Chief Content Officer

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The BBC has engaged executive search firms Grace Blue and Ibison, as a partnership, to manage the selection process for this role. Please be aware that your application will be managed by Grace Blue Ibison, who will have access to your CV and personal details for the purpose of this vacancy only.

Should you want any further information about the role please contact Nicola Ibison at the following email address: BBCapplications.GBI@ibisonmedia.com

Overview & Context

With a mission to inform, educate, and entertain, the BBC has grown to become one of the most respected and influential media organisations globally. The BBC is dedicated to delivering exceptional content that enriches people's lives and with a commitment to public service, innovation, and diversity, continues to be a trusted source of information and entertainment for millions of people around the world.

The BBC's unique funding model allows the BBC to maintain editorial independence, pursuing truth with no agenda, backing the best homegrown storytelling by investing in talent both on and off screen, and delivering unmissable content that serves the public interest and that brings people together.

The BBC is the home for a diverse range of content across multiple platforms, including iPlayer, BBC Sounds, television, radio, online, and mobile. Its television channels, including BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC News, provide an eclectic and all-encompassing range of news, drama, documentaries, and entertainment. At the same time, BBC Radio, with stations like Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 4, brings music, talk shows, and cultural programming to audiences.

In 2024, the BBC grew market share more than any other broadcaster or streamer; BBC iPlayer is now the fastest growing streaming platform in the UK, BBC Sounds is the second biggest audio platform in the UK, and the BBC is the home to the most popular radio stations in the UK for both speech and music.*

The BBC is committed to innovation and staying at the forefront of the media industry. It invests in cutting-edge technology and digital transformation to enhance the user experience and reach new audiences.

• BBC, February 2025.

CURRENT OPPORTUNITY

This is a unique opportunity to guide and implement the next phase of the BBC’s creative content strategy. The Chief Content Officer will be a key member of the BBC’s Executive Committee, responsible for developing and delivering the BBC’s strategy and mission to inform, educate and entertain. This person will embrace the challenge of reaching new audiences in a rapidly evolving media landscape, ensuring the BBC is fit for a fast-changing future.

The Chief Content Officer (CCO) will be a proven visionary leader who can drive the creation, development, and delivery of compelling content across BBC iPlayer and all BBC platforms and genres (with the exception of News and Nations and Regions local output). The CCO will be responsible for setting the editorial and commissioning strategy for BBC iPlayer, national TV Channels, national radio networks, BBC Sounds, Film, Sport, Children’s and educational content, BBC Proms and Orchestras. The objective is to ensure that the BBC effectively reflects the diversity and evolution of the BBC’s audiences and maintains the highest standards of quality, accuracy and editorial integrity.

This is a leadership role of scale for someone who has managed multi-million-pound budgets and has had significant experience of leading across an enterprise. This role will have accountability for the overall financial performance of all content and ensuring that maximum value from the investment budget is achieved. Externally the CCO will be a key public face of the BBC, ensuring the organisation is viewed as a proactive and positive partner to, and champion of, the UK media industry whilst upholding the BBC's reputation for excellence.

JOB DESCRIPTION: MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

LOCATION: UK

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the overall BBC strategy as the subject matter expert regarding creative vision and quality, and maintain the values of the BBC, as part of the BBC’s Executive Committee, whilst continuing to evolve the BBC’s content proposition to respond to, and stay ahead of, shifting audience needs.
• Define and communicate the editorial vision and overarching strategy for the BBC’s creative portfolio. Oversee commissioning for BBC iPlayer, all national TV channels, commissioning and production for 10 national radio networks and for BBC Sounds, children’s and education content and be the creative lead for all BBC’s key genres.
• Ensure the BBC delivers fair and effective development and commissioning processes securing the best content for audiences.
• Ensure that the genre portfolio is competitive enough to be at the forefront of future opportunities of creative and technological advances and market developments.
• Lead a team of over 2000. Inspire, develop and build strong and collaborative relationships across all levels and departments. Create an environment that encourages the creation of the best work.
• Ensure that the most cost-effective programming is commissioned based on analysis of target audience needs and ensure equitable investment of content budget across the regions, under-represented communities and small independent organisations.
• Ensure the output meets all editorial compliance requirements and BBC editorial guidelines as stated in the Diversity Commissioning Code of Practice, and that the BBC meets its regulatory requirements, as well as maintaining the BBC’s ongoing commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of its multiple productions.
• Lead in developing and sustaining a strong and continuously invigorated supplier base, continually seeking out and nurturing original and diverse talent and supporting partner organisations to create positive changes in the industry.
• Represent the BBC with key external senior stakeholders including but not limited to government, journalists, industry bodies and senior partners.

ARE YOU THE RIGHT CANDIDATE?

The BBC is seeking to hire an exceptional individual who will deliver against these comprehensive responsibilities. It is important to understand that this is a position which has a public facing role, and therefore, this person will be committed to public service broadcasting, believing in the BBC’s mission and public purpose, and expected to contribute to the overall strategic direction of the Corporation.

They will provide thought leadership, creativity, innovation and clear direction across the BBC, fostering strong performance and bringing strong creative and business skills that support the BBC in continuing to be a world leader in compelling, trusted and innovative content.

CORE CANDIDATE CRITERIA

• A trusted, industry-recognised senior leader with high integrity, who has demonstrated visionary leadership in, and knowledge of, the media ecosystem.
• Must have held a sizable leadership role within the UK TV market with evidence of leading an enterprise at scale and managing multi-million-pound budgets.
• Ability to clearly articulate a compelling and inspirational editorial vision. Proven experience in successfully setting out and delivering a clear creative long-term vision, with a track record of delivering a body of scripted and/or unscripted successful and awarded work.
• Must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the competitive landscape including the economic/commercial/political and creative issues facing the industry.
• Proven ability to drive content that will connect with all audiences and reach new ones in a multi genre ecosystem.
• Demonstrable ability to lead a complex overarching content strategy, portfolio analysis, new brand development and programming development that delivers a robust portfolio proposition in keeping with overarching business vision.
• Demonstrable experience in commissioning, deal making and production at scale including processes, operations and legal regulations (preferably across a range of genres).
• Strong commercial acumen for content investment, managing multi-million-pound commissioning budgets, including negotiation, cost control and maximising value across expenditure.
• Evidence of authentically putting diversity, inclusion and sustainability at the heart of the culture, process and portfolio proposition.
• A track record of driving creative innovation, demonstrating intellectual curiosity and embracing modern approaches and technological advances to creativity and distribution.
• Has built and retained high performing and collaborative teams at scale, in a matrix organisation and built a culture that inspires exceptional creativity. Champions the next generation of emerging talent.
• Proven understanding of managing a breadth of on and off-screen talent, at the highest level and across multiple genres.
• A track record of building collaborative and respected partnerships with external suppliers and government stakeholders within the broadcast media industry, across the UK.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

The Successful Candidate Will Be

• Someone with a high degree of executive maturity, decency, values and diplomacy.
• Strategic, forward-thinking and innovative; ambitious and able to translate vision into reality.
• A future-facing creative force, who embraces new ways of thinking to reach new audiences.
• A convincing and persuasive communicator with first-class interpersonal skills who can present and navigate complex issues.
• Highly collaborative and dedicated to working closely with internal and external partners to execute the wider BBC vision.
• Confident, tenacious and able to deal with pressure, pace and ambiguity, possessing humility and self-awareness.
• Someone who empowers others to be their best selves, whilst knowing when to intervene.
• Able to ensure that creative decision-making is always in support of building brand reputation.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Art/Creative

• Industries

  Broadcast Media Production and Distribution

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