Job Introduction

Our award-winning continuing dramas bring audiences together week after week. From EastEnders, Doctors, Holby City and Casualty to River City and Pobol y Cwm, our programmes remain a constant source of gripping entertainment, featuring cliff-hanger storylines and much-loved characters with whom our viewers have grown up.

We constantly find ways to innovate and keep our titles fresh - from live broadcasts to feature-length episodes, we strive to push creative and technical boundaries. Our continuing dramas are also a powerhouse of diverse new creative talent where we develop the next generation of writers, directors and actors that represent the best of British creativity.

Role Responsibility

As Script Editor you will ensure commissioned scripts are delivered to a standard and conform to the editorial brief, as well as providing advice on all script related matters associated with the production.  You will act as a key point of contact between the writer and the production team, and manage and build the relationship.  As well as coordinating script changes, you will generate creative story ideas and suggestions about specific episodes.

As Story Editor you will be required to work closely with the Story Producer in order to support them in both creating and writing clear and concise Story Documents whilst also generating, developing and writing storylines in a variety of formats.  The ability to also write detailed synopsis of stories so that all Writers, Producers and members of the Script Team are aware of the sections in which their requirements fits into the overall plan is one of the main elements of this role. 

A Scripted Production Office is a constantly changing environment.  The postholder will need the ability to adopt a flexible approach, manage a variable workload and adapt to the different working styles of colleagues.

The Ideal Candidate

To undertake the role of a Script or Story Editor, it is expected that you are both experienced as a Script Editor, Story Editor or Storyliner in Continuing Drama, Television or Theatre and are able to undertake the following requirements:

Script Editor -

• You should have significant experience in generating creative ideas and treatments

• Experience of working with new and experienced Writers, as well as a thorough knowledge of script sources and the availability and potential of emerging Talent
• Used to working well under pressure and to tight deadlines, with strong communication, negotiation, influencing and persuading skills
• Have an awareness of the financial implications of editorial decisions
• A sound understanding of Copyright Law, Writers Guild Agreements, Contracts and the Legal implications of Production processes
• Evidence of managing difficult situations with tact and sensitivity

Story Editor -

• An ability to write clear, concise and unambiguous prose
• A thorough and demonstrable understanding of character, story and structure
• Resilience and stamina sufficient to sustain performance when under pressure from tight schedules
• Proven ability to persuade and influence and resolve differences in professional opinions, whilst being able to take several different opinions in a story meeting and reach a common ground
• An awareness of the financial impact of differing storylines and an understanding of cast budgets
• An understanding of Copyright law, Writers Guild agreements, contracts and the legal implications of the production process. Knowledge of corporate conditions of service, equal opportunities and health & safety policies, Editorial Guidelines and relevant trade union agreements

About the Company

We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours in the document attached below.

Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity. 

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.