ITV
Production Journalist (12-month FTC)
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Production Journalist
UTV
Workplace: Belfast (This is an office-based role unsuitable for hybrid working).
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 teamwork 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.
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.
Role Overview:
As a Production Journalist, you will have superb organization skills with the ability to set up all the key elements of a story for television news. You will be able to cope well under pressure and be able to meet frequent tight deadlines.
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 content to planning stories, in a way which engages our audience.
Key Responsibilities:
- To produce high-quality and compliant bulletins across all of our output, 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 write stories and scripts that are accurate, compliant, and engaging.
- To be proficient at editing pictures using the editing software provided.
- To create accurate graphics for bulletins, programmes, and packages which clearly illustrate stories and communicate ideas using the template-based graphic system.
- 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 make, maintain, and nurture a wide range of relevant contacts.
- 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.
- To be able to perform all the roles consistently regardless of weekend, early, or late working.
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Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria):
- Fully qualified NCTJ, BJTC, or equivalent experience.
- Working knowledge of Ofcom code, media law, and compliance.
- Evidence of researching and developing original ideas.
- 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.
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to plan multiple stories while prioritizing tasks.
- Strong writing skills for TV and digital (accurate spelling and grammar essential).
- Excellent news judgment 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.
Other things we’re looking for (key criteria):
- Confident and clear communication skills, with the ability to source contributors and put them at ease to get the best story possible.
- The ability to work well in a team environment.
- The ability to use initiative, be self-motivated, and quick-thinking.
- The ability to remain calm and resilient in what is often a busy work environment.
- The willingness and aptitude to learn other skills and to be happy to share skills with others for the benefit of the whole team.
- The ability to work to deadlines.
- The ability to make strong and decisive decisions under pressure.
- The ability to bring in stories from underrepresented people from across our region as well as underrepresented parts of the patch.
- A positive attitude to work.
- Resilience and the ability to thrive working in a constantly changing news agenda.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Social Media/Digital awareness.
- An enthusiasm and willingness to embrace further changes in technology and workflow.
- The aptitude to use the full range of digital newsroom technology.
- Clear understanding of and commitment to DE&I and Health & Safety policies.
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Working Hours:
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). You are expected to provide your own means of transportation to and from your main workplace.
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:
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.
Newsrooms are busy and pressurised environments, involving live news production, which often requires colleagues to make quick decisions under pressure. We also need people who are able to use their initiative and, particularly for editorial roles, know what information might be required and how to research it.
We need to test these abilities at the interview stage to understand how candidates will react when operating in a pressurised environment. This is a fundamental requirement of the role. We will always consider any request for reasonable adjustments as part of the interview process, for example, sharing key themes when that is requested in connection with a neurodivergent condition, whilst still ensuring that we are able to test a candidate's ability to operate in the specific environment of a newsroom.
Closing Date:
Monday 5th October 2026
Please note the notice period for this role is 2 months (this will include any new contracts/secondments).
Please note, this role will be subject to a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
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