Trainee Director, Bargain Hunt

The Junior Director joins BBC Studios’ Specialist Factual team on Bargain Hunt in Cardiff on a fixed-term basis: one post runs from 19 January to 25 June 2027, while the second is expected to run from July or August 2027, with dates to be confirmed. The role involves scripting and directing episodes from production through edit and delivery. This is a first-director development post, combining office work and in-person edits in Cardiff with filming across the UK; flexible working can be discussed. Applicants need substantial factual television production experience at assistant-producer level or similar, including work with talent and contributors on location, plus experience writing scripts and directing sequences.

What the job involves

• Shape the visual style of several episodes
• Develop the programme from its commissioned proposal into production and meet its aims across platforms
• Lead and support the directorial, research and production management teams so they understand and deliver the series vision
• Create a full production schedule within financial limits
• Select, negotiate, manage and coordinate production facilities, technical resources and appropriately qualified, experienced and safety-aware staff
• Work with senior editorial staff to ensure scripts are accurate and finalised
• Ensure on-screen content reflects British society’s diversity and represents ethnic and other groups appropriately under BBC Producer Guidelines
• Deliver finished programmes to the Executive Producer in line with BBC editorial guidelines
• Script, direct and take episodes through edit, working on several programmes at once with the Series Producer and Series Editor
• Work from the Cardiff production base, attend edits in person at the Cardiff Bay post-production facility and film on location across the UK

Experience

• Substantial experience as an assistant producer or at a similar level in factual television production, working with on-screen talent and contributors on busy location filming days
• Some experience writing scripts and directing simple television sequences

Skills & knowledge

• Creative visual flair
• Understanding of television editing
• Strong writing skills and ability to originate creative programme ideas
• Ability to find and clear suitable archive material
• Knowledge of BBC output, competitors and audience needs
• Good editorial judgement and knowledge of BBC editorial and legal guidelines; understanding of audiences and how to represent under-represented communities accurately

Nice to have

• Passion for antiques and history
• Some experience in the edit

What’s offered

• Flexible working can be discussed

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