BBC1's flagship daytime antiques series Bargain Hunt has been one of the nation's favourite TV shows for almost 25 years, regularly attracting up to 2 million viewers. Working from their base in Cardiff, the production team makes 96 new episodes of the programme each year, including specials, filming with presenters, experts and contributors at antiques fairs and auctions across the UK.


We are now looking for a talented Junior Director to join the team. As a developmental opportunity aimed at candidates wishing to move into their first Director position, this role will be particularly suited to experienced TV Researchers or Assistant Producers with substantial experience of working on fast turnaround factual productions, who are looking to take the next step in their career.


With the support of the senior team, the Junior Director will be responsible for scripting and directing episodes within a series and taking them through the edit at our post-production facility. You will work closely with the Series Producer and Series Editor to make several programmes simultaneously. You must be able to demonstrate creative visual flair and will already have some experience of scripting and directing simple sequences for television and spending time in the edit.


This is a Cardiff based role as both the production team and our edits are based here. Directors are required to work in our office for several days each week, as well as filming on location around the UK for 2-3 days at a time. Applicants will therefore need to be based a commutable distance from Cardiff.


Key Responsibilities


Supported by the Series Producer and Series Editor your will learn to:



Be the key creative responsible for the visual look and feel of several episodes.
Help develop the programme from the commissioned proposal into full production, ensuring that it achieves its stated aims across all platforms.
Understand narrative and be able to create entertaining and factually accurate scripts and direct crew to achieve your vision.
Understand how to use appropriate tools - cameras, filming techniques, archive etc to realise the editorial visions.
understand the roles and accountabilities of all team members and will direct them accordingly.
Motivate a directorial, research and production management team, ensuring that the vision for the series is communicated and understood. You will inspire the directorial and wider production team to realise this vision by providing a strong sense of direction and a supportive environment in which to work.
Work within financial constraints so as to be accountable for the construction of a full production schedule.
Be responsible for the choice, negotiation, control and co-ordination of required production facilities, technical resources and staff, to ensure that they possess appropriate qualifications, experience and safety expertise.
Work in conjunction with the senior editorial staff to ensure all scripts are finalised.
Ensure that on-screen content reflects the diversity of British society, and that ethnic and other groups are portrayed appropriately, in line with BBC Producer Guidelines.
Be responsible for the delivery to the Executive Producer of the finished programme within all BBC editorial guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience


Substantial experience as a researcher or assistant producer in factual television production, dealing with on-screen talent and contributors on busy location filming days.
Able to demonstrate creative visual flair and you will have some experience of directing simple sequences for television.
An understanding of how TV programmes are edited and ideally, some experience in the edit.
Strong writing skills and the ability to originate creative programme ideas
Ability to locate and clear suitable archive to enhance the programme
Knowledge of the BBC's output, that of its competitors and the specific needs of our audience.
Good editorial judgement and knowledge of BBC editorial and legal guidelines.
A good understanding of our audiences to ensure we accurately reflect all under-represented communities.
Be a role model for the BBC values & have knowledge and understanding of BBC and external policy and guidelines.