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Job Introduction

Transparency is an essential element in ensuring audiences feel they can trust the BBC’s journalism. There has never been a more important time to ensure news consumers understand not just what we know, but how we know it – and the new forensic journalism hub in BBC News will be at the heart of this as we find new ways to share more of the important, thoughtful work that goes into verifying, fact checking and sourcing our journalism.

The newly created unit brings together the BBC’s best analysts, fact-checkers, data specialists and designers from across domestic and global teams with expertise in data journalism, disinformation and the latest Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and verification techniques.

The team’s physical location above the newsroom will combine a live broadcasting environment with an operational centre of excellence where we can take the audience through our investigative journey, showing at each step how we verify the information we report.

The BBC is seeking a dynamic leader able to give clear strategic direction to the newly formed team, and identify editorial opportunities to tell exciting stories using innovative and impactful formats.

The role will report into the Director of News Content and will be a member of the News Content senior management team.

Main Responsibilities

As the Executive Editor you will lead a team delivering authoritative, agenda-setting forensic journalism in a clear, distinctive and impactful way.

• You will understand and protect the independence and integrity of the output, ensuring that it meets BBC editorial policy standards and can sustain public, legal, political and media scrutiny.
• You will work to support the BBC’s objective to grow the value we deliver to all audiences across the UK and globally.
• You will take managerial, editorial and financial responsibility for a team of journalists where you develop and promote a robust but creative editorial environment; encouraging the team to pioneer new innovative approaches to data journalism and analysis; as well as originate and deliver original story ideas/material with editorial ambition.
• You will represent the BBC at a senior level and lead a team with high-profile talent, including the BBC’s Analysis Editor.

Are you the right candidate?

You will have:

• Extensive understanding of forensic and data-driven journalism, with a knowledge of the latest techniques and technology in OSINT and UGC verification.
• Significant experience of managing large journalism teams on high-profile output and successfully delivering cultural and organisational change through clear leadership.
• Demonstrable ability to make major decisions with authority and under pressure, and the ability to deal with daily and long-term editorial demands.
• A deep understanding of changing audience habits and the evolving media landscape, in particular in relation to forensic and investigative journalism.
• A track record of commissioning original, high impact journalism, with a particular emphasis on reaching audiences on digital platforms.
• A sharp eye for a great story, across the broadest range of subject matter, and a willingness to promote innovation in storytelling and new techniques in the forensic sourcing of material and new information.
• Experience of recruiting and managing a large diverse team, demonstrating strong leadership skills.
• An ability to manage diverse stakeholders, often operating under tight timescales and managing competing priorities.
• To demonstrate a clear strategy for the department, in line with the wider BBC News objectives.
• To work collaboratively across BBC News, in particular with colleagues in World Service Languages and Monitoring, and the wider BBC with shared knowledge, information and mutual support where appropriate.
• To guard the BBC’s journalistic and editorial standards, support the BBC brand and enhance reach, reputation and the impact of the BBC, responding to complaints and comments if required.
• A detailed understanding of impartiality as well as the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and the law in relation to journalism.

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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.

To find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at the BBC, please click here

Package Description

Band: SL
Contract type: Permanent
Location: London (New Broadcasting House)

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 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 (1 of which is a corporation day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.