Head of Creative & Design – BBC Studios, Global Entertainment

BBC Group and Public Services
Head of Creative & Design – BBC Studios, Global Entertainment

Content

Permanent – Full Time

London, GB, W12 7FA

Job Closing Date: 16/02/2025

THE ROLE About BBC Studios

BBC Studios is a world-renowned content studio and channels & streaming business, powered by British creativity, with a reach that touches audiences in every corner of the globe.

We work with outstanding creative talent who are responsible for platform-defining shows from Strictly Come Dancing to Bluey, Eastenders, Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III.

The range and quality of our content is unsurpassed, creating critical and commercial successes and global phenomena.

From BAFTAs to RTS Awards, BBC Studios is Britain’s most awarded production company and the only producer with three of the top ten shows on IMDB; we’re the home of the widest-read English language news website in the world; and the UK’s largest distributor of British content.

About Global Entertainment

Three divisions: International Production and Formats; Factual-Entertainment and Events; Entertainment and Music. All offering unparalleled experience and expertise. We create premium quality format shows with extensive global reach and limitless potential. Shows like Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing with the Stars, Antiques Roadshow and the Great British Bake Off.

The facts and figures behind our format shows are phenomenal, with Top Gear broadcasting in over 200 territories, the Strictly format is now licenced to over 60 territories in the form of Dancing with the Stars, and The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee watched by 28.5m people in the UK. The broadcast of the entire contest for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool drew an audience of 168 million viewers globally, with the Grand Final alone attracting 10 million in the UK.

The Role

Responsible for some of the most iconic and popular entertainment shows on the planet, BBC Studios Global Entertainment is a powerhouse of creativity and quality. Do you have the creative vision and ambition to support the growth of a global giant, and help us remain one of the leading entertainment production companies in the world?

In a market where pitch documents are expected to rival best-selling books, and 90-second sizzles need to pack the punch of a Hollywood blockbuster, we need a leader who can deliver exceptional quality. Working across the Global Entertainment division; Entertainment, Factual Entertainment, and Music and Events, you will creatively and strategically support idea generation and pitching to the highest standard.

A keen collaborator, you will understand and disseminate ideas and concepts, creating assets to impress clients and win business. You will bring a passion and expertise for design and aesthetics; confidently advising and supporting decisions about the best way to brand and package ideas.

With a fierce commitment to quality and excellence, you will lead the strategy for a new Creative and Design function, and curate a consistent tone across the portfolio. You will motivate a high performing team to push beyond expectation and constantly seek out the competitive advantage. You will network globally, manage requests, and diplomatically push back when necessary.

Bringing expertise from roles like Head of Development or Commissioning, or from senior positions in branding, marketing, or design, you will know the most impactful ways to promote ideas and communicate concepts, and demonstrate a keen interest in digital and technological advancements to ensure we remain current and competitive.

Main Responsibilities

• Working alongside the EVP of BBCS Entertainment and Digital Development, to offer creative and strategic drive to support for BBCS Global Entertainment Development. Ensuring clear development process is in place that complements the division and facilitating others within it to realise their editorial ambitions.
• Responsible for ensuring that all ideas generation and pitching across Global Entertainment development is of the highest standard.
• In particular, responsible for creating a clear vision for the production of best-in-class development assets; decs/pitches/sizzles Also for ensuring that all development assets are compliant with relevant legal, editorial and health & safety requirements.
• To provide pro-active briefs to the division Labels, based on assessment of market intel and audience trends.
• To respond to the division’s Labels and CD creative and strategic requests. Developing, pitching and strategizing as needed, prioritizing varying demands.
• To lead and champion the unit as a center or creative excellence; consistently building an innovative, high performing environment to foster the best, bold and creative content.
• Responsible for management of the total budget for the Creative and Design team portfolio of content within scope of the role.

What does it take?

• A career history which evidences a demonstrable development focus.
• Production experience evidencing strong writing and edit skills; particularly in terms of scripting and the detail of cuts.
• Demonstrable understanding of audiences on all platforms combined with a thorough knowledge of the wider industry marketplace and zeitgeist of the moment. Evidenced experience of analysing trends to inform the strategic success of development campaigns.
• An understanding and experience of using AI and other forms of innovative tech and software.
• Experience of being able to work strategically, using lateral thinking and quick decision making skills, challenging assumptions and developing and driving forward new ways of working.
• Strong experience of developing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Effective planning and organizational skills. Ability to concentrate on several areas of work at one time, prioritising, delivering consistently to deadlines and reacting positively to changes and conflicting priorities.
• A track record of realising creative ideas from conception to reality within the constraints of limited resources and challenging deadlines.
• Proven experience of developing, leading and managing the performance of a team at a senior level.
• Experience of financial responsibility, strong planning skills and ability to manage projects and budgets to deadline.

Package Description

Job Reference: 21613
Contract: Permanent / Continuing
Band: F
Location: London, UK
Start date: March/April 2025 – Negotiable
Salary: TBC – Range £126,100 – £150,000 (Eligibility for enrolment in the production incentive scheme)

What will you gain from working for BBC Studios?

• We offer a competitive salary package
• Parental leave for new parents, regardless of gender, of up to a year with 18 weeks fully paid
• 26 days holiday (plus an additional day which is a Corporation Day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days
• A defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Excellent career progression – access to courses, webinars, workshops and the opportunity to work in different areas of the organisation

Next Steps

We appreciate your interest in this position and understand how important this opportunity is to you. Due to the high volume of interest we may need to close the application period earlier than anticipated. This step is necessary to ensure we can provide a high level of attention and service to all applicants. Thank you for your understanding.
To be considered for this role you will need to be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of your employment.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.