Freelance deputy content editor, good morning britain

This is an exciting opportunity for a Freelance Deputy Content Editor to play a central role at Good Morning Britain, helping shape the stories that viewers wake up to. You’ll be at the heart of a programme that sets the agenda every morning delivering dynamic, punchy and engaging content that reflects the mix of hard news, politics, and human interest stories that our audience cares about most.

We’re looking for confident experienced decisive journalists who can lead from the front in a fast paced breaking news environment. You’ll be comfortable making quick editorial calls, managing teams of journalists, and working at speed while keeping a clear focus on what will cut through with a breakfast audience. We go on air at 6am every weekday and we want people who are fully committed to working unsociable hours.

Alongside Content Editors, you’ll drive the morning’s news agenda scanning the papers, wires, broadcasters and digital platforms to identify the stories everyone will be talking about. You’ll shape those stories into compelling, accessible television, whether it’s a major political interview, breaking news, or a powerful human interest story. GMB is pacey and we're looking for people who are ready to react instantly to developments as they unfold on air.

We're looking for storytellers with a deep understanding of the GMB audience and an ability to lead producers to make agenda setting eye catching TV. You will have at least 3-years experience working as a producer in live TV.

This role demands sharp news judgement, strong writing skills, and the ability to bring energy, clarity and personality to every script. You’ll help oversee key parts of the programme output, edit video, and ensure each item is produced to the highest editorial standards always with the GMB audience front of mind.

This is a freelance role and requires flexibility, including regular Sunday working, early starts and overnights in line with a live breakfast broadcast.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and develop stories for Good Morning Britain, including scanning the morning papers, news wires and online sources to spot stories that will resonate with the programme’s audience
• Come up with ideas for treatments and discussion topics on the show
• Support Content Editors in making key editorial decisions to deliver the right mix of breaking news, agenda-setting stories and lighter content across the programme
• Write scripts for the programme including headlines, lead-ins, trails, underlays and other broadcast copy, working closely with graphics teams to ensure strong visual storytelling
• Take editorial responsibility for sections of the programme, shaping content from idea to transmission
• Help lead a team of producers, delegating tasks and overseeing their work to ensure stories are delivered to time and to the highest editorial standards
• Exercise strong editorial judgement when producing stories, including decisions on news values, legal considerations, taste and decency
• Edit video to a high broadcast standard, ensuring stories are visually engaging and editorially sharp
• Occasionally step up to the role of Content Editor when required
• Work at pace in a dynamic national and international newsroom
• Ensure the programme reflects the diversity of our audience and the wider UK

These are the main requirements of the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties. It is intended to reflect the nature, range, and context of the work, which will change over time.

Key Requirements

• A creative and dynamic newsroom leader with strong organisational skills
• A calm, decisive operator able to thrive in a fast-moving live news environment
• Excellent news judgement and a strong understanding of the Good Morning Britain editorial agenda
• A strong writer with experience producing scripts for broadcast bulletins or live programmes
• Proven ability to spot strong stories quickly and develop them for television.
• Meticulous attention to detail when checking content for accuracy, compliance and style
• A strong visual sense, with the ability to identify the best use of pictures and graphics to tell a story
• Experience of video editing to broadcast standard
• Experience working in or outputting from a gallery environment
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage teams
• Excellent understanding of the value of diverse contributors and perspectives in news coverage
• Good knowledge of Ofcom regulations and the ITN compliance manual
• Awareness of Health and Safety requirements
• Understanding of the financial implications of editorial and operational decisions
• Commitment to cross-company collaboration across ITN and ITV

Our people are at the heart of everything we do at ITN. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. Reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process will be offered, if required, due to a disability or health condition. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please just let us know in your application, or at any stage throughout the process, if this is something you want to explore.