Senior Journalist, Investigations Unit

Position description

Job Title: Senior Journalist – Dispatches Investigations Unit

Reports to: Investigations Editor, Dispatches Investigation Unit and Commissioning Editor, Dispatches

Department: Commissioning – News and Current Affairs

Location: London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol or Glasgow

Department Description

Channel 4’s current affairs department is known for its multi award-winning films that have investigative and revelatory journalism at their heart.

The department is responsible for commissioning a wide range of current affairs programmes, including Channel Four News, Dispatches, Unreported World, Untold, major current affairs documentaries, studio programmes and series.

The dedicated Investigations Unit is unique in British television. Set up three years ago, it pursues original investigative journalism to generate the highest profile Dispatches programmes that are made by independent producers. It is at the core of the remit-defining, noisy and bold investigations for which Dispatches and the wider current affairs department has won both headlines and major awards.

The investigations unit has already made waves by being behind high impact programmes including Russell Brand: In Plain Sight and The King, The Prince & Their Secret Millions

Job Purpose
 

• As a senior journalist in Channel 4’s Dispatches Investigation Unit you will be at the heart of this award-winning team. You will lead on significant investigations supporting sources, briefing lawyers and updating senior leadership in Channel 4.
• You will have the opportunity to develop your own original stories into hard-hitting national television working with the country’s most talented current affairs directors and production companies.
• You will work alongside the Investigations Editor and the two other team members in a supportive environment that is focused on delivering in depth, rigorous and high-quality journalism.
• You will be involved in promoting the investigations unit’s work on TV, Radio and in print.
   

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Originate, develop and research investigative and revelatory stories that can form the basis of films for Dispatches, Untold and the wider current affairs output.
• Manage complex and sensitive investigations ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.
• Deploy a wide range of investigative tools including AI, FOIs, OSINT and data journalism to create an evidence base for the revelatory and stand out journalism that should be at the heart of each Dispatches investigation.
• Initiate, develop, and manage positive, creative relationships with a wide range of contacts and potential partnership organisations.
• Play a role in determining how Channel Four’s output reflects Britain and the world
• Be brave; pursue investigations no other channel would.
   

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

Technical & Professional Skills
 

• A proven track record of leading significant and impactful journalistic investigations either for print or broadcast. TV experience is not essential.
• A proven track record of handling and building trust with a wide range of highly sensitive sources. 
• A proven track record in current affairs journalism at a senior level, with proven ability to work autonomously.
• A proven track record of promoting high profile investigations across all media by highlighting the findings of the investigation.
• Demonstrable experience of navigating through complex legal and editorial issues providing briefs as required to senior lawyers and editors.
• Demonstrable experience of the technical side of long-term investigations, including overt and covert recording, doorstep approaches and legal/regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrable experience of deploying modern investigative research techniques including AI, FOI, OSINT and data journalism.
• Demonstrable experience of resilience in the face of challenging and sensitive investigations.
• Demonstrable experience in or an interest in ideas and investigations focussed on younger viewers.
• An understanding of multi-platform journalism
• Demonstrable understanding of the need, and a desire, to champion diversity 
• Good relationships and contacts within UK journalism and current affairs.
• The ability to work effectively across several different investigations at any one time.
• Exceptional personal integrity and insight into the Channel 4 brand and values in relation to the programme genre
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to work inclusively and embrace teamwork.
   

Basic salary per annum starting from £70,438.00

Application questions to complete 

Please remember to complete the additional application questions by uploading a Word or PDF attachment. These questions really help us get to know you better and we won’t be able to consider your application without them.
 

• Please outline how you meet the ‘Essential Experience & Skills’ outlined in the Job Description (Max 500 words)
   

Benefits There are a million reasons why it’s great to work at Channel 4, here are just a few of the perks for you;
 

• Private medical insurance
• Free Virtual GP access for employees
• Free Female Health hormone test each year
• Free Tastecard membership
• Financial guidance 1-2-1’s available each quarter
• Discounted Gym memberships
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Holiday Purchase
   

Hybrid working From September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week.

Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days. Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. All our offices are open five days a week.

Applications Close Date 29 Aug 2025
 

Application instructions

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