This role is responsible for identifying and developing opportunities to grow a commercially successful content pipeline for the BBC Worldwide Factual Entertainment, Entertainment and Formats business. As well as leading on securing IP and creating investment opportunities, this role will innovate around new content partnerships delivering funding models to support the creative ambition required to support BBCW’s role as a premium content company. The Commercial Director will also work closely with BBCW’s production partners to ensure they develop a close and effective working relationship with BBCW.
Accountabilities
Assist the Genre Director in developing a strategy for the Factual Entertainment, Entertainment & Formats portfolios that ensures the strongest possible content pipeline to maximise commercial potential and growth opportunities.
Lead on innovation across the genres - conceive future-facing initiatives over and above ‘business as usual’ that anticipate changes in the content market.
Drive new business development to secure market leading premium content in Factual entertainment, Entertainment and Formats.
Deliver excellence, sophistication and innovation in funding and deal making, enabling BBCW to grow its commercial returns from Factual Entertainment, Entertainment and Format content.
Develop strategic relationships with BBC Studios and BBCW’s independent production partners, providing expertise and leadership in delivering commercial success for BBCW and producers.
Lead, negotiate, and approve deal terms for key partnerships and deals ensuring the right level of investment and rights, terms and deliverables are secured with content providers to the benefit of related business areas.
Oversee the preparation and submission of content investment proposals to BBCW approval boards including the Content Investment Group (CIG) and the Worldwide Executive Committee (WEx).
Manage the genre development funds. Working with Creative Director, Formats and Genre Director, Factual Entertainment, Entertainment & Formats to identify and evaluate new development opportunities.
Proactively seek out new creative and commercial partnerships and ensure BBC Worldwide is the partner of choice for new and established production companies working in these genres.
Work closely with Entertainment and Factual Entertainment teams in BBC Studios, developing collaborative commercial strategies that recognise the breadth and depth of the BBCW/BBC Studios partnership.
Establish and develop close relationships with BBCW’s independent production partners. Deliver commercial success for BBCW and production partners.
Work closely with senior leaders of all BBC Worldwide’s international production partners using influence and personal impact to improve results for BBCW and production partners.
Be a constant source of knowledge and expertise about key players and competitors in these genres, trends and audience behaviours in UK and globally.
Interpret sales returns and review return on investment feedback advising on adaptations to strategy in response to market changes.
Work closely with senior representatives of regional teams to ensure that Factual Entertainment, Entertainment & Format strategies are aligned with regional objectives and opportunities.
Keep abreast of new technology and the impact in both cost and revenue for Factual Entertainment, Entertainment & Formats and explore opportunities and deal with challenges of convergence.
Ensure that digital opportunities are fully understood; explore new funding models for distribution and exploitation of long and short form content.
Lead on the creation and development of mid to long term content investment strategy for Factual Entertainment, Entertainment & Formats.
Scope & Impact
Works with the senior management team in Content and globally across BBC Worldwide to develop innovative strategies that will gear-change the business in the Factual Entertainment, Entertainment & Format genres.
Contributes to major innovations that change and grow the business against a backdrop of an ever-changing content market.
Provides leadership and direction for the Commercial Teams for Factual entertainment, Entertainment &Formats
Strategic Planning & Decision Making
With the support of the Genre Director, this role will play a key part in the development and management of commercial strategy across the portfolio of Factual Entertainment, Entertainment & Format genres. This role leads and delivers complex deals and projects.
Relationships
BBCWW regions
BBC Studios
Independent Producers
Global Commercial Director, Production and Formats
BBC Commissioning/Commercial Management (incl. rights)
Commercial Partners
Business and legal Affairs
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Commercially creative – able to think beyond ‘business as usual’ and deliver game-changing innovations
Ability to spot and shape content for commercial, international and brand potential
Impeccable financial and commercial skills with demonstrable commercial acumen
Understands needs of international acquisitions and markets
Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills
Strong communication and negotiation skills - able to represent the business at the highest levels
Proven ability to organise and manage a heavy workload and juggle priorities effectively
Effectively influences and persuades and collaborates at all levels
Ability to act decisively and see projects through from inception to completion, problem solve, and multi-task under time constraints and cross divisional pressures
Ability to deal with ambiguity and collaborate across boundaries
Report writing for senior / board level audience
Leadership
Strategic thinking
Communication and presentation skills
Leadership Behaviours
The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the following:
A passion for the genres
A collaborative approach able to manage a complex matrix of stakeholders
The ability to negotiate desired outcomes with peers and partners whilst maintaining close working relationship with individuals at all levels
Global mind-set: thinking and acting for both local and global needs
Change leadership: ability to inoculate new ways of working across the BBC Group
Energising leader with a win:win mentality
Determined and driven
Clear strategic vision that sees beyond the day-to-day
Resilience - ability to listen and respond and hold the course
Ability to influence
Accountability/Making tough decisions
Creating shared understanding (being transparent)
Professional credibility
Professional Experience
Track record in great deal-making
Demonstrable creativity and innovation that has set new trends
Senior leader who has made tough decisions
Excellent track record in delivering high profile projects and leading/supporting complex negotiations and representing the business at all levels
A degree of creative/editorial experience or alternatively a background that has involved working with creatives to develop editorial properties
Experience in a management role is essential.
Media sector experience is essential
Experience in a global role is preferred
Send To A Friend
Subscribe to us
100% Free.
close