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Publicist, BBC Radio 4
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CONTRACT TYPE
12-month FTC / Attachment, Full-time (maternity cover, anticipated to run 28/09/26 to 27/09/27)
DEPARTMENT
Communications, BBC Chief Operating Group
LOCATION
London - hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days in the office
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE
£32,500 - £40,000, plus London weighting (£5,441pa), 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.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
In this role, you’ll be leading on publicity for priority BBC Radio 4 programmes, podcasts, talent and editorial moments, working across some of the most loved, talked about and culturally significant audio content in the UK.
You’ll help champion an ambitious and varied slate from major narrative podcasts and prestige drama, to long running national treasures and agenda setting moments on the linear schedule.
Recent and upcoming Radio 4 and BBC Sounds highlights include:
- Uncanny
- Invisible Hands with David Dimbleby
- Intrigue: To Catch a King
- Central Intelligence with Kim Cattrall
- The Gift with Jenny Kleeman
- 60 Years of Hurt with David Baddiel
- You’re Dead to Me
- What’s Up Docs
- Major editorial moments such as The Archers 75th anniversary celebrations
The role will also work across Radio 4’s rich comedy titles, including Friday Night Comedy favourites such as:
- The News Quiz
- Dead Ringers
alongside new programmes including:
- Déjà News with Lucy Porter
- Alistair Green’s The Big Idea
There will also be the opportunity to support major forthcoming priorities including:
- Woman’s Hour’s 80th anniversary
- Radio 4’s 60th anniversary
- The Reith Lectures
- Other high profile launches and editorial moments
You will work closely with programme teams, senior editors, commissioning colleagues across speech audio, presenters, talent and producers to shape and deliver creative campaigns that drive listening, spark conversation, and showcase the breadth and value of Radio 4’s output.
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WHY JOIN THE TEAM
BBC Radio 4 is one of the BBC’s most important and distinctive brands, home to trusted journalism, world class drama, comedy, factual programming, arts, culture and entertainment. The network reaches over nine million listeners every week and plays a central role in the BBC’s audio strategy, both on linear radio and on demand listening.
The Radio 4 publicity team supports flagship brands including:
- Woman’s Hour
- The Archers
- Desert Island Discs
- In Our Time
alongside multiple new commissions each month across all genres from comedy and drama, to factual, arts and entertainment.
This role will help deliver standout publicity campaigns for priority Radio 4 and BBC Sounds content, manage daily reactive press activity and protect and enhance the reputation of one of the BBC’s most high profile services.
There will also be opportunities to contribute to campaigns for programmes and content from across the breadth of the BBC’s output.
Your Key Responsibilities And Impact
As a Publicist you will:
- Lead creative, integrated publicity campaigns for priority BBC Radio 4 programmes, podcasts, presenters and editorial moments across print, online, broadcast and digital platforms
- Deliver proactive campaigns from planning and messaging through to press materials, pitching, interviews, talent coordination and media opportunities
- Secure strong media coverage by identifying compelling stories, developing clear narratives and building trusted relationships with journalists across news, arts, culture, entertainment, audio, TV, podcast and digital media
- Manage daily reactive press activity, including journalist enquiries, breaking news lines, sensitive issues and high-profile editorial moments, and take part in the out-of-hours on-call rota
- Work confidently with senior stakeholders, editors, commissioners, programme makers, presenters, talent, agents, independent producers and external publicists to develop and deliver effective publicity strategies
- Provide clear communications and reputational advice to senior colleagues, helping to manage risks and align messaging with wider BBC priorities
- Support forward planning across the Radio 4 schedule and wider speech audio publicity, including BBC Sounds campaigns, programme information, diary management, opportunity spotting and risk flagging.
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Your Skills And Experience
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
- A passion for radio, podcasts, speech audio and distinctive BBC storytelling, with strong ideas for how to spotlight Radio 4 content to reaching broad and new audiences
- A proven track record of planning and delivering creative, effective publicity campaigns that secure strong coverage across print, online and broadcast media, as well as maximising digital and social media opportunities
- Strong news judgement and understanding of media cycles, with experience spotting stories, managing reactive press enquiries and handling sensitive or high-profile reputational issues
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to work collaboratively with senior colleagues, editorial teams, talent, agents, producers and external partners, identifying and managing reputational issues, and providing clear communications advice
- Excellent writing, organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to create effective campaign content and manage competing demands across a busy, fast-moving slate.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
- Experience of delivering publicity campaigns for radio, podcasts, audio or other editorial content within a media, cultural or creative organisation
- Experience working with content creators and digital talent to develop engaging publicity opportunities that reach new and diverse audiences
- Excellent contacts and established relationships across the podcast and broadcast media and wider audio industry.
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