Job Description

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Make-up Designer (EastEnders)

Job Requisition ID: 35807
Job Closing Date: Sunday 4th January 2026
London, GBR, WD6 1JF
| London, GBR, WD6 1JF
JOB DETAILS
JOB BAND: D
CONTRACT TYPE: Continuing
DEPARTMENT: EastEnders
LOCATION: Elstree
WORKING PATTERN: 3 days per week (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
START DATE: February 2026
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: 49,000 - 59,000pa (including London weighting) full time equivalent, pro rata for 21 hours per week. Salary dependent on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.
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
One of the UK's most ambitious and iconic soaps, EastEnders, is looking for a Make Up Designer to join the team on a permanent basis.
The Make-Up team work closely with Producers and other HOD's to ensure make-up designs align with editorial ambition and maintain continuity across storylines and character profiles. The Make-Up Designer is responsible for overseeing a team of Make Up Assistants and Trainees, and deputising for the Series Make Up Designer as required.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
The EastEnders Make-Up team cover a huge range of make-up and hair techniques, styles and designs. With 4 shows going out every week, the pace is fast and situations are subject to change at last minute, offering an exciting environment for experienced Make-Up professionals to stretch their skills.
Second in command to the Series Designer, this role is an opportunity to take a step towards HOD. In addition to managing teams and supporting with day-to-day production requirements, you will deputise for the Series Designer on a regular basis; providing leadership on set and assisting with other managerial duties such as forward planning.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Assist the Series Make-Up Designer to ensure make-up designs align with editorial ambition and maintain continuity across storylines and character profiles
• Manage teams of Make-Up Artists and Trainees, and deputise for Series Designer being first point of contact on set and taking on managerial administrative duties
• Provide full script and continuity notes alongside HOD
• Workforce planning; support with scheduling and communicate changes to relevant departments, assist with recruitment, and book additional crew for dailies / photoshoots
• Manage Make Up and personnel budget alongside HOD
• Maintain a safe working environment at all times, providing expert advice on guidelines such as COSHH

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Proven experience as a Make-Up Designer on a long running or continuing drama, with knowledge of multi-team, multi-unit, and multi-camera setups
• Expert knowledge and experience of carrying out a wide range of hair and make up techniques, styles and designs including special effects, wigs, hair styling, hair cutting, and experience of working with Black hair, and make up for people of colour
• Proven ability to collaborate with and influence a wide range of stakeholders - including artists, heads of department and their teams - resolving differences in opinion as required
• Proven leadership skills; experience of managing and developing teams to deliver against tight deadlines and to high ambition, while promoting a positive, inclusive culture
• Evidence of ability to handle conflicting demands under tight deadlines, combined with a strong passion for drama, especially EastEnders

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we'd love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.
Disclaimer
This 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.
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.
Redeployment
The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC 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.
Information at a Glance
This is your BBC
At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world's best loved content, and the BBC's mission to inform, educate and entertain.
Life at BBC Studios

• A flexible 35-hour working week with 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and the option to buy an extra five days.
• Defined pension (up to 10% employer contributions).
• Caring and parenting support, 24/7 remote GP access, life assurance and accident benefit.
• BBC Studios is a world leader in operating sustainably both on and off screen. Find out more about BBC Group's science-based Net Zero targets .
• Career development in a values-led purpose-driven culture.

Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis.
Learn more about life at the BBC and our values in our candidate pack.
You belong
We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential.
We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.
We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.
Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy below.
Disability confident
We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we'd be happy to discuss:
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#BBCSTUDIOS
BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: 01420028, registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.
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Skills Required