Question Time is looking for a new Editor. This is a rare opportunity to lead BBC One’s premier political debate programme.
In the last year Question Time was at the heart of the BBC’s coverage of the general election. We also produced special programmes on the US election and the war in Ukraine. As Editor, you’ll oversee every aspect of the programme. You’ll be responsible for rising to the challenge we face on a weekly basis - how to react to stories in a distinctive way and make programmes with real impact.
The programme is unique in its mix of decision-makers, prominent politicians, public figures and members of the public. Deciding on the right mix each week is a key job of the Editor, in conjunction with a small team of producers and researchers. To succeed, you’ll need significant experience at a senior level in topical/current affairs broadcasting or journalism. You should also have a track record of leading successful teams.
As one of the BBC’s highest profile current affairs brands, Question Time attracts millions of viewers, many of whom only occasionally dip into politics. It’s important that you have a strategy for building on that mass audience, reaching new viewers and creating moments of television that the nation wants to talk about.
For information:
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Question Time is produced by Mentorn Scotland. The role requires flexibility as the Editor’s time is split between our Glasgow office and locations around the country.
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If you’d like to know more about the role, contact recruitment@mentorn.tv
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To apply: please send a statement (up to 1000 words) on the challenges for the programme over the next two years and how you would meet that challenge. And also your cv. Send both to recruitment@mentorn.tv by Friday 16th May 2025. Interviews will take place in Glasgow.
At Mentorn, we value diversity and actively encourage applicants from a wide range of diverse backgrounds.
Job Description
The Role:
The Editor oversees every aspect of Question Time - and, in particular, its unique mix of decision makers, prominent politicians, public figures and members of the public. Along with a small production team, the editor ensures that the programme makes a real impact and reacts to stories in a distinctive way - as well as reaching new viewers and creating moments of television that the nation wants to talk about.
Key Responsibilities:
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Responsible for selecting each week’s panel and overseeing all other aspect of the programme.
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Lead a small team producers and researchers, who between them book panellists and write briefs,or focus on booking audiences.
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Work with Mentorn’s executive producer and BBC’s executive editor to make outstanding and creative programmes that embody BBC values.
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Form a strategy to build on Question Time’s already significant audience - to win new viewers and create moments of television drama that the nation wants to talk about.
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Consider ways to adjust the programme’s format successfully - without diminishing its simplicity and effectiveness.
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Develop plans to build on Question Time’s strong engagement with audiences through social media, as well as a vision for how the programme can grow our digital offer.
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Liaise with a range of stakeholders within the BBC, Mentorn and also external stakeholders to devise special projects, oversee and deliver them successfully.
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Oversee the programme’s relationships with political parties and others, provides visible leadership, and acts as an ambassador for the programme.
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Responsible for outputting the programme each week.
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Respond to complaints, working together with Mentorn and BBC Executive Producers. Skills, Knowledge & Experience
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Strong news judgement is key, developed through significant experience at a senior level in journalism or topical/current affairs broadcasting.
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Demonstrates ability to cast eye-catching combinations of politicians and non-politicians.
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Excellent grasp of politics, ideas for new and surprising panellists and an eye for the kind of question that captures the essence of a debate.
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Robust in dealing with political pressure from all sides, and a demonstrable commitment to impartiality.
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Experience of working effectively with high profile presenters.
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Effective manager:
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- Track record of leading successful teams
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- Gets the best out of each team member, identifying issues when they arise and working collaboratively to resolve them.
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- Evidence of building strong and diverse teams and identifying new off-screen talent.
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Effective communicator, both internally and externally.
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Flair for programme making, make distinctive programmes with impact.
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Experienced in running a gallery on live programmes.
The Editor will need to work flexibly and split the working week between the Glasgow office and travel around the country.
More about Mentorn Media
Mentorn Media is one of the longest established and most trusted providers of television content in the UK. Since 1985, Mentorn has made thousands of hours for broadcasters, both in the UK and worldwide from two main production hubs, in London & Glasgow. It is part of Tinopolis Group - an international TV production and distribution powerhouse with businesses based in the UK and US. The Group has multiple content production companies across all genres - from big scale entertainment and award-winning factual to critically acclaimed drama and ground-breaking live sports coverage.