Early Presenter

We are looking for an Early Presenter to join our broadcast and digital news team at ITV News Tyne Tees and Border. 

You will be based at our main studio in Gateshead.

• 6-month FTC | Full-time
• Office location: Gateshead (This is an office based role unsuitable for hybrid working).
• Hiring range: £36,344 - £48,814.

The team

Our ITV News teams deliver high quality, trustworthy and impartial journalism to millions of people on television and online. It’s a fast moving environment with a huge variety of roles on offer and plenty of challenges. We operate from production centres across the UK and Channel Islands. We also have a Political Unit based in the heart of Westminster and produce a range of current affairs & factual programming at ITV Wales, UTV and ITV Border.

The role

As Early Presenter you are the face of regional news bulletins within ITV’s breakfast programme. You may be asked to present other news output too. As well as being presenter of the morning bulletins you will work alongside colleagues, writing scripts, editing content, making check calls, uploading stories onto digital platforms and setting up stories. You may also be required to film or report and provide support to the Newsdesk as required.

As our Early Presenter, you will be an accomplished live performer with a clear broadcast voice, an authoritative yet warm on-screen presence and an approachable style and manner both on and off screen. You will have proven experience as a journalist and be able to write for TV and online with equal brilliance.

An essential part of your role will be contributing to our digital content. You will be expected to come up with ideas on how to improve and develop our digital coverage as well as help with the input of text and video material, blogs, special features, extended coverage of stories, and other information. You will liaise closely with the Programme & Digital Editor to ensure coverage is always as exciting, current and comprehensive as possible.

The Early Presenter is the last check for potential Compliance, Legal and ITV Trust breaches, so a thorough knowledge of policy in these areas is essential.

We're looking for a person who will help ensure our coverage is as representative of the people and backgrounds of all those who live here as possible.

Key Responsibilities:

• To deliver output, from the studio or live on-location, to a high standard, ensuring that the output is presented in the most engaging, informative and entertaining way possible
• To maintain and take responsibility for the highest standards of editorial accuracy, checking scripts to make sure that content complies with Compliance, Legal, and ITV Trust requirements
• To carry out morning check calls and provide the Newsdesk with a morning summary of breaking stories and local media news headlines
• To ensure the digital service is provided with contacts and diary items on a regular basis
• To exercise excellent editorial judgement and provide editorial guidance to colleagues with less experience
• To help define the look and feel of the news service online as well as on screen, participating in and contributing to production and planning meetings and providing editorial guidance and support to the rest of the news team
• To be actively involved in all stages of production, participating in the prospects, planning, treatment, programme meetings where possible
• To find and develop original story ideas and maximise the impact and relevance onscreen with all the skills and technology available
• To be pro-active about diversity, equity & inclusion ensuring the output reflects news stories and issues across the audience spectrum
• To react swiftly and effectively to breaking news stories
• To keep up-to-date with local, regional, and national news and current affairs as well as with developments across the ITV news network
• To make, maintain and nurture a wide range of relevant contacts
• To represent ITV at organised events and with the general public as required
• To maintain and update newsroom planning files by ensuring key information from contacts, press releases and agency copy or viewers’ calls is entered on the newsroom system
• To ensure on-screen and off-screen appearance meets the company’s standards at all times
• To research and package high quality news and features for bulletins and the main programme as required, where appropriate and time allows
• To embrace the full suite of newsroom technology, including edit, self-prompting, graphics & digital, adhering to workflow as required (following appropriate training)
• To consistently generate original and creative ideas, contributing to the news agenda of the day, on-screen and online
• To research and develop story ideas thoroughly and creatively for on-air and online output
• To write scripts that are accurate, concise and engaging
• To be proactive in encouraging interaction with the audience
• To promote and sustain a multi-skilled approach to news journalism
• Some Early Presenters will stand in (on request) for members of the presentation team to read bulletins or present the main programme when presenters are absent.

Your showreel will be assessed as part of the interview process - it should demonstrate:

• Accomplished live performance
• The ability to dress professionally
• A clear microphone voice
• The ability to deliver the script or interview with a style and tone which is both authoritative and approachable
• Confident and clear communication skills.

Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria)

• Fully qualified NCTJ, BJTC or equivalent experience
• The ability to generate, research and develop original, impactful and distinctive ideas, taking a creative approach to story-telling, treatments and production to deliver high quality reports for both on-air and online
• Strong and creative writing skills (accurate spelling and grammar essential)
• A strong knowledge of media law & compliance and the ability to exercise excellent editorial judgement
• The ability to prioritise work accurately within tight deadlines whilst responding effectively under pressure to changing running orders.