 37867

Job Closing Date: 8 Feb 2026

London, GBR, W1A 1AA
| Salford, MAN, GBR, M50 2QH

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: C
CONTRACT TYPE: 6-month attachment, Part-time  (2.5 days a week)
DEPARTMENT: Communications, BBC Chief Operating Group
LOCATION: London / Salford / Flexible
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: Up to £40,000 pro-rata (plus London weighting, if applicable) 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
We have a vacancy for a job-share Publicist role within the Communications team, working on BBC Radio 5 Live and across our speech audio content on BBC Sounds. This is a fantastic opportunity for a creative and enthusiastic publicist with a passion for live radio, podcasts and impactful storytelling.

BBC Radio 5 Live is the home of live news, sport and topical programming, bringing audiences the biggest stories, sharpest analysis and most compelling conversations every day. From major global news and sporting events, to some of the UK’s most popular podcasts, 5 Live delivers agendasetting journalism and live broadcasting that reaches millions of listeners across the UK.

The role also sits within the Radio 4, 5 Live and BBC Sounds team, offering an exciting opportunity to work across a huge range of BBC audio programmes and events.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM
In this role, you’ll be leading on publicity for priority BBC Radio 5 Live content, presenters and editorial moments, as well as championing podcasts from a wide range of genres from the hit Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknell Podcast, to the award winning narrative series Gangster.

You will work closely with programme teams, senior editors, commissioning colleagues across audio, and presenters to help shape and deliver standout campaigns that drive listening, spark conversation, and elevate the 5 Live brand.

There will also be the opportunity to work across the BBC award winning speech audio offer. Recent highlights include The Traitors: Uncloaked, What’s Up Docs, Miss Me? with Lily and Miquita, Uncanny, Central Intelligence with Kim Catrall, The Coming Storm, Ready To Talk with Emma Barnett, To Catch A Scorpion, Sidetracked with Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw, Pop Top Ten with Scott Mills and Rylan, The Gift and Stalked, as well as popular strands such as The History Podcast and Sports Strangest Crimes.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

Lead creative publicity campaigns across print, online, broadcast and digital platforms to promote priority programmes, presenter and editorial moments on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.
Work closely with senior stakeholders, editors, programme makers, commissioners and talent to develop and deliver publicity strategy.
Secure strong media coverage by proactively identifying story opportunities and developing compelling narratives that cut through.
Plan and deliver press announcements, media plans, interviews, press events and promotional activity.
Build relationships with journalists across news, sport, entertainment and digital outlets.
Monitor, manage and advise on reputational issues, providing timely communications guidance to senior colleagues.
Support broader speechaudio publicity projects when required.
Take part in an out of hours oncall rota with colleagues.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

A passion for radio, live news, and audio storytelling with strong ideas for how to spotlight brilliant 5 Live content.
A proven track record of delivering creative, effective publicity campaigns that secure online, print and broadcast coverage.
Experience finding innovative ways to reach audiences including maximising digital and social media opportunities, and engaging listeners new to BBC content, including younger audiences.
Ability to create content for online and social media channels that supports campaign objectives.
Strong understanding of the news agenda and cycles, with the ability to spot potential stories quickly and shape them for media interest.
Experience identifying and managing reputational issues, offering clear communications advice, and using a range of tools to protect and enhance organisational reputation.

If you demonstrate many of these skills 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.