JOB DESCRIPTION

Designation: Producer, Visual Radio, Radio 1 in BBC iPlayer Grade: 7-9D Division: BBC Radio Department: BBC Radio 1/1Xtra Reports to: Editor, Radio 1 in BBC iPlayer

Introduction

This role is one of a group of production jobs within Radio where flexibility is valued and the development of transferable skills across genres and different programme outputs supports career development and diversity.

It is responsible for producing creative content for Radio 1/1Xtra for consumption via online and the BBC TV iPlayer with the objective of building public value, and increasing audience reach and share.

Job purpose

A producer develops and makes creative content. This involves finding new ways to connect with audiences and identifying interesting content and formats. Producers are expected to manage staff and budgets.

Producers are responsible for ensuring the programmes and content they produce complies with all relevant BBC and external (e.g. Ofcom) guidelines and legislation. They will refer up on matters of potential controversy and for editorial advice.

Context

BBC Radio 1 aims to entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech; BBC Radio 1Xtra plays the best in contemporary black music, with a strong emphasis on live music and supporting new UK artists. Working closely together the stations look to connect the BBC with the next generation of young audiences and be the leading voice in young UK culture.

Radio 1 and 1Xtra's Visualisation department has been responsible for a huge range of visual content both online, on air and on Red Button. In the past year it has covered 1Xtra Live, the backstage shows at the Big Weekend, the Live Lounge, the Internet Takeover, and Scott Mills’ Student Tour. It has pioneered creative new ways to enhance radio programming to ensure that the content is as shareable as possible and have collaborated with radio production teams to devise new styles of contemporary youth broadcasting.

Using software such as Premiere Pro, and a range of the latest cameras, the team has filmed, edited and produced interviews, sketches and stunts for both networks. Using simple vision-mixing hardware it has streamed entire radio shows and supported R1/1X content all over the UK. The popularity of video for the young audience means that it is more important than ever for R1/1X to ensure that the most quality and distinctive content it has is available online in a format they enjoy and on platforms they use regularly.

Nov 2015 1 In 2014 Radio 1 launched its channel in BBC iPlayer, to provide an official home for visual content on the BBC. As well as carrying the best of the day-to-day visual output of Radio 1, the channel has also featured new commissions including The School Run, Charlie Sloth’s Rap Up, a range of Radio 1 Stories, and Radio 1 Live Sessions. As well as indie commissions, in-house content is made by a sub-team within the Visualisation department, dedicated to producing and delivering content tailored for the iPlayer platform.

Job role:

This role is one of a number of Producers within the small in-house team that makes content for the Radio 1 channel in BBC iPlayer. This role requires a candidate with an understanding of a wide range of the music genres featured on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra; a knowledge of the digital video consumption behaviours of young Britons, and an instinctive understanding and appreciation of modern youth culture and cultural trends.

Working to the Editor of Radio 1 in iPlayer, producers will devise, script, light, film, edit and publish a range of programmes directly to iPlayer. The successful candidate will be an excellent idea generator, with a track-record of devising and developing new video formats. They will work closely with radio show teams to invent industry- first content ideas that work on iPlayer, on the radio, and on third-party video platforms.

With iPlayer as a priority, these producers will need to work closely with the Visual Radio team and the output it creates in order to have the requisite impact the role demands. They must also have considerable visual and digital experience as well as a knowledge of radio and the emerging methods of content production for it. They will be required to quickly and effectively develop a working knowledge of the iPlayer platform, and how to deliver content specifically targeted to its 6.9m-strong user base.

Planning, creating, managing and delivering content

A producer is expected to:

Take editorial responsibility for the planning and production of content on multiple platforms, in accordance with BBC and external legislation and guidelines.

Contribute and pitch ideas for programmes, packages, contributors, online content, events and interactivity.

Identify contributors, assess their suitability to support and illustrate programme ideas and secure their participation.

Produce music or speech content both for live and pre-recorded programmes and events and on multiple platforms.

Interpret and implement creative briefs from senior staff or commissioners and to work within the resources allocated.

Produce studio visuals. Produce visual outside broadcasts as required.

