Digital Reporter, BBC News, Los Angeles

Package Description

Job Reference: 23165

Band: C

Salary: $66,000-$90,000 US, depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

Contract type: At will

Location: Los Angeles Bureau

This is a local hire position and eligible candidates must be able to live and work in the US (US citizenship, Green Card or work authorisation).

Job Introduction

It’s an exciting time to be part of BBC News as we grow in North America. Our independent, impartial and unrivalled global journalism has made us one of the most trusted news brands in the US, where we reach tens of millions of people each week across digital, TV and radio.

We are recruiting a digital reporter to work on breaking news coverage for our website (BBC.com/news) and app, based in our Los Angeles bureau.

Main Responsibilities

You will be part of a team reporting and writing breaking and daily news on the biggest stories in North America, from US politics and high-profile criminal trials to natural disasters and the Academy Awards.

We are looking for someone able to turn their hand to a vast range of stories and formats - tasks could range from writing the first take of a breaking national news story alerted to millions of people to putting together a lively colour piece unpacking a Hollywood scandal.

You will be a self-starter who loves the thrill of breaking news, can write accurate and engaging copy quickly and has a thoughtful and creative approach to finding fresh angles on the biggest stories, including those of appeal to our large West Coast audience.

While you will be expected cover all kinds of national news, experience reporting on US entertainment and culture, and a contact book in this area, would be a significant bonus.

You will work under supervising editors based in Washington DC and New York and liaise closely with a senior editor based in LA who oversees our coverage of California and the American West. You will also occasionally work on major global stories as part of our 24/7 coverage, collaborating with colleagues in Singapore and Sydney.

Our North American digital operation covers US and Canadian news for domestic and global audiences. It is staffed 7 days a week. In this role, you will be expected to work both day and early evening shifts, including some weekends, and will be based in our Los Angeles office.

Finally, BBC News is committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive organisation. We expect you to help cultivate that.

Are you the right candidate?

We are looking for candidates with:

• A proven ability to jump on major breaking news stories and write clear and accurate copy based on a range of sources
• A track record of generating daily coverage ideas and angles and chasing down reporting at pace
• Knowledge of the US and international news agenda, and an understanding of the BBC’s strict standards on accuracy and impartiality
• Ability to cope with high pressure, communicate clearly, juggle multiple tasks and work collaboratively in a fast-paced newsroom
• Familiarity with using social media, search and audience data to improve storytelling and broaden audience reach
• Bonus: A background of reporting in the entertainment and culture space

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.

To find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at the BBC, please click here.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory