Journalist, Long Form Audio

BBC Studios Ltd; Salford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media organization in Salford is looking for talented journalists to produce high-quality radio programs and podcasts. Applicants should possess strong storytelling and production skills, alongside experience in digital audio software. This role offers a contract of 12 months, with a competitive salary range and opportunities for professional development within a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working hours

25 days annual leave plus options

Defined pension scheme

Discounted healthcare and gym

Qualifications

• Strong background in global news and current affairs required.
• Experience in crafting creative stories essential.
• Familiarity with digital content production preferred.

Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality radio programs and podcasts.
• Research and engage relevant guests for content.
• Collaborate with social media producers for impact.

Skills

Creative storytelling

Attention to detail

Digital audio software proficiency

Audience understanding

Tools

Highlander/VCS

Job description

JOB BAND: C
CONTRACT TYPE: x2 Fixed term contracts/Attachments (12 months)
DEPARTMENT: BBC News and Current Affairs, Long Form Commissioning
LOCATION: Salford, Media City
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: Up to £27,600 - £46,500 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

Please note this role is based at our Salford Media City offices, and you will be required to work from the office.

Interview will take place in Salford on 8th or 9th January 2026.

JRN25

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Are you passionate about telling amazing stories? Brimming with creative ideas for great audio? Driven to make global impact with your work? Salford’s award‑winning Long Form Audio department is looking for two talented journalists to join the team at the beginning of 2026. Home to BBC World Service, Radio 4 and BBC Sounds favourite Witness History, as well as The Inquiry the BBC World Service programme that goes beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world. Innovative digital‑first podcasts including Gangster and Fame Under Fire are also made by us along with reactive documentaries and a host of current affairs programmes for the BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4 including Café Hope and The Law Show.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM?

Working in Long Form Audio is fast paced and fun. We’ll be pitching history stories for a global audience one day, making a documentary about an emerging domestic story for Radio 4 the next. We need skilled producers and creative thinkers who want to reflect stories from right around the UK and across the world too. We’re always looking for the next big thing. Is that you?

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• You’ll produce radio programmes and podcasts to a high quality, with emphasis on sound and editorial focus.
• You’ll be a skilled journalist with very strong attention to detail.
• You’ll have strong writing and production skills, and be able to apply these skills to longer form content.
• You’ll understand how to tell a story creatively, with the audience central to your thinking.
• You’ll know how to research and find relevant and engaging guests.
• You’ll work with social media producers to produce digital content and create impact.
• You’ll understand editorial and legal issues, and have a clear understanding of the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• A strong background and interest in global news and current affairs.
• Experience of telling stories creatively.
• Experience of using digital audio software, including Highlander/VCS.
• An ability to demonstrate you understand audiences and reflect diversity in your work as a journalist.
• A understanding of how to achieve maximum impact for the programmes you work on.

DESIRABLE:

• It is preferable that you will have digital content production skills and experience.
• You will be able to demonstrate insights into the podcast and audio market.

If you can bring some of these skills and experiences, 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.

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.

Information at a Glance

This is your BBC

At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world’s best loved content, and the BBC’s mission to inform, educate and entertain.

Find out more about the BBC

Life at BBC

Here you will benefit from:
• Fair pay and flexible benefits including a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym.
• Excellent career and professional development.
• Support in your working life, including flexible working which you can discuss with us at any point during the application, selection or offer.
• A values-based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.

Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis or on an orchestra conditions contract.

Learn more about life at the BBC and our values in our candidate pack.

You belong

We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy below.

Disability confident

We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we’d be happy to discuss: [e-mail]