Junior Director, Rip Off Britain Series 16 (10119)

Junior Director, Rip Off Britain Series 16

Band: C

Contract type: Fixed-Term Contract / Attachment - (29th January to 4th October 2024)

Location: Salford, Manchester

Interviews: w/c 4th December 2023

We actively encourage applications from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments or assistance with your application via the following email address:

Rip Off Britain is the consumer-affairs powerhouse of the BBC Daytime schedule, regularly gaining 1.2m viewers and more than a 30% share of the audience. It mixes incisive consumer investigations, compelling human stories and invaluable advice; it holds to account the companies getting things wrong, leaving people out of pocket, or failing to make things easier for their customers.
Last year we refreshed and relaunched the familiar Rip Off Britain format, and it’s been a resounding hit with the audience. For series 16 we’ll be building on those changes and we’re looking for people with the skills to deliver investigative, entertaining and valuable consumer affairs stories; find engaging contributors with a story to tell, and come up with creative but appropriate ideas for VTs and for as-live presenter-led items.

•    With support, you will be responsible for the visual look and feel of apx 1x7 minute VT each week. 
•    You will have an understanding of narrative and with guidance from the Series Producer and Series Editor, learn to create entertaining and factually accurate scripts 
•    You will have understanding of how to use appropriate tools – cameras, filming techniques, archive etc to realise the editorial visions
•    You will understand the roles and accountabilities of other team members and will direct them accordingly.
•    Working with the researchers, and with support from the VT Producer and Series Producer you will develop your VTs from the initial commissioned idea; plan and write shooting scripts; film your VT and take charge of any archive, stock shots etc required.

•    With support from the VT producer you will ensure your shoot plans are within budget, properly risk assessed and are appropriate for the commissioned vision of the film. 

•   You’ll self shoot your VTs, with a Shooting Researcher on second camera. You’ll be the editorial lead on location, responsible for getting the most out of each sequence and contributor. 

•   You’ll develop a solid understanding of the contributors’ case and story, working with the VT Producer to understand the editorial policy and legal considerations for your film. 

•    After filming, you will write an edit script (again with support from producers) and brief the edit producer on your vision for the film.

•   Ensure that on-screen content reflects the diversity of British society, and that ethnic and other groups are portrayed appropriately, in line with BBC Producer Guidelines.  

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•    Substantial experience as an assistant producer or researcher, ideally with some experience of consumer TV and dealing with on-screen talent and contributors on busy location filming days

This is a development role – so you’ll be supported throughout. We don’t expect your scripts or storytelling to be the finished product, but you must have some experience of writing scripts and shooting short form VTs. 

 • You must be able to demonstrate creative visual flair and you will have some experience of directing simple sequences for television
•    Proven ability to write creative, entertaining and engaging scripts, appropriate for the target daytime audience.
• An understanding of how TV programmes are edited and ideally, some experience in the edit
•    You must be willing to work regularly in our Salford office and travel and film on location across the UK in a large but close knit team, working to strict budgets and timetables.
•    Ability to originate creative ideas and to maximise programme impact within budgetary restrictions.   
•   Strong writing skills and the ability to structure narrative and to locate and clear suitable archive to enhance the programme.
•   Knowledge of the BBC’s output, that of its competitors and the specific needs of our audience. 
•    Sound editorial judgement and knowledge of BBC editorial and legal guidelines. 
•    A good understanding of our audiences to ensure we accurately reflect all under-represented communities.                                      
•    Ensure that the production operates within the BBC Editorial Guidelines 
•    Be a role model for the BBC values & have knowledge and understanding of BBC and external policy and guidelines.