Senior Questions and Casting Researcher – University Challenge

Job title:

Senior Questions and Casting Researcher – University Challenge

Company:

ITV

Job description

Senior Questions and Casting Researcher(subject to commission)Lifted EntertainmentUniversity ChallengeFreelance ContractMedia City , Manchester UKStart date: 2nd September 2024Your work matters to millions.Shaping culture is in the DNA of ITV. So, it’s not surprising that you’ll find us in every home in the UK, our productions are famous all over the world and we’re at the forefront of the digital streaming revolution.When you join us, you enter a fun working environment. With opportunities to learn, to grow and make a real difference. Small enough that your impact’s felt in the business, but big enough that your impact reaches millions of people.Come develop your skills, change TV and the course of your career. Don’t just watch it. Be part of it. Join ITV.This opportunity particularly welcomes applications from People of Colour, Deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent people.Your impact sends ripples.The teamLifted Entertainment is home to some of the biggest TV shows in the world.From live shows such as Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, to talent shows like The Voice UK, quizzes such as University Challenge and reality formats including Love Island. There isn’t an unscripted genre we do not produce!Our people are everything and they are the ones who work with us to create award-winning, fun – and funny – entertainment shows.The roleIn this role you will support the Questions and Casting teams to deliver brilliant questions and contestants relevant to University Challenge.The responsibilities for the role are:

• Writing an agreed volume of original question material to a high standard of clarity, originality and accuracy, with particular (but not exclusive) focus on producing picture and music rounds. This will include the production of effective ‘mock-up’ question graphics and rough cuts of music clips.
• Presenting work for review in group meetings with senior editorial staff.
• Supporting junior team members by providing constructive feedback on work presented
• Incorporating feedback and edit requests from the Questions Producer/Series Producer/Question Verifiers promptly and thoroughly.
• Keeping accurate records of third-party material used in own questions, i.e. image and music files, including source and attribution and monitoring the overall series log of third-party material used in questions, and ensuring it is complete and accurate.
• Monitoring the overall series log of third-party material used in questions, and ensuring it is complete and accurate
• Identifying and noting third-party copyrights entailed in own questions; raising these issues promptly and clearly with the Series Producer and Production Manager; and taking action as guided to secure necessary permissions.
• Monitoring the overall series log of required material clearances, and ensuring it is complete and accurate.
• Dealing with routine queries about image and music clearance from junior team members.
• Supporting the Questions Producer as required in: Proofreading question material for spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors/ Some fact-checking of question material/ Reviewing each match’s question stack for duplicate content.
• Preparing studio paperwork, e.g. question print-outs, contestant seating plans, etc., and taking responsibility for distributing it in studio.
• Supporting the SP in implementing processes relating to contestant welfare and duty of care, including carrying out background checks on applicants.
• Attending contestant auditions with the SP and QP, and providing input into the casting process.
• Liaising with successful teams and contestants in the lead-up to recording, establishing yourself as a point of contact and support, disseminating documentation and gathering necessary information, and dealing with queries and concerns.
• During studio recordings, chaperoning teams through the recording process, including working with the Production Coordinator to manage movement, and providing support to contestants (including delivering gameplay briefings, and sharing responsibility with the SP and PM for making sure any reasonable adjustments or personalisations have been implemented).

Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria) * At least 3 credits as an experienced Researcher.

• Fluent, accurate and clear writing with a proven ability to write questions relevant to University Challenge with flair and creativity.
• Good grasp of the programme’s format, style and typical question content. (This will be tested during the recruitment process).
• Good general knowledge and enthusiasm for learning new things. Please evidence this in your CV.
• Demonstrable thorough and careful research. Please evidence this in your Cv.
• Proven and significant experience of writing in a business / professional capacity (paid work).
• Proven ability to communicate advice and criticism clearly and fairly to colleagues or collaborators.
• Demonstrable self motivation with the good organisational skills for a television programme in a studio or on location. Please provide evidence in your application.
• Proven experience of taking responsibility for updating and managing information databases on a TV production.
• Confident grasp and experience of the legal issues involved in reproducing third-party content in television programmes.
• Experience of thorough, accurate proofreading and careful fact checking (paid work).
• Proven understanding of current standards and processes regarding contributor welfare in the television industry.
• Proven experience in conducting contributor background checks
• Demonstrable experience of working directly with contributors either on location or in a studio environment, please provide evidence in your application.

Other things we’re looking for (key criteria) * Ability to present and discuss work clearly and confidently with attention to detail, and to engage with feedback.

• Ideas-driven with a creative approach to delivering editorial content.
• Organised and deadline-focused approach to managing workload.
• Enthusiasm and resilience, with the ability to maintain performance levels in the face of changing priorities and workload, and challenging situations.
• Proactive in building working relationships and a network of contacts to aid programme research.
• Familiarity with presentation software (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint or equivalent).
• Familiarity with basic music and image editing software.

ITV is for everyone.ITV strongly encourages applications for this role from disabled people. As a Disability Confident Leader, if you meet the minimum criteria for a role and you have declared that you are disabled, we’ll guarantee to take you to the next stage* (minimum criteria above).We’re happy to discuss any support/personalisation you may need during our application and selection process as part of our reasonable adjustments. Drop us a line if you require anything at .about applying with a disability.

• There may be a few exceptions where we are not able to take all eligible candidates to the next stage due to the volume of applications.

Closing date: Sunday 28th July 2024*Please note, on occasion we may receive a very large volume of applications which means applications for a role may close earlier than the referenced closing date. We’d encourage you to apply as soon as possible if interested.

Expected salary

Location

Manchester

Job date

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 02:17:46 GMT

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