Digital Development Producer, Drama Job Details | BBC

BBC Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

BBC Studios is seeking a Digital Development Producer, Drama in London to identify, shape and pitch bold scripted ideas for digital audiences. You will work across original IP, new formats and spin-offs, taking projects from concept through development to greenlight, with a focus on digital-first storytelling.

You’ll collaborate with writers, creators and production teams, leveraging a deep knowledge of the digital landscape, audience insights and established digital commissioner relationships

Qualifications

• Proven track record in scripted drama development from concept to pitch/greenlight.
• Expert understanding of digital landscape across broadcast, short-form, vertical and platform-native content.
• Experience producing scripted content for digital audiences, incl. pilots and social-first formats.
• Strong writing and editing skills with ability to shape drama ideas for production.
• Knowledge of social media platforms and analytics; ability to use data to guide content decisions.
• Experience building relationships with writers, creators and digital talent.
• Ability to manage projects within budgets, schedules and platform requirements.
• Strong collaboration with editorial, production and creative teams to realize ideas.

Responsibilities

• Originate and develop bold digital-first ideas for scripted IP and spin-offs.
• Create compelling treatments, pitches and development materials for diverse platforms.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with writers, creators and digital talent.
• Build relationships with digital commissioners and platforms; spot trends.
• Collaborate with teams to turn ideas into deliverable propositions within editorial and legal constraints.
• Contribute to managing BBC Studios' scripted social channels and campaigns.
• Produce and oversee short-form content, pilots and concept projects.
• Work with production teams to ensure digital activity supports brand objectives.

Skills

Scripted drama development

Digital landscape knowledge

Producing scripted content

Writing & editing

Social media analytics

Audience insight

Project management

Relationship building

Job description

JOB TITLE: Digital Development Producer, Drama

JOB BAND: D

CONTRACT TYPE: 12 months Fixed Term Contract

DEPARTMENT: Scripted Digital

LOCATION: London Television Centre

Salary dependent on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

WE ARE BBC STUDIOS

A globally renowned media company born of the BBC. We make and distribute some of the world’s most sought-after TV, audio and digital content.

Our ambition is to be the home of the most powerful, entertaining and inspiring stories for people all around the world.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Following the launch of BBC Studios’ Scripted Digital label, we’re looking for an experienced Digital Development Producer, Drama to find, shape, develop and pitch bold, scripted ideas for digital audiences. You’ll work across original IP, new formats and spin-offs from BBC Studios’ existing dramas, taking projects from initial idea through development to greenlight.

You’ll bring excellent story judgement, strong relationships with writers and creators, a deep understanding of the digital landscape and established digital commissioner relationships. You’ll identify new talent, formats and opportunities, shaping ideas specifically for digital platforms and audiences.

You will also manage projects through production as required to test out new on-screen talent, writers, ideas and proof of concept.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

BBC Studios makes some of the UK’s best-known and longest-running dramas on TV, alongside an evolving slate of upcoming dramas. As audiences increasingly discover and engage with drama across multiple platforms, there are exciting opportunities to extend our established shows while developing original stories, formats and IP specifically for digital audiences.

This role presents an exciting opportunity to work with some of the UK’s most loved television brands while helping shape the next generation of scripted storytelling. You’ll develop new ideas and spin-offs from existing IP, identify exciting writers and creators, and explore short-form, social-first, vertical and platform-native storytelling, helping BBC Studios reach new audiences in an evolving digital landscape.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Originate and develop bold digital-first comedy ideas, spanning new scripted IP, formats and opportunities around existing BBC Studios content and talent, including spin-offs and short-form concepts.
• Take projects from initial concept through development towards pitch or commission, creating compelling treatments, pitches and development materials tailored to different platforms and commissioners.
• Identify and build relationships with established and emerging comedy writers, performers, creators and digital talent, championing distinctive and inclusive voices that reflