Future Planet Editor - 6 month FTC

Job Introduction

BBC Studios is seeking a Senior Journalist to be the digital features editor of BBC Future Planet.

Aimed at a global audience, Future Planet publishes solutions-focused feature stories, including text and video, about sustainability, climate change and the environment. Since its launch three years ago, Future Planet has built a reputation for high quality, evidence-based reporting on how our modern way of life can be more sustainable in fair and equitable ways. Climate change, and how the world tries to tackle it, will be one of the biggest stories of this century. We are looking for an experienced environment or science journalist who can help us tell stories from around the world the efforts to confront this challenge.

While Future Planet will fall under its “parent” website BBC Future (bbc.com/future), the section has its own commissioning budget, voice and ethos – including making its carbon footprint as small as possible and relying on local reporters.

This role will require someone with a strong background in commissioning and editing features journalism; who has experience in science journalism, ideally environmental; who is passionate about bringing sustainability-related stories to our BBC.com audience of more than 100 million worldwide; and who has the kind of entrepreneurial spirit needed to continue growing Future Planet’s audience and traffic.

Main Responsibilities

• Work with the wider editorial team to develop and implement an strategy that supports and grows Future Planet’s coverage.
• Commission, edit, write and publish solutions-focused stories, video and potentially interactives on topics including sustainability, climate change, the environment and pollution.
• Understand, uphold and further develop the ethos of Future Planet, including its reliance on local voices and its commitment to cutting the carbon footprint of any reporting processes.
• Commission, edit and liaise with writers and content makers from around the world.
• Exercise editorial judgment in developing ideas and producing accurate and impartial journalism, and ensure that all content adheres to BBC editorial guidelines.
• Work closely with other team members, including the Future Planet social media journalist and our BBC.com features audience growth editor, from the commissioning stage until production, in order to brainstorm ideas and optimise story angles, headlines and assets.

Are you the right candidate?

• Experience with commissioning, editing and producing high quality digital features.
• Background in science journalism, particularly in the subject areas of the environment, sustainability and/or climate change.
• Genuine commitment to the principles and ethos behind Future Planet, eg the focus on solutions journalism, local voices and a minimised carbon footprint.
• A high standard of writing ability and editing skills in clear, fluent British English.
• The ability to find and cultivate new talent from around the world to tell the stories affecting their communities.
• A collaborative, can-do attitude that allows you to work closely and productively within a small team, but also forge relationships around the BBC.
• An understanding of how to build a diverse stable of freelancers from around the world.

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

To find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at the BBC, please visit our website.

Package Description

Band: D
Contract Type: Full time/ 6 month FTC
Location: London TVC

Working Pattern: Hybrid Working (Home-based plus two/three days a week in the office)

We are really proud to share that we are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and so if you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply please do contact us at resourcing@bbc.co.uk with the job reference in the subject. We advertise all our roles on Evenbreak, the specialist job board for disabled candidates

• Flexible/agile working - opportunities across the business. We’re happy to discuss a formal flexible working pattern. 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 certifications.
• Benefits - We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (plus an additional day 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.