Production Finance Apprentice

Production Finance Apprentice

THE C4 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME

If you are looking for an opportunity to gain work experience and a qualification, then an apprenticeship at Channel 4 might be for you. Our Apprenticeships are full-time, with four days per week spent working in a C4 department and one day per week completing the formal learning parts of the apprenticeship. You’ll spend 60% of your working week in your office base and 40% working from home.

The formal training provided will consist of workshops, tutorials, webinars, coaching and in some cases residential boot camps. You can read more about the qualification being offered for this apprenticeship below. If you’d like some tips on writing your application before you apply, please watch our YouTube video, How to Write an Outstanding Application.

The programme aims to offer opportunities to those currently underrepresented in the TV industry, so we are particularly keen to hear from Deaf and/or disabled people, ethnically diverse people and people from lower socio-economic groups.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

• You must be 18 years old or over at the time the scheme starts to apply. There is no upper age limit.
• You’ll need to have a Grade C (4) or above in Maths & English GCSE
• You can’t have already completed the qualification being offered or similar at the same or higher level
• Our apprenticeships are aimed at school leavers and people who do not have a degree. If you have a degree, please visit the Channel 4 Jobs website

CHANNEL 4 BEHAVIOURS

At Channel 4, we have four core behaviours that underpin everything we do. These are outlined below, and we will be assessing candidates on these behaviours throughout the recruitment process.

• Include – We’re Altogether Different so let’s give each other a bear hug, team up and trust each other to collaborate arm-in-arm. Don’t just listen: listen to understand.
• Innovate – Don’t just rinse and repeat: don’t just go through the motions. Challenge positive and embrace change. Experiment & take smart risks.
• Grow – Question everything and school yourself. Be generous with your knowledge with others and seek feedback from them. Be clear with your objectives.
• Get it done – Make your time at Channel 4 count. Be a solution-finder, not a finger-pointer. Prioritise, decide and then act – always commercially.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Commercial Affairs is responsible for the financial, legal and business aspects of programme making and is tasked with negotiating all contractual, financial and other deal terms between Channel 4 and programme suppliers, in particular independent companies who make programmes on Channel 4’s behalf.

The commissioning teams are supported by Legal and Business Affairs Managers and Production Finance Managers who work with commissioning editors to agree the editorial, financial and contractual details of each project and to manage the business issues arising.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

• Preparation of agendas and meeting minutes for Business Approval Board and Programme Finance Committee.
• Coding and undertaking necessary checks to process invoices.
• Preparation and analysis of spend-to-date reports.
• Maintenance of some departmental spreadsheets.
• Creating Journals for error correction within the team and sending them on to the relevant management accountant.
• General admin and team support to include diary management, meeting organisation, and organisation of away day activities.
• Running transactional reports from Business Objects (reporting system) and carrying out ad-hoc reconciliations and analysis.
• Assisting the Controller of Production Finance with the management of the Creative Diversity department budget.
• Ensure that all essential information is electronically filed and easily accessible across the Production Finance team;
• Support the production finance team with other duties as required by the role.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Verbal and written communication skills – Verbal – e.g. experience of dealing with customers or working as part of a team. Communication – e.g. writing emails, completing an application form or essay, or if you have a hobby that involves creative writing.
• Attention to detail – e.g., cashing up on tills or proofreading coursework.
• Organisation skills and ability to prioritise tasks – e.g. Planning events whether personal or for professional purposes, as well as managing work life balance, for example working whilst doing coursework/exams.
• An understanding of and a passion for Channel 4's remit
• Confirm you have Maths & English GCSE Grade C (4) or above
• Numerate and confident dealing with figures
• Highly diligent, organised, and self-motivated
• Computer literacy with experience of using Excel and MS Power-point

QUALIFICATION OFFERED WITH THIS APPRENTICESHIP

AAT Level 2

LENGTH OF APPRENTICESHIP

15 months

ALTERNATIVE APPLICATION FORMATS

We are committed to making the application process accessible. If you would like to discuss suggestions for alternative formats, or have any questions about the recruitment process in general, please contact us at apprenticeships@channel4.co.ukTake a look at our access page for more information, which you’ll find by clicking here. You can also watch our YouTube video, Demystifying Interview and Workplace adjustments.

RELOCATION

If you need to relocate in order to take up this opportunity, we can offer you support towards the financial costs of moving. This includes a contribution towards your deposit and first months’ rent, plus visits to your new city to look for accommodation.

Basic salary per annum starting from

£26,742.00

Application questions to complete

• Referring to the essential criteria listed on the job description (which are all skills and experiences we deem important to thrive as a C4 apprentice), please use examples to demonstrate how you meet these (feel free to draw on academic, personal and professional experiences). (500 words max)
• Can you share with us what representation and inclusion mean to you personally, and why you think they’re important? (300 words max)
• Please share a list of your current qualifications, including those you expect to obtain before the January 2025 start of this apprenticeship. We require this information to ensure your eligibility for the apprenticeship you are applying for.
• Can you describe a situation where you worked with numbers? How did you ensure you were accurate with your work? (300 words max)
• Can you tell us when you have had to meet a deadline and had conflicting priorities to deal with? How did you organise your time to ensure you completed everything you needed to? (300 words max)
• Sum yourself up in a tweet (280 characters)

Benefits

• 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

02 Jan 2026

Equal Opportunities

Channel 4’s purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK.We are only able to deliver on this remit by having a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background and lived experience. As an employer we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Disability Confident Scheme:

Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and has also maintained the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension's Disability Confident scheme - Level 3: Leader. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, we aim to offer an interview to all candidates who have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and who meet the essential criteria for an advertised job. If you wish your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please select yes when completing the application questions. For more information, please visit the Disability Confident Campaign website.For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.

Care Leaver Friendly Employer:

Channel 4 is a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. By signing the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopting its principles, we are supporting an immensely talented yet often under-served and under-represented community of young people/ adults. We commit to offering an interview (and constructive feedback) to applicants who identify as care experienced and meet the essential criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. Applicants should indicate if they wish to apply under our Care Leaver Scheme by selecting the option on the application form.For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.

Workplace Adjustments:

We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field when applying for a job and support whilst employed to perform to the best of their ability and develop their careers. If you have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and require any adjustments, additional support or alternative arrangements during the recruitment and wish to discuss this confidentially, please let us know via the following e-mail recruitment@channel4.co.uk

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.