Community News Reporters

Production Journalist
1x 12-month FTC

1x 9-month FTC

Office location: Belfast ( This is an office based role unsuitable for hybrid working).

The range does not represent a longer term salary commitment for the role.

We are looking for an experienced and multi-skilled Production Journalist to join our broadcast and digital news team at UTV.
The successful candidate will be a self-motivated journalist, who loves the production and teamworking involved in news. You’ll have a current contacts list, bulging with links to different communities, the ability to bring in ideas and a clear understanding of how to get them to air.
Northern Ireland is a richly diverse region and we're looking for a person who will help ensure our coverage is as representative of the people and backgrounds of all those who live here as possible.

As a Production Journalist you will have superb organisation skills with the ability to set up all the key elements of a story for television news. The role is based in our Belfast newsroom, and the successful candidate will work on television and digital news production, from producing early, late and weekend bulletins and planning stories, to creating online content that enhances our reputation and engages our digital audience.
You will have excellent editorial judgement and social media skills. You will be qualified in Media Law and have a thorough understanding of the Ofcom Code.
So, if you thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same and you have the journalistic skills that will help us achieve our goals, we’d love to hear from you.
To produce high quality and compliant bulletins across all of our output (breakfast, lunch, late and weekends), operating effectively in a live gallery, making decisions under pressure where necessary and giving clear instructions to the presenter over timings and scripting amendments during broadcast
To be proficient at editing pictures using the editing software provided
To curate ITV’s Digital offering on the website or ITVX as required
To assist the news desk or planning team with research, planning and newsgathering
To generate original and creative ideas, contributing to the news agenda of the day, on-screen and online
To research story ideas thoroughly and creatively for on-air and online output
To meet all online and on-air deadlines throughout the day, reacting quickly to breaking stories, and regularly liaising with the news desk
To exercise excellent editorial judgement, maintaining professional journalistic standards and adhering to ITV’s Legal & Compliance, ITV Trust and OFCOM guidelines
To be proactive about diversity, equity and inclusion ensuring the output reflects new stories and issues across the audience spectrum
Working knowledge of Ofcom code, media law and compliance
Evidence of taking a creative approach to storytelling, treatments and production for both on-air and online
Knowledge and understanding of digital platforms and how to tap into new audiences online
Strong writing skills for TV and digital (accurate spelling and grammar essential)
Excellent news judgement with a comprehensive knowledge of and interest in national and regional news
A strong knowledge of the patch, its cultural heritage and an awareness of the types of stories that engage our audiences
A proven track record of producing excellent content to deadline and under pressure

A resilience and ability to thrive working in a constantly changing news agenda
Social Media/Digital awareness
The aptitude to use the full range of digital newsroom technology
Clear understanding of and commitment to DE&I and Health & Safety policies

Please note, the rostered hours for this role will include weekend working , late shifts as well as early morning shifts and Bank Holidays. The working pattern will incorporate late shifts (typically 23:00 finish) as well as early morning (typically 05:00 start). Because of the nature of news production, there will be occasions when you are required to work long and unsociable hours at short notice. Some members of the Production Team may be required to travel to district offices or to work in other news operations as well as attending relevant forums, development sessions and meetings off site as part of their role

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of what we do at UTV and we want to ensure we reflect our audience both on screen and in our workforce. ITV is for Everyone and we encourage applications from Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent people and People of Colour to apply for this role.

As a Disability Confident Leader, if you meet the minimum criteria for a role and you have declared that you are disabled, we’ll guarantee to take you to the next stage* (minimum criteria above).

Newsrooms are busy and pressurised environments, involving live news production, which often requires colleagues to make quick decisions under pressure. We need to test these abilities at the interview stage to understand how candidates will react when operating in a pressurised environment. Drop us a line if you require anything at talkingcareers@itv.com .

*Please note, this role will be subject to a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)