Assistant Commissioner, BBC Film

BBC Group and Public Services; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The BBC is seeking an Assistant Commissioner for its Film team. This permanent role involves producing editorial script notes, assessing film submissions, and tracking talent in the UK Film industry. Applicants should have extensive experience in film development and strong industry contacts, along with critical thinking and story editing skills.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in film development and production.
• Track record of providing editorial feedback.
• Strong connections within the industry.

Responsibilities

• Produce editorial script notes.
• Assess submissions and provide constructive feedback.
• Track new projects and talent.

Skills

Critical thinking

Story editing

Talent development

Industry knowledge

Diversity and inclusion advocacy

Education

Experience in feature film development or production

Strong contacts in UK Film industry

Job description

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Job Title: Assistant Commissioner, BBC Film

Permanent - Full Time

Job Closing Date: 8 June 2025

THE ROLE

Job Introduction

About Us

This role is within the BBC Film team, sitting in the Content division at the BBC. We are at the forefront of British independent film-making, developing a large slate of varied projects and co-financing approximately fifteen feature films a year. Working in partnership with major international and UK distributors, we aim to make strong British films with originality, range and ambition. We are committed to seeking out and developing new talent, as well as collaborating with some of the foremost writers and directors in the industry. We are always looking to find new ways to connect and collaborate with our audiences to deliver a unique voice on subjects that matter to them.
About the Role

The Assistant Commissioner for BBC Film is a key member of the BBC Film team. They will report to the Director of BBC Film and work closely with the Commissioning Executives and/or Director of BBC Film on a wide range of BBC Film-related projects in development and in production, and with colleagues in the wider BBC Film team.

Main Responsibilities

• Producing editorial script notes to an extremely high standard and in a timely fashion, as a key priority
• Assessing a wide range of material, making decisions on submissions and providing constructive feedback to producers, as a key priority
• Working with the Commissioning Executives and/or Director of BBC Film, to maintain an overview of the balance of the slate, identifying gaps and areas of under-representation which will inform decision-making
• Responding to submissions and projects in a timely fashion
• Following projects through development into production, attending screenings or watching cuts online and providing cut notes to a high standard and in a timely fashion
• Tracking new projects and talent, with a specific emphasis on writer knowledge and relationships
• Contributing to specialised programmes or labs targeting specific talent and/or projects
• Liaising across channel and with external partners on key elements for BBC Film
• Keeping and updating lists of talent/production companies/projects
• Attending theatre, other events and looking at other platforms to track talent and find new talent
• Attending Film Festivals (when requested) to track talent and new talent
• Keeping in touch with activity across both the UK and international industry
• Tracking projects and developments that BBC Films may want to join
  Take on specific briefs as requested (e.g books, comedy)
• Take part in panels and industry events when requested (with manager’s permission)
• Keep up to date with box office and other industry information

Are you the right candidate?

We welcome applications from candidates with proven experience in feature film development, production or a related field who can demonstrate a track-record of providing highest-calibre editorial feedback and finding and tracking talent. You will have:

• Substantial previous experience of the UK Film industry and strong contacts in the industry in the UK and abroad
• Proven experience of strong critical thinking and story editing skills in both written and verbal forms
• Proven experience of identifying, developing and promoting talent, on and off screen
• Strong knowledge and contacts across the creative industries such as publishing, theatre, television, art, documentary and the ability to recognise crossover potential
• Demonstrable commitment to increasing and championing diversity and inclusion

About the BBC

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC for different reasons and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.

We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviourshere.

Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

To find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at the BBC, please clickhere.

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.

BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: 01420028, registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.