Job Introduction
BBC Studios is a global creative powerhouse for the development, production and distribution of bold, British, content. We produce over 2,500 hours of content per year, operate in 22 markets globally and generate revenue of £1.4bn, returning around £200m profit to BBC public Service each year. In the UK, BBC Studios enables audiences to enjoy their favourite BBC programmes and brands outside the licence fee-funded window on alternative platforms, through a range of partnerships, and in multiple formats, from products and magazines to events and experiences.
This role is being created as a response to the planned increase in workload resulting in a transition of work from the BBC on BBC1 & BBC2 repeats, BBC’s iPlayer and BBC Archive projects. We are seeking a passionate Business Affairs Executive to support the Rights team provide a first class legal and business affairs service. This role will be working within the Public Service clearance team (part of the wider BBCSD Rights Negotiation team). The PS clearance team provide costings and Rights analysis for PS repeat broadcasts (and other secondary Public Service uses), across various BBC linear channels and media platforms including the iPlayer. The PS team are responsible for clearing the necessary underlying rights and providing programme and contributor information to enable content to be repeated and the associated payments to be made.
Role Responsibility
- Negotiating and contracting: To draft and negotiate contracts for deals (including agreements with independent production companies, talent and contributor rights agreements, digital media contracts, acquisition agreements, commercial investment and distribution contracts, sales agreements and collaboration agreements with creative and funding partners).
- Rights management: To advise on issues including contributor fees, contract terms, employment of foreign artists, tax and service companies, copyright clearance, writers and format deals, union agreements, framework agreements, negotiating fees and contracting. To undertake copyright clearance on existing material.
- Funding proposals: To submit investment proposals to BBC Studios, co-producers and third-party funders via the relevant BBC database.
- Research: To undertake research projects and business reviews on programme and market information providing advice on key business implications of proposed activity
- Stakeholder management: To foster and develop collaborative, creative and commercial relationships – both external (including independent production companies, rights-owning bodies, third party funders, and trade organisations) and internal (including BBC Studios).
- Compliance: To ensure that standards and frameworks are adhered to and translated into compliant individual deals within a pan-BBC approach. To ensure all commercial activity is consistent with BBC Fair Trading policy and regulatory requirements.
- Market intelligence: To monitor and utilise global market trends in order to enhance the overall effectiveness and credibility of CRBA.
- Team management: To provide day-to-day support, training and development for Commercial Affairs Assistants. To maintain efficiency by reviewing and proposing new ways of working.
- Risk management: To assist with mitigating legal, contractual and business affairs risk, brand and IP protection.
- Systems and record keeping: To produce contractual documentation and ensure information on relevant BBC systems are current and maintained. To ensure accurate and current record keeping, authorise and oversee contractual payments (as appropriate).
The Ideal Candidate
Essential
- Knowledge of, and experience in, broadcast and digital media.
- Knowledge of current market intelligence and global media trends.
- Contracting and copyright experience.
- Proven influencing, persuading or negotiating skills.
- Experience of developing and maintaining strong, collaborative working relationships.
- Experience of managing and/or delivering projects.
- Good attention to detail and the ability to examine and summarise complex data.
- An approach that encompasses proactivity, flexibility, resilience, passion and energy.
Desirable
- Knowledge of, and experience in, independent production deal-making.
- Legal knowledge and experience.
- Knowledge of contracting systems, databases and spreadsheet packages.
Meet our people
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We're people like Andy Fernandez
Andy, who brings a fresh look and approach to every project as a Senior Producer in Singapore.
"My career in TV production began in Bombay back in 1994 and five years later I moved to a cable and satellite television network in Singapore. I fell in love with the city and have been here ever since. I did spend a few months with a production house, but broadcast has always been my thing. Nine years ago I joined BBC Worldwide as a Producer and I haven't looked back, continually developing my broadcast skills and growing my career."
"What I really enjoy about my job is that I have both production and management responsibilities: I'm involved in producing promotional videos, mainly for On Air but also for Sales and Marketing, but I also guide and direct creative decisions and oversee the team's workflow. The opportunity to work with premium, quality-based programming on a daily basis is all the motivation you need, and I try to bring a fresh look and approach to every project – I really put my heart and soul into every job, staying positive even when things don't go so well. I also enjoy the working culture. There's mutual respect throughout the whole team and I'm always learning from others."
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We're people like Chris Cole
Chris, whose entrepreneurial talents enable him to brainstorm ideas and fight fires as Executive Vice President, Strategic Partnerships/Projects in New York.
"Before I joined BBC Worldwide, I spent 14 years as an executive producer and a year as part of the BBC's commissioning team. This involved working with both in-house and independent productions in the USA and UK, and delivering science and natural history projects across BBC channels. It's great to compliment and use that experience in the commercial world. My role has allowed me to develop my interests in factual entertainment, and with BBC Worldwide, you're guaranteed great content, a great brand and great people – all rolled up into one organisation."
"I'm responsible for developing and driving strategic business growth for our factual content in North America including sales, co-productions and front list SVOD. It's about being positive, creative and entrepreneurial, and there's a lot to my role from supporting my team to brainstorming ideas on how to get the best deal done. I talk to clients, solve problems, fight fires... and generally make stuff happen! If I were to pick one highlight from my three years here, it would be negotiating a new co-production output deal with the Public Broadcasting Service in America to support the BBC's pipeline of great factual content."
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We're people like Orlando Turner
Orlando, whose role as an AV Systems Engineer has allowed him to learn from the best talent in the industry.
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We're people like Ellie Pullan
Ellie, a Programming Executive on the Digital Children’s team, who helps to facilitate various teams' KPIs through supporting digital-first campaigns.
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We're people like Jay Jaxon
Jay, who's a problem-solver extraordinaire as Operations Director in Miami.
"Operations in Miami provides end-to-end support to our Latin America region. That means ensuring our content is secure and our people are safe, providing playout and distribution to our channels business, creating cost-efficient, sustainable and reliant workflows to the sales content team - and anything else the region needs. You can imagine how much of my day is spent solving problems; it really keeps me on my toes."
"I started in live events before moving into the music business as an audio engineer. I then moved into TV and the rest, as they say, is history. I've been witness to some fascinating changes as we've moved from tape to tapeless, from tapeless to file-based environments, from linear TV to non-linear and video on demand platforms."
"I decided to develop my career on the Operations side of the business and I've been at BBC Worldwide for two and a half years now. I've been fortunate to be able to build an incredible team around me, the people here really are first class. While I might have been around a bit I'm still learning, particularly on developing my leadership skills and technical knowledge."
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We're people like Rosie Thomas
Rosie, whose favourite part of her job as a Producer of Green Planet is the opportunity learn and travel.
