Job Description

Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an individual Lead the Global Acquisitions team to ensure the portfolio of BBC Studios (BBCS) linear and non-linear services, including UKTV, is supplied with the programming required to hit their performance targets while remaining on budget and on brand.

This key editorial role creates and implements the Content Acquisition strategy for UKTV Channels and BBCS branded services, oversees global content priorities, and delivers to the editorial strategy set out by the editorial leads across the business.

Hybrid-Working

At UKTV, we are working in a hybrid environment with a mixture of home and office working. Getting together in the office as a team and a company gives colleagues an opportunity to build and maintain great relationships, encourages our culture of collaboration and creativity while recognising that colleagues need to have a healthy and happy work-life balance. You'll agree with your manager the split of time you spend in the office or at home based on the role that you do, how often you come together as a team and your personal preference.

Diversity & Inclusion Commitment

At UKTV, our inclusion vision is to truly represent society in our workforce and on-screen, and create a culture of fairness and respect where we champion difference so that every person feels included and empowered to do their best work. We are committed to ensuring a level playing field at UKTV where all employees and job applicants are given equal opportunity, and that we have diverse voices at the table in everything we do. We welcome applications from everyone and we want UKTV to be a place where you can be your authentic self, give your best and develop your career free from discrimination of any kind.

What we would like you to bring to the role....key experience, knowledge, skills & personal qualities

Extensive talent management and team leadership experience with the ability to create a positive team culture and develop individuals so they deliver their best work Experience of leading teams through change, including the ability to manage difficult conversations Strong collaboration skills that enable them to problem-solve and produce positive outcomes with a range of stakeholders across the business Proactive and adaptable communication skills to effectively influence suppliers, internal stakeholders, and people at all levels of the business A strong background in successful deal negotiations and a proven list of contacts within the industry, including producers, distributors and studios Display the ability to 'think big' and go beyond everyday activities. Forward thinking in order to help predict market trends as well as understand research and scheduling Demonstrable knowledge of the international content market and the ability to assess content pipelines and discern what may or may not work well for our channels

What you will get to work on....key outputs and responsibilities of the role

Sets and executes the content pipeline strategy for acquired content and pre-sales across BBCS branded services and the UKTV network Manages the sourcing and negotiation of linear and non-linear content, leveraging the businesses' joint buying power to maximum effect and ensuring coordinated deal management across the global portfolio of channels Building a proactive and innovative approach to securing future rights, forging new relationships with content producers/distributors, and ensuring BBCS is in a strong position to have first look at titles and potential output and format deals Work closely with editorial stakeholders across BBCS and UKTV to determine how we can obtain the right mix of genres and titles to leverage our brands and extend their reach Through robust analysis of the market value of content and its return on investment, work with the editorial stakeholders to maximise the budgets and help ensure we extract maximum value for money Review and update standard contract terms ensuring rights acquired are future-proofed against further distribution plans, new technologies, subscription models and delivery methods Setting a vision for the new department with the objective of creating a Centre of Excellence in Acquisitions Help devise and implement the integration of the BBCS and UKTV Acquisitions teams, ensuring that ways of working are streamlined, efficient, and meet saving targets Drive improved and measurable deal value through strategic output deals, packages and a revision of BBC Studios' internal content market Provides leadership and guidance to the Acquisitions Managers and the wider team to develop them and help create the environment for them to do their best work Lead a high performing team, providing them with clear goals and direction. Work to inspire, empower, motivate, and develop them, fostering an inclusive environment where they can perform at their best. Provides leadership and guidance to the Acquisitions Managers and the wider team to develop them and help create the environment for them to do their best work Effectively manage talent retention, development and recruitment for the new department during the transition phase and into the new operating model Ensure that all deals are within budget and comply with BBC policies regarding rights, commercial terms, compliance and editorial integrity Manage and evolve the Priority Content (PC) guidelines and UKTV PLA and Signature list and ensure they are effectively communicated to our programming and distribution team Ensuring the team of Acquisitions Managers are collaborating and communicating effectively with suppliers, region and channel-focused stakeholders, and each other Collaborates with the Content Partnerships, Content Funding, and the Commissioning department for pre-sales and co-productions Have a thorough knowledge of programming across the globe and genres, and play a leading role in disseminating market intelligence across the whole company, as appropriate Lead the Acquisitions Managers to complete deals on time, within budget and internal approval processes whilst being proactive/reactive to the needs of the programming teams Be aware of how this programming is working on competitor channels throughout global markets as well as the availability of similar programming

About UKTV

UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, Gold, Alibi and Eden - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview and Freesat; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV's content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media.

UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.