Staff Writer, BBC Studios Audio
Package Description Band:B Contract:12 month FTC (6 months initially) Location: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 the 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 holiday with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more. (UK centric) Job Introduction We make over 150 award winning hours of radio and audio content a year including The News Quiz, Dead Ringers, Newsjack, The Now Show, Just a Minute, Ankle Tag, Sindhustan, Mark Steel’s In Town, Darren Harriott: Black Label, Sarah Kendall: Australian Trilogy, Phil Ellis is Trying, Twayna Mayne: Black Woman, Alexei Sayle’s Imaginary Sandwich Bar, Daliso Chaponda's Citizen of Nowhere, and many more. We also make podcasts for BBC Sounds and Spotify including Sorted with the Dyers, Rose and Rosie: Parental Guidance, Jacob Hawley: On Drugs, Inside Inside No. 9, But…Where Are You Really From, Eddie Hearn: No Passion, No Point and The Sink. Main Responsibilities Aim of the Job The staff writers work closely with producers and contribute to scripts across the output of the department as needed. They write funny content for all types of show, from links for the hosts of panel shows like The Museum of Curiosity, and The News Quiz to sketches for topical shows like The Now Show, Dead Ringers and Newsjack. They help producers to develop ideas for new formats, help with story structure in sitcoms and punch up scripts with extra jokes. The staff writer jobs are part of the way we find and encourage exciting new comic writers with the ambition to create their own series. They will work on their own narrative and sketch ideas during the year, and by the end of the year with support from producers in the team, we hope to be pitching their ideas to commissioners. If you love comedy and are brimming with ideas you want to get made, this is your dream job! Key Responsibilities To write for any show as required; we produce a wide of variety of formats and styles. You’ll be a versatile writer who can create one-liners, host links, sketches, narrative and more. To contribute as required to long-running topical series, working to tight deadlines. To script edit sketch and narrative comedy shows To write to a brief set by a producer or another writer To contribute to idea generating sessions To work in a team and also independently. To develop scripted and non-scripted podcast ideas for development. To write on behalf of the BBC Studios Audio social media accounts To write trails and promotional material. To be fully aware of the Health and Safety responsibilities of this job role as stated in the department’s Health and Safety Policy and always act responsibly when working on productions. To comply with the BBC’s policies on Diversity and Inclusion. Are you the right candidate? Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience Good knowledge of comedy and passion for both the comedy world and writing comedy. At least two credits that are not just one-liners. These could reflect any work you have had produced including podcast, short film, online or on-stage as well as radio and TV credits. Ability to work with our performers and writers, creating material that showcases them at their best. Able to write to a brief set by others. Self-starter who is able to instigate projects and take an active role in their development. Good communication skills with the ability to express all issues and ideas clearly and concisely. Ability to work to a deadline. Ability to treat colleagues with respect and inclusivity and support and encourage others. Competencies Writing skills This is an entry level job for someone at the start of a promising career in writing comedy. You must display a passion for making comedy your career. Imagination and creative thinking Demonstrate original, imaginative ideas that are well written and funny. Self-Starter Able to originate and develop their original ideas, working to notes and briefs from commissioners. Planning and organising Demonstrates an ability to think ahead in order to plan and prioritise work and ensure meetings are attended on time and agreed deadlines met. Strong communication skills Always able to maintain good communication, taking the initiative to make the most of opportunities. Managing relationships Demonstrates ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Able to listen to and process feedback with maturity. Writing for others. Ability to adapt to writing in other people's voices and enjoying that process. About the BBC The BBC is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from under represented groups. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of their background. We strive to be the best British content company in the world, attracting the best creative talents in the business, so that we can bring premium quality award-winning programmes, content and brands to the viewer no matter where they are. The BBC Group has set out the first in a new series of bold steps to transform our programming and better represent the public we serve. We have the biggest financial investment to on-air inclusion in the industry, together with our existing commissioning budget, we are committed to throwing open our doors more widely than ever to diverse stories and diverse storytellers. Together with a diverse workforce we will accelerate the pace of change in increasing diversity and inclusion both on and off air. Apply for this job https://careershub.bbc.co.uk/members/?j=51241
Category
Script Request