Head of Documentaries

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: SL (Senior Leader)
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent Full-time
DEPARTMENT: BBC Content
LOCATION: Flexible. We are committed to growing our commissioning footprint across the UK so that we are present in a range of bases. We would welcome applications from acorss the UK.

Were happy to discuss flexible working. If youd like to please indicate your preference in the application though theres no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

JOB PURPOSE

Working to the Director of Factual BBC Content and supporting the BBCs Value for All strategy the Head of Documentaries will be responsible for growing both new and existing documentary content brands and setting an editorial strategy that effectively drives the BBCs mission to inform educate and entertain as well as its ambitions to reach portray and represent all the UK. Youll drive the editorial objectives for documentary output building on strong relationships with internal and external key partners in order to achieve these.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

Our documentary programming is watched by millions of viewers receives international recognition and drives real change. Alongside major returning brands such as Ambulance Forensics and Sort Your Life Out we champion limited series such as Field of Dreams and powerful single films such as Louis Theroux: The Settlers. Your focus will be on bringing our audiences together through authentic homegrown storytelling. Youll play a pivotal role in championing creatives both on and off screen and in delivering distinctive public service programming that reflects life across the UK while opening up the world to our viewers. We are passionate about working with suppliers from across the UK to reflect the worlds of our audience grow our production pipeline and create new brands that thrive. Youll be passionate about evolving our content to reflect audience behaviour being proactive about how our programmes show up on our digital platforms and joining up our offer across the BBC portfolio.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Working to the Director of Factual drive the documentary commissioning strategy providing creative and collaborative leadership across the genre inspiring and enabling creativity through others and fostering an innovative approach to new content at the BBC.
• Leading a small team of high performing commissioners as well as nurturing and developing new commissioning talent.
• Collaborate with teams across the BBC to ensure strategy delivery considers a wide range of audiences platforms and commissioning opportunities in particular collaborating with and commissioning in partnership with Nations.
• Mentor and coach Commissioning Editors and nurture and develop commissioning talent.
• Act as the editorial contact for suppliers and be responsible for cultivating and managing supplier relationships in line with the documentary strategy. Ensure commissions from suppliers are based on a sound understanding of diversity cost quality rights exploitation and funding needs.
• Strong understanding of the production pipeline working with suppliers in productive collaboration to deliver projects on budget and on time for iplayer release requirements.
• Own a strong development pipeline encouraging a risk-taking and innovative approach to ideas development which delivers against the commissioning strategy and changing audience and platform requirements.
• Manage and nurture relationships in all their diversity and be aware of new emerging talent using own experience and gravitas to attract and develop talent directors and producers as BBC partners.
• Ensure that content and activity complies with the BBCs editorial standards and guidelines and other key policies and commitments.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Deep expertise in the field of documentary production or commissioning with a significant understanding of the domestic and international markets and of trends within the broadcasting industry and media sector as they apply to documentaries.
• Significant editorial leadership experience with the ability to provide inclusive collaborative leadership and develop high-performing teams.
• Adept at managing senior and executive level stakeholders and establishing positive and collaborative relationships across departments.
• A track record of initiating and managing successful external partnerships and of building successful relationships with both emerging and high-profile documentary talent.
• A thorough understanding of the way in which programmes are commissioned financed and produced with extensive experience in managing significant budgets and understanding key financial drivers.
• Broad and comprehensive understanding of the BBCs legal and contractual agreements and regulations as they apply to programme making broadcasting and digital media or ability to rapidly acquire this via comparable experience.

If you can bring some of these skills and experiences along with transferable strengths wed love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

Being a leader at the BBC means putting the organisations interest goals and values first ahead of individual team or function needs. The characteristics of an enterprise leader are: Focuses on outcomes over activity adapts quickly and simplifies complexity. They balance short-term actions with long-term impact take full accountability for actions and decision-making and prioritise capability development to create teams fit for the future.

Before your start date you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges in line with our Contracts of Employment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.