Head of Editorial Video & Audio, FT Specialist

About Us

The FT has an uncompromising mission: delivering independent, quality information, news and services to individuals and companies around the globe. It’s the cornerstone of our reputation and the heart of our ambitions for the future. But for our people, the FT offers so much more than what we do. FT people come from all kinds of backgrounds and work across a huge range of disciplines and locations, and find an empowering, warm and welcoming culture that values curiosity and rewards inquisitive, ambitious thinking. Those who are willing to unite around our mission and live our values will find plenty to challenge, inspire and interest them. Like the audiences we serve, no two FT people are the same; but together we help our audience be better informed and understand the world around them. It’s a job that’s never mattered more, and a career that can take you anywhere you want to go.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace

At the FT, we give all employees a voice so that diverse perspectives are heard and valued. We believe that a supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves at work. We'll continue to remove barriers for all, and in particular barriers facing employees from underrepresented groups.

The Role / Position Overview

FT Specialist (Europe) is seeking a Head of Video & Audio to drive the creation and distribution of high-quality, engaging editorial videos and podcasts for its nine brands, including Investors’ Chronicle, The Banker and FT Adviser.

At a time when professional audiences are starting to demand more multi-modal content, FT Specialist needs to evolve its current output to reflect the needs of time-poor senior professionals in mainly financial institutions. 

Reporting to the Editorial Director, the newly-created Head of Video and Audio will spearhead this exciting development.

The ideal candidate will have experience of producing accomplished editorial videos in a variety of formats - from documentaries to panel shows, masterclasses, and explainers - as well as engrossing podcasts. 

• They will be as comfortable operating ‘on the road’ (at live events and other venues in the UK and abroad) as they are in the studio.
• They will be cognisant of the latest AI tools and what we can deploy to improve the quality of our output and our effectiveness. 
• And they will be able to help editors effectively distribute those shows on different platforms and using analytics to hone the output over time.

In addition, the ideal candidate will have experience of leading a small team of shooters and editors - both full-time and freelance - and helping them to maximise their potential. 

Equally, they will be able to build good relationships with the editors and journalists who script and present our shows, coaching them to improve their levels of performance where necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for all video and audio produced by FT Specialist (Europe)’s editorial team
• Management of a two-strong team of shooters and editors (plus a network of freelancers)
• Management of the freelance budget
• Management of the production schedule 
• Delivery of agreed levels of output - video & audio
• Delivery of agreed ‘key results’ - for example, number of views/listens; ‘quality views’ for video (ie % watching at least 50% of a film)
• Working with the group editorial director, the group managing editor, and individual editors to evolve the quality and effectiveness of the output, using both analytics and professional experience & know-how
• Developing the capabilities of the video & audio team in shooting & editing, as well as journalists/editors as scriptwriters and presenters
• Understanding the audiences we serve and their need for video & audio to help them make smarter decisions and develop their career
• Understanding how competitors and other media owners are using video & audio to improve their content and harnessing the latest best-practice - including the use of AI tools

Required Skills / Experience 

Technical skills

• Skilled videographer, editor and producer
• Skilled producer of podcasts
• Expertise in the latest editing software, for example Adobe Premier Pro and Vimeo
• Able to work in wide variety of settings from on-location filming (in the UK and abroad) to working in a studio
• Experience with graphics
• Experience at filming live events
• Ability to work with journalists, producers and other collaborators to ideate new shows and formats for video and podcasts
• Able to deliver a quick turnaround between filming and editing
• A capable director able to work with and, where necessary, coach on-screen talent and floor manage where necessary
• Expertise in distributing videos and podcasts online, in newsletters and on social media, for example producing engaging thumbnails and social cuts
• Has good working knowledge of different approaches and can source production talent externally if necessary. 

Leadership and personal skills

• Able to lead, motivate and develop a team of two producer/editors with individual areas of expertise.
• Able to communicate with senior team members
• Cope with an environment that is sometimes high pressure
• Have strong administration and scheduling skills - including the ability to adjust where necessary

Please include an online portfolio / video showreel of your work as part of your application. 

What’s in it for you? Our Benefits

Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced paternal leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here.

Further Information

The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We have implemented a hybrid working model and we also promote flexible working and will consider specific requests around flexibility for all roles where it can be accommodated. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, please send an email to talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.