Description

THE ROLE
Job Introduction
The BBC World Service is undergoing a transformation to ensure that the best World Service content travels further and makes greater impact.  As such we are refocusing our strategy to build reach and engagement on owned and operated platforms, including TV, and on digital.  We are also changing the way that we operate.
World Service Languages Channels is a new department that brings together our TV and streaming offers.  At the core of this are BBC Arabic and BBC Persian, which together have a weekly audience of over 42 million, some of the largest BBC global audiences.
Reporting to the Executive News Editor, Languages Channels, the successful candidate will lead the transformation of these channels for the latest phase of the digital era, designing new programmes, formats and schedules, evolving our tone and style, and building an authentic voice for our output, to feel as natural if streamed on digital platforms, as on TV.
They will lead a project to build transparency across the channels, building on the great work of BBC Arabic and BBC Persian in forensics journalism.  They will innovate and optimize our streaming operation, devise efficient and effective workflows, develop team skills and nurture a collaborative culture.  Leading on our new transparency value will build on existing strengths and will further distinguish us from our competitors.
Main Responsibilities
To lead the transformation of BBC Arabic and BBC Persian channels to become news channels for the latest phase of the digital era, designing new schedules, evolving tone and style, and introducing new live and pre-recorded formats, including  streaming formats shared with digital.
To lead a project to embed transparency and forensic storytelling in the output and journalism of BBC Arabic and BBC Persian, from our cue writing to package production, to on the day verification and open source analysis, working closely with teams in WSL Content and BBC Verify.
To manage production teams working across both channels and support cultural change across the channels.
To help the Executive News Editor World Service Languages Channel to develop and evolve a strategy for each channel, based on the overall WS strategy, working closely with the rest of the channels and wider World Service leadership team, and audiences, to provide a clear and distinctive offer in our markets, that is complementary to our digital strategy.
To innovate with new formats, including for live and as live, working closely with senior colleagues in Output and Content.
To line manage the scheduling team, and work with audiences and to develop and lead cross-promotion of content within the channels and to digital.
To pursue strategies to increase time spent and frequency with owned and operated platforms, including TV and website, working closely with audiences teams.
To lead programming to maintain and attract younger audiences, commissioned by Channels and Digital output that would exist on TV and Digital platforms.
To work with rest of channels leadership team to improve editorial oversight across both channels.
Are you the right candidate?
Good written and spoken command of Arabic or Farsi is preferable.
Recent track record in leading TV or digital content production and output, in particular video, at a senior level
Track record of dealing with complex legal and editorial policy issues including editorial complaints and compliance processes.
Demonstrable recent experience of launching new TV programmes, live video formats or digital video offers that has led to growth in reach and impact across languages and platforms.
Track record of leading change, of deploying a range of management techniques embedded in the BBC values to inspire teams, and of using evidence from data and qualitative research to build strategies to inform that change.
Proven track record of innovation in news, current affairs or factual formats and of championing important original journalism.  Experience of working in fields of forensic journalism, including data, video verification, fact-checking, OSINT, would be a distinct advantage, and evidence of promoting transparency.
Understanding of audiences and of changing audience behaviour, to help to identify opportunities for convergence and shared commissioning between TV and Digital, and to inform growth and cross-promotion strategies.
Proven recent experience in leading teams located in different parts of the world
Proven experience in managing high level stake holders.
Package Description
Band: F
Contract type: Continuing
Location: London
Salary: Up to £90,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.
We’re happy to discuss flexible working. 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 offer stage.
Excellent career progression – the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.
Unrivalled training and development opportunities – our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.
Benefits- We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (1 of 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.