Job title: Junior Automation Director
Job type: Permanent / FTC
Emp type: Full-time
Industry: Broadcasters
Functional Expertise: TV/Film Production & Studio Operations
Skills: automation directing live news television broadcasting
Salary type: Annual
Salary from: GBP £45,000.00
Salary to: GBP £55,000.00
Location: Greater London, UK
Job published: 16/09/2025
Job ID: 46963

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity with a successful live news broadcaster for a Junior Automation Director to join on a permanent basis.

This is a hands-on gallery role with a clear development path, where you’ll co-direct across live and non-live output, support an experienced Automation Director, and progressively take ownership of non-primetime and overnight programming.

What you’ll do

  • Co-direct live and recorded shows in an automated environment, including specials and breaking news.

  • Prepare and manage running orders in the newsroom computer system (NCS), applying correct coding to deliver the intended programme output.

  • Operate and monitor the automation GUI, proactively scanning for workflow issues while on air.

  • Coordinate gallery line-ups, studio checks and external/remote sources before broadcast.

  • Maintain on-air quality control across audio levels, robotic camera framing, studio lighting and graphics.

  • Follow established programme formats and ensure continuity of channel style.

  • Direct non-primetime and overnight output; report workflow errors back to the newsroom.

  • Support the training and onboarding of other Junior Automation Directors.

  • Adhere to H&S standards and operational protocols; escalate incidents appropriately; keep documentation and process updates current.

What you’ll bring

  • A calm, decisive gallery operator who performs under pressure in live environments.

  • A collaborative approach with editorial and operations teams; comfortable taking firm decisions during changes and breaking news.

  • A strong understanding of gallery production components: multi-camera directing, cameras, lighting, sound and graphics.

  • Experience in an automation-led gallery is desirable; hands-on experience with Viz Mosart is highly advantageous. Experience with similar systems such as Ross OverDrive or Grass Valley Ignite is also of interest.

  • Confidence working with NCS running orders, graphics and an automation GUI.

  • Awareness of world news and a passion for news broadcasting.

  • Willingness to work a rotating shift pattern, including overnights, weekends and public holidays.

  • Excellent communication, organisation and timekeeping.

  • Gallery and studio experience is essential. The ability to support foreign-language programming is a plus.

 

The company operates a 24/7 environment and this role is shift-based, including some night and weekend working. If you feel you have the skills and experience to be successful in this role, please apply now for consideration. Please note, candidates must be fully eligible to work in the UK.