Correspondent (Technology)

It’s an exciting time to be part of BBC News. We are expanding in North America, our biggest market outside the UK, and we are recruiting a correspondent for our Technology team – based in San Francisco.

The BBC is the most trusted news brand in the US. Our North American operation covers US and Canadian news for domestic and global audiences. You will be an accomplished broadcaster – who’s as comfortable delivering written analysis for online platforms as reporting live for the BBC News’s highest profile TV and radio bulletins.
In this role, you will be expected to be flexible according to the tech news agenda – which will involve working some nights, weekends and on location in different parts of the USA. This role will be based in San Francisco to report first hand from Silicon Valley. You will work closely with the BBC News Technology team based in Glasgow, UK and the network news teams in New York, Washington, London and Singapore – to help deliver round the clock coverage of the biggest stories in technology all over the world.

BBC News is committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive organisation. We expect you to help cultivate that.

Main Responsibilities

As a Correspondent, you’ll provide coverage and analysis of the biggest Technology news stories across a range of BBC output – with a priority on digital first journalism for our online audiences. You’ll use a variety of techniques across all channels and platforms in order to deliver stories in ways which are credible, engaging and accessible for our audiences. You’ll analyse key developments, often at short notice for the BBC news website livepage, and live on air on TV and radio, developing and displaying your specialist knowledge of this subject area. You’ll secure newsmaking and agenda setting interviews with global tech leaders and insiders, as well lead on original journalism from your patch at the heart of Silicon Valley.

Other key responsibilities include:

• Meet high journalistic standards and fully observe BBC Editorial Guidelines, seeking advice from Editorial Policy when appropriate.
• Provide coverage and analysis of technology news in North America, drawing on specific areas of knowledge or the ability to adapt to a range of subject areas.
• Ensure a high level of fast, accurate, fair and engaging journalism.
• Provide well written online journalism, and well produced packages, reports and items for bulletins, programmes and services provided by BBC News across all media.
• Deliver live and packaged content from the field and in the studio including breaking news and planned events for all outputs including TV, radio and digital.
• Deliver longer form films for the BBC’s only global technology technology TV programme Click – for global audiences on bbc.com
• Tell stories in the most appropriate way to deliver our journalism to a variety of UK and, when relevant, global audiences.
• Use social media to inform and enhance BBC UK and international news coverage.
• Provide leadership and specialist understanding on editorial matters for the rest of BBC News, as appropriate, influencing the BBC’s UK and Global News agenda.
• Develop a wide range of contacts and contributors across Technology stories
• Keep abreast of and advise editorial and production staff in the US and UK on developments in Technology
• Analyse and place events in context and maintain an overview of complex situations.
• Ensure that BBC’s output reflects the audiences we serve, with a particular attention to diversity.
• At all times carry out duties in accordance with BBC health and safety policy, completing risk assessments.

Are you the right candidate?

Candidates will need to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of Technology news. You will have well developed online reporting skills – writing news stories, in depth analysis and breaking news lines and adding context on livepages on rolling stories. You will be able to bring stories to life on camera with an authentic on screen presence, appealing to a wide range of audiences. Other key skills and experience:

• A high level of editorial awareness and judgment demonstrated by a strong journalistic record.
• Proven written and broadcast skills with the ability to deliver reports with assurance from location or the newsroom/studio – for online – news stories and livepages, radio and TV.
• Able to present and explain complex information and ideas in an accessible manner, adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
• You will be a self starter who can confidently establish yourself as the BBC’s technology correspondent working closely with the Technology VJ in San Francisco – and with your wider team in New York and the UK.
• An excellent understanding of the key priorities for BBC News – in terms of delivering our journalism digital for online audiences first and foremost, as well as being a confident reporter on TV and radio
• Able to develop in-depth knowledge of a particular subject and use that knowledge to offer insight and perspective.
• Able to build and maintain strong working relationships with a range of people, working with others as part of a team and developing effective relationships outside the BBC.
• Demonstrate a commitment to improving the diversity of the BBC’s coverage, representing all audiences and all points of view.
• Able to prioritise and plan activities taking into account all relevant factors such as deadlines and resource requirements.
• The flexibility and adaptability to provide high quality journalism, particularly under pressure to meet deadlines and changing priorities and circumstances.
• Follow BBC safety requirements and instructions, especially in relation to emergencies; report any accidents, dangerous situations or defects in safety arrangements.

Package Description

Contract: This employment is offered on an “at will” basis with an anticipated duration of 24 months

Salary range

Full-time staff job with benefits including healthcare, paid leave and a retirement savings plan.

Base: San Francisco

Pay range: $105,000 to 115,000

Any offer of employment with the BBC will be conditional upon you having the right to live and work in the US (US citizenship, permanent residency or work authorisation)