Senior News Editor, AI

1. The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC for different reasons.
2. We are looking for a senior editor to lead the adoption and integration of GenAI and AI technologies into BBC News.
3. We offer excellent career progression, unrivalled training and development opportunities, and a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance.

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 negotiable salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym. 

Freelancers are eligible to apply for an internal role if they are on a Worker Contract and they have worked continuously for 6 months. If they have worked for less than 6 months continuously or have a break of 3 weeks or more between engagements, they must seek Divisional HR approval to apply for an internal role prior to submitting an application.

Job Introduction

We are looking for a senior editor to lead the adoption and integration of GenAI and AI technologies into BBC News maintaining the balance between audience needs, the operating landscape, responsible implementation and the BBC’s editorial values.

With a focus on delivery, this leader will work with editors across the News division to progress pilots integrating GenAI and AI technology. They will do this work in very close collaboration with colleagues in other divisions, including Product, R+D, Nations, Content and Strategy.

This leader will also work with other parts of the organisation to respond to fast moving changes in digital news consumption as a result of GenAI adoption. They will work with various teams on required tactical and strategic shifts to ensure continued access and distribution for BBC News off-platform.

Main Responsibilities

Responsible for ensuring BBC News adopts and implements AI technology appropriately and successfully in line with established policies, standards and practices

Day-to-day management of the programme of work around AI integration within BBC News

Maintains relationships with relevant internal stakeholders and third-party partners and organisations  

Provides input into functional AI strategy across BBC News and deputises for Executive News Editor (AI, Social and Growth) on AI topics when needed

Are you the right candidate?

• Substantial experience of journalism and production, as well as proven editorial judgement and substantial experience of managing staff in a daily news environment.
• Experience of successfully delivering newsroom pilots/prototypes to time and budget, gathering meaningful insights to establish delivery of initiatives
• Proven track record of making decisions about emerging technologies in a news setting
• Demonstrable understanding of Generative AI and its potential in all aspects of News as well as the risks
• In depth understanding of editorial needs and workflows

About the BBC

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC for different reasons 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.

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 here.

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.

Job Reference: 18715

Band: F

Salary: £75,000 - £90,000, depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

Contract type: Permanent 

Location: Office Base is Cardiff. This is a hybrid role and the successful candidate will balance office working with home working. Some travel is required for the role.