Job Purpose

Band: C
Contract type: Fixed term contract
Location: BBC Studios, Roath Lock, Cardiff
Start Date: January/ February 2024 (TBC) – Duration 6 months

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: reasonable.adjustments@bbc.co.uk

Job Impact

BBC Studios is a global creative powerhouse for the development, production and distribution of bold, British, content. We produce more than 2,500 hours of content per year, operate in 22 markets globally and generate revenue of 1.4bn, returning around 200m profit to BBC Public Service each year.
Factual Entertainment Productions produce a wide range of original, well-loved and highly acclaimed TV productions, such as Bargain Hunt, Weatherman Walking, DIY SOS, Antiques Roadshow and Countryfile
Bargain Hunt is BBC1’s popular daytime antiques series. It has been one of the nation’s favourite TV shows for more than 20 years and is broadcast almost every day of the year, regularly attracting up to 2 million viewers. The Cardiff-based production team makes 96 new episodes of the programme each year, including specials. We film with presenters, experts and contributors at antiques fairs and auctions across the UK.

Bargain Hunt is looking for a talented Director to join the Cardiff based team. This is a development opportunity aimed at candidates wishing to move into their first Director role. We welcome all applications but this role will be particularly suited to television researchers or assistant producers with substantial experience of working on fast turnaround network factual productions who are looking to take the next step in their career.
Directors are responsible for scripting and directing episodes within a series and taking them through the edit at our Cardiff based post production facility. You will work closely with the series producer and series editor to make several programmes simultaneously. You must be able to demonstrate creative visual flair and you will have some experience of scripting and directing simple sequences for television.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• The key creative responsible for the visual look and feel of several episodes
• You will have an understanding of narrative and be able to create entertaining and factually accurate scripts and direct crew to achieve your vision
• You will understand how to use appropriate tools – cameras, filming techniques, archive etc to realise the editorial visions
• You will understand the roles and accountabilities of all team members and will direct them accordingly.
• Working with the Series Producer and Series Editor, you will develop the programme from the commissioned proposal into full production, ensuring that it achieves its stated aims across all platforms.
• You will lead and motivate a directorial, research and production management team, ensuring that the vision for the series is communicated and understood. You will inspire the directorial and wider production team to realise this vision by providing a strong sense of direction and a supportive environment in which to work.
• Working within financial constraints, you will be accountable for the construction of a full production schedule
• Responsible for the choice, negotiation, control and co-ordination of required production facilities, technical resources and staff, to ensure that they possess appropriate qualifications, experience and safety expertise
• Ensure that scripts are finalised, in conjunction with the senior editorial staff
• 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. Responsibility for the delivery to the Executive Producer of the finished programme within all BBC editorial guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience

• Substantial experience as a researcher or assistant producer in factual television production, dealing with on-screen talent and contributors on busy location filming days
• 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 Cardiff 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 programme 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.
• Work closely with the production management team and be responsible for ensuring that programmes are delivered on time and on budget.
• 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 and meets the needs of the audience and the Controller.
• Be a role model for the BBC values & have knowledge and understanding of BBC and external policy and guidelines.

About the BBC

We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours in the document attached below.

Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.