Development Producer, BBC Studios Specialist Factual

Job Introduction

BBC Studios is the biggest independent producer in the UK and winner of a prestigious volume of awards. It is home to BBC Drama, BBC Entertainment, BBC Comedy and BBC Factual, and under Factual's umbrella are the Natural History Unit, the Specialist Factual unit, the Science Unit and the Documentary Unit.

Specialist Factual Productions have a critically acclaimed reputation as one of the industry's leading producers of premium and definitive history and cultural storytelling. We recently produced the multi award nominated defining story of Hip Hop, Executive Produced and led by Chuck D - Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World and premium series Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution for BBC and PBS. Other recent examples of our work include the hit true crime natural history thriller The Great Rhino Robbery for Sky Documentaries, epic political history series Julius Caesar: Making of A Dictator for BBC and PBS and the Cold War docudrama, Secrets and Spies for CNN and the BBC.

Specialist Factual Productions is looking for a dynamic Development Producer to join the team as it enters a new phase of growth and innovation. We are looking for an experienced candidate who has a genuine passion for history, arts, music and culture storytelling, who will help drive new opportunities and has proven success in both ideas generation and delivering high quality decks and proposals. You will also have demonstrable experience in progressing projects from initial idea through to commission.

Working closely with the Creative Director, Head of Development and the development team, the successful candidate will have a proven ability to generate specialist factual series and singles for both terrestrial and streamer broadcasters and a passion for generating innovative, surprising, and diverse new approaches, as well as an understanding of the needs of both the UK and international markets.

Please note we will only consider candidates with previous experience at producer level in the specialist factual development sphere so please do not apply if you do not have this experience.

Main Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Development for Specialist Factual Productions, the selected candidate will be confident in contributing to an ambitious new slate of ideas that successfully map to commissioning needs.

You will also be passionate about developing ambitious ideas for both the UK, US and global streamer markets and creating world-class proposals. You will have a wide-range of skills in specialist factual spheres, from innovative approaches to traditional and contemporary history and building premium cultural ideas to finding compelling stories and helping to shape formats for returnable series.

• Working closely with the Head of Development and Senior Creative Director to contribute and develop exciting, boundary-crossing, diverse stories and ideas.

• A market awareness of the domestic and international television industry, from major UK and European broadcasters, to US buyers and global streaming platforms.

• Experience of not only successfully securing commissions for domestic buyers, but also streamers like Netflix, Nat Geo, Sky Documentaries, A+E, Amazon and Apple.

• The ability to progress projects from original ideas through to commission.

• Strong journalistic instincts and skills. Proven ability to produce well-researched, crafted, and compelling decks and treatments.

• To identify and develop new talent and work effectively with existing talent.

• Manage and direct contributions from more junior members of team to help build on ideas.

• You will work collaboratively with the Production Management team

Are you the Right Candidate?

• You will have at least 2-3 years experience at Development Producer level working specifically to develop Specialist Factual ideas in TV content.

• Proven experience in developing premium factual long-form series and singles for the UK market, and the US and streaming platform markets, such as Netflix, Amazon, History Channel, Disney+ and Sky Documentaries.

• Evidence of spotting and introducing up and coming potential on-screen talent along with creating innovative ideas for established on-screen talent vehicles.

• You will have excellent communication skills, excel at writing clear and concise fast turnaround treatments and producing taster tapes in order to aid successful commissions.

• Successful track record of winning access to original stories, developing ideas & making use of different television forms and formats.

• Provable experience of producing high quality treatment decks (on a fast turnaround basis where applicable) and sizzles in order to aid successful commissions.

• Ability to develop and manage a wide range of complex internal and external relationships.

Job Package

Job Reference: 18205

Band: D

Location: BBC Television Centre, London, UK

Working Pattern: Hybrid Working (mix of working from home plus two/three days a week in the office).

Contract Type: Freelance - 6 months

Start date: 30th September 2024

Interviews are expected to be held week commencing 2nd September 2024.

We are really proud to share that we are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and so if you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply please do contact us at reasonable.adjustments@bbc.co.uk with the job reference in the subject.

We offer flexibility, competitive benefits and the opportunity to be part of the BBC's exciting mission. Some of the key benefits you'll get from working in this role are:

Flexible/Agile working - opportunities across the business. We believe in empowering you to do your best work, so we offer support and flexibility to balance work and home. We're happy to discuss a formal flexible working pattern. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at the offer stage.

Unrivalled training and development opportunities - we operate a people-first culture and pride ourselves on your development. Our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certifications.

Excellent career progression - BBC Studios offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation. Leaders at the BBC are passionate about helping our people grow in the organisation and you will have regular sessions with your line manager to support you with your career ambitions.

Benefits - We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26days (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.

The BBC is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of their background. More information on our D&I plan can be found here.

BBC Studios puts sustainability at the heart of everything we do both onscreen and offscreen, including delivering against the BBC Group's science-based Net Zero targets.

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