JOBS: Production Manager, BBC Studios - Events at BBC World Service

Job Introduction

• BBC Studios Events are the team behind many award-winning programs such as the Earth shot Prize Awards, Royal Wedding, Festival of Remembrance, and the VE & VJ 75 Commemorations.
• We are looking for a Production Manager to join our team working on long-term forward planning for our most complex Royal Events.
• We are looking for someone who is as passionate about program making as we are, who has great attention to detail, is self-motivated, and can drive progress and plans for the most prestige, high-level production.
• The Production Managers are the driving force behind all our programs. We pride ourselves on being a supportive department, working collaboratively alongside our editorial colleagues, and are closely supported in other areas of the business including Technical, Legal, and Safety to make programs come to life.
• The role would be part-time for 6 months and we would like to hear from Production Managers who are available from July.

The Ideal Candidate

This role would be involved in the strategic planning of our most complex future events.

You need to have experience of:

• Large scale outside broadcast in a production management role. across the UK
• Working in large teams and scheduling crew and production teams
• Understanding location contracts and negotiating deals
• Overseeing health and safety planning and risk assessments 
• Forecasting, planning, and management of production budget
• Experience in BBC systems such as MyBusiness would be useful but not essential. We are really keen to hear from all those who are interested and are looking for their next challenge.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

• Contributes to the commissioning and setting up of productions, ensuring resources and editorial aspirations are aligned.
• Assists the Production Executive (or equivalent role) to identify opportunities for commercial exploitation at an early stage.
• Responsible for scheduling, budgeting, and managing the production(s) process through to delivery in line with divisional requirements.
• Responsible for identifying and sourcing crew, appropriate resources,s and location requirements for the production(s) at the earliest possible stage.
• Ensures compliance with BBC policies, guidelines, and legislative and regulatory requirements, in order to minimize the BBC’s exposure to risk and to deliver value for money through effective and efficient management of people and resources.
• Responsible for ensuring all necessary rights are acquired for the complete delivery of the production(s), escalating any issues at the earliest stage.
• Manages the financial and operational performance of the production(s), based on specialist knowledge and accurate financial information.
• Responsible for preparing, managing, and monitoring production (and IT) budgets, and for forecasting and reporting progress in line with best practices. Contributing to and assessing the financial viability of content ideas that may arise during production.
• Ensures production teams are aware of, and adhere to, the processes for fully and accurately capturing and managing metadata in line with BBC guidelines and policies.
• Identifies training and development needs of direct reports and ensures performance management arrangements are in place.
• Maintains a safe and healthy working environment at all times, escalating any issues or areas of concern.
• Proactively looks for ways of improving efficiency within production, promotes diversity, and advocates the rationale for new ways of working and/or for adopting new production-related technology.
• Responsible for efficiently and effectively deploying approved technologies on the production(s)
• Assists other internal departments with the implementation of their strategies (e.g. HR, Workplace, Procurement, Finance, etc.)
• Working with editorial and production colleagues to devise and implement plans to reduce environmental impact across the production.
• Responsible for liaising with Asset Management on IT requirements both in the office and on location, and ensuring that those who are joining, moving, or leaving the department are equipped appropriately with the correct IT.

Knowledge, skills, training, and experience

Essential

• Current knowledge of the BBC and the wider industry.
• Considerable experience in delivering a range of productions across a range of output or genres, on time and on budget.
• Experience in monitoring and managing health and safety in production.
• Demonstrable working knowledge of end-to-end multi-platform production with a level of technical understanding to enable the most efficient production of content.
• Effective project management skills and proven experience in delivering projects.
• Detailed knowledge of commissioning and green light procedures in order to guide the processes, ensuring resources and editorial aspirations are aligned.
• Equipped with advice on production systems and support the implementation of new technologies in production.
• Able to manage interpersonal relationships effectively and operate with others in a diverse team.
• Interpersonal and communication aptitudes are sufficient to establish and maintain effective relations with a wide range of contacts.
• Record of being organized and responsive in fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrates strong organizational and planning skills and manages conflicting demands to meet deadlines.
• Equipped to interpret an editorial brief, explain commissioning requirements, and suggest ideas for maximizing the value of productions.
• Able to proactively devise new ideas for working more efficiently.
• Strong negotiating skills, ability to influence, manage and negotiate deals and contracts in line with BBC policies and guidelines.
• Thorough knowledge of the market for various types of suppliers and resources.
• Demonstrates team leadership skills - able to lead, develop and motivate teams across a range of output.
• Demonstrable business and finance skills, able to create, forecast, and manage significant production resources and budgets.
• Experience in supervising or line managing Production Staff

Desirable

• Recognized formal health and safety training (including risk assessment)