Nov 2015 2 Interview and report in recorded and live situations in studio or on location as required.

Operate broadcast equipment, portable recording equipment, self-operating studio equipment and digital editing and interactive systems. This includes ensuring that the sound and video quality broadcast is of a high standard.

Visit locations for proposed recordings or live transmissions and ensure the suitability and safety of the venue in consultation with relevant experts.

Develop new content and ways of encouraging existing and potential audiences to engage with that content. Forward plan material for future programmes and events.

Ensure all content accurately reflects the diversity of our society in line with diversity and portrayal guidelines.

Ensure editorial and legal compliance (for example data protection requirements) at all appropriate stages of the production and post-production process including the clearance of rights and permissions.

Know when to refer up whether for editorial guidance or on matters of potential controversy.

Respond to the audience either via email, message board or other form of interactivity.

Carry out the responsibilities of the producer role as outlined in Radio’s Health and Safety policy and guidelines.

Plan and manage resources

Manage budgets and resources using BBC finance and business systems.

Comply with scheduling and fair trading guidelines.

Plan the effective use of resources for multi platform content.

Where necessary, administer production finance and business systems.

Manage media assets

Ensure that the broadcast content is stored in a way that allows future reuse on multiple platforms.

Maintain and manipulate programme content held on server based digital systems as required by programmes or networks.

Ensure copyright and contracts adhere to BBC regulations.

Liaise with Talent Rights Negotiation and other BBC contract negotiators where required.

Be responsible for the accuracy of all content associated with the visual both pre and post transmission.

Nov 2015 3 Manage the performance of production areas

Oversee the work of presenters, reporters, researchers, assistant producers, contributors and broadcast assistants where required.

Develop and manage positive working relationships with staff, contributors and talent and be able to give constructive feedback. To be an effective and committed team player.

Work flexibly with teams in the division and the BBC, building and maintaining collaborative relationships.

Manage the performance and recruitment of teams or individuals as required.

Support and work in accordance with the BBC’s policies on people management and diversity.

Be a role model for the BBC values.

Drive continuous improvement

Look for and suggest improvements in the making and delivery of content and to be open to feedback and use it to inform future systems and ways of working.

Knowledge, skills and experience

A producer will have:

Demonstrable knowledge of BBC Radio’s output and that of its competitors.

Demonstrable passion for broadcasting to appropriate audience, and knowledge of those subjects which fascinate, entertain and appeal to this audience.

For drama and music content: comprehensive knowledge, understanding and contacts relevant to the network or programme (e.g. range of music, culture, trends, heritage of music, talent, popular culture, new writing) For speech content: strong journalistic skills

Innovative and imaginative approach to programme ideas.

Sound editorial judgement and an in-depth understanding of BBC and external policy and guidelines.

Enthusiasm for visual radio and appreciation of how audiences use digital media and platforms.

Good contacts and ways of finding content from different sources.

Knowledge of techniques of audio and visual content production and its use on multiple platforms.

Proven ability to originate and develop creative ideas which engage diverse audiences in a demanding creative environment.

Nov 2015 4 Experience of writing clear and concise material which may be used for briefs, scripts, and digital platforms.

Ability to enter metadata accurately into relevant business or broadcast systems.

Experience of operating editing, workshop and studio equipment and a willingness to learn new techniques as required.

High quality editing skills for content for use on different platforms.

Strong technical skills to produce and record broadcast quality content in a range of digital environments, whether self-ops, on location, on desktops or in workshops as required.

Ability to manipulate data and audio effectively between systems and upload audio, video and text into interactive systems.

Seek guidance from experts where appropriate e.g. from Interactive or Resources colleagues.

Strong computer literacy and ability to learn new production technologies and adapt to new ways of working.

Attention to detail on all aspects of production.

Ability to manage production budgets and resources effectively.

Effective people and performance management skills.

Ability to work flexibly and adapt to new ways of working.

‘Supporting core principles of Radio Production Job Descriptions are available at: http://audioandmusic.gateway.bbc.co.uk/hr/media/Supporting%20core%20principles %20of%20AM%20Audio%20prod%20jds%20long%20FINAL.doc

A job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Nov 2015 5