Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Commissioning Executive for our Drama genre to join the Commissioning team on a part time basis (4 days a week)
We have an exciting opportunity for a Commissioning Exec to join the UKTV Commissioning team. Reporting to the Head of Drama this role will work across the scripted slate, helping develop and deliver a broad range of new innovative and diverse ideas and steering a handful of productions to successful delivery.
Working closely with the Head of Drama this Commissioning Exec will ensure that editorial excellence is balanced with budgetary requirements and ensure that productions are aligned with the strategic needs of UKTV and its channels.
In this role you will get to:
Work closely with the Head of Drama to ensure there is a strong development pipeline, assessing new proposals with confident editorial judgement.
Be an effective point of contact for producers, providing feedback and handling initial rejections in a timely manner.
Have a clear understanding of the team’s editorial strategy and to message that clearly to producers.
Ensure commissions and developments from suppliers are based on a solid understanding of diversity, cost, rights maximisation and funding needs.
Develop excellent working relationships with a broad range of producers across the UK.
Be responsible for a small number of productions, ensuring that they are delivered on time, to budget and to the highest editorial standard and within editorial guidelines.
Help spot key trends and opportunities within the genre and be able to identify and champion new diverse talent.
Contribute to the overall commissioning strategy within the broader department and within UKTV/BBCStudios as a whole.
Enable creativity and foster an innovative approach to UKTV drama.
Have the chance to develop your career as a key creative figure within the industry.
We are looking for someone who has:
Demonstrable programme making experience.
A sound knowledge, understanding and passion for the current tv drama landscape and an ability to see how your work fits with the needs of UK audiences.
Experience of working with defined resources and demanding deadlines.
Sound editorial judgement, coupled with the ability to influence others and help develop best work.
A strong knowledge of working with scripts is essential
Interest in the commissioning process and an understanding of the commissioning landscape.
Good interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to use own initiative with confidence, using judgement to escalate as necessary.
Experience of handling confidential and /or controversial information tactfully.
Evidence of a commitment to creating diverse content, in line with UKTV’s diversity strategy and policy
Good planning and organisational skills, with the ability to multi-task and problem solve.
Who you are:
Demonstrate a naturally collaborative style.
Be keen to learn new skills that are required to become a successful commissioner.
Committed, proactive candidate who ensures fair representation, diversity and inclusion in their work, both on and off-screen
Be a passionate advocate with outstanding editorial instincts.
Display a high degree of self-motivation.
Be a committed and passionate team player who is able to support other members of the team.
Possess good communication skills and the ability to relay contentious decisions without impacting on key relationships.
Display an ability to generate, and inspire others to generate, innovative and original ideas.
Learn to understand the impact of commissioning decisions on the wider UKTV economy.
Show an analytical approach: can identify key trends, anticipate problems and deliver solutions.
Demonstrable a concern for results and achieving goals.
And finally, and most importantly, demonstrate genuine, burning passion for TV.
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.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee a small number of dramas as directed by the Head of Drama to ensure they are delivered to the highest editorial standard and as per the editorial agreement.
Connect with producers and outline the department’s creative briefs, in accordance with our business parameters.
Help assess ideas and make decisions using keen editorial judgement.
Manage supplier relationships in line with genre / channel strategy, giving timely and constructive feedback.
Work with wider teams such as Marketing, Scheduling and BLA as required to ensure delivery as per the channel/genre strategy and always in the best interest of the UKTV audience.
Ensure at all times that programmes fully meet compliance and other regulatory frameworks, referring any relevant issues to the Head of Drama.
Develop and progress innovative ideas using your own initiative and in line with the Commissioning strategy.
Follow UKTV’s financial procedures, ensuring all supplier agreements and payments are processed within company guidelines.
Work with the Head of Production to do everything possible to ensure that programmes on your slate are delivered within the approved budget.
Manage multiple projects concurrently, making use of excellent organisational skills.
Demonstrate strong influencing skills within UKTV and with suppliers and talent.
Maintain regular relationships with suppliers to ensure that UKTV is the first port of call for new ideas ahead of our competitors.
Demonstrate an understanding of the commercial opportunities for investment into original content including an understanding of the rights picture and an ability to represent this to key suppliers.
Work closely with colleagues in Legal and Business Affairs and the Programme Finance Team to explore potential co-commissioning opportunities with other broadcasters across the globe.
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 - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.
UKTV 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.