Job Description

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Senior Journalist, Growth (Search)

Job Requisition ID: 35305
Job Closing Date: 21st of December 2025
Cardiff, GBR, CF10 1FT
JOB DETAILS
JOB BAND: D
CONTRACT TYPE: Attachment/FTC, 12 months
DEPARTMENT: BBC News
LOCATION: Cardiff
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: 41,200 - 51,500 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.
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.
JOB PURPOSE
Join BBC News' Growth team to help shape our side-door strategy, i.e. attracting users who don't regularly visit the BBC News website or app by meeting them where they already are-on platforms they use daily like search engines, social media and personalised content feeds. As a Senior Journalist, your focus will initially be on Google Search, Google Discover, YouTube and a variety of different AI experiences, but you may also be asked to use other audience insights, and social data to help ensure our journalism reaches the widest possible audience. This role involves a shift pattern for weekday working, and weekend duties as part of a rota.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
This role offers the chance to influence BBC News' Search strategy, work with talented colleagues across the newsroom and beyond (e.g. in the Planning, Curation and Metdata teams), and develop your expertise in audience growth initiatives. You will be part of a multidisciplinary Growth team which prides itself on a collaborative, inclusive and respectful team culture.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Research, compile and share advice, by monitoring real-time and long-term search trends to identify opportunities for news coverage and advising on optimising editorial output using keyword research and on-page SEO best practices.
• Analyse historical search data to inform planning and predict future trends.
• Keep up to date with algorithm changes and SEO, AI & platform developments, sharing updates internally.
• Support training and development of journalists' SEO skills.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Expert understanding of Google Search Console and enterprise SEO tools (e.g., News Dashboard).
• Strong experience with data analysis tools (e.g., Piano).
• Knowledge of the data available on social media platforms, and a willingness to undertake projects using this data
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to a collaborative, respectful and inclusive workplace culture

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Experience in training or mentoring colleagues on SEO and digital best practices.
• Familiarity with audience segmentation and growth tactics.
• Editorial experience and understanding of content production, formats, user needs, and newsroom workflow

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.
For any general queries, please contact:
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
Here you will benefit from:

• Fair pay and flexible benefits including a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym.
• Excellent career and professional development.
• Support in your working life, including flexible working which you can discuss with us at any point during the application, selection or offer.
• A values-based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.

Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis or on an orchestra conditions contract.
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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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