Trainee Director, Bargain Hunt

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: C

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed term (FTC)

DEPARTMENT: Specialist Factual

LOCATION: Cardiff, Roath Lock

CONTRACT DATES:

Junior Director 1 - 19th January 2027 to 25th June 2027

Junior Director 2 – July/Aug 2027 – TBC

We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage

WE ARE BBC STUDIOS

A globally renowned media company borne of the BBC. We make and distribute the world’s most sought-after TV, audio and digital content.

Our ambition is to be the home of the most powerful, entertaining, and inspiring stories for people all around the world.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Bargain Hunt are looking for a talented Junior Director to join the team. This unique developmental opportunity is aimed at candidates wishing to move into their FIRST Director position, this role will be particularly suited to experienced Assistant Producers or similar level /experience who are looking to move up to directing and take the next step in their career.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

BBC1’s flagship daytime antiques series Bargain Hunt has been one of the nation’s favourite TV shows for more than 25 years, regularly attracting up to 2 million viewers. Working from their base in Cardiff, the production team makes 96 new episodes of the programme each year, including specials, filming with presenters, experts and contributors at antiques fairs and auctions across the UK.

With the support of the senior team, the Junior Director will be responsible for scripting and directing episodes within a series and taking them through the edit at our post-production facility.

You will work closely with the Series Producer and Series Editor to make several programmes simultaneously. You will have substantial experience of working on deadline driven productions and must be able to demonstrate creative visual flair. A passion for antiques and history is highly

desirable, and the successful candidates will already have some experience of script writing and directing simple sequences for television.

Please note, this is a Cardiff-based role. The production team is based in Cardiff and you are expected to spend part of your working week in the office, alongside filming on location across the UK. The edits also take place in person at our post-production facility in Cardiff Bay.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

Supported by the Series Producer and Series Editor your will learn to:

• Be the key creative responsible for the visual look and feel of several episodes.

• Help develop the programme from the commissioned proposal into full production, ensuring that it achieves its stated aims across all platforms.

• 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.

• Work within financial constraints so as to be accountable for the construction of a full production schedule.

• Be 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.

• Work in conjunction with the senior editorial staff to ensure all scripts are accurate and finalised.

• 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.

• Be responsible for the delivery to the Executive Producer of the finished programme within all BBC editorial guidelines.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• An understanding of how TV programmes are edited and ideally, some experience in the edit.

• Strong writing skills and the ability to originate creative programme ideas

• Ability to locate and clear suitable archive to enhance the programme

• Knowledge of the BBC’s output, that of its competitors and the specific needs of our audience.

• Good 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.

Requirements

• Substantial experience as an assistant producer or similar level /experience in factual television production, dealing with on-screen talent and contributors on busy location filming days.

• Able to demonstrate creative visual flair and you will have some experience of writing scripts and directing simple sequences for television.

• Understand how to use appropriate tools – cameras, filming techniques, archive etc to realise the editorial visions.

• Understand narrative and be able to create entertaining and factually accurate scripts and direct crew to achieve your vision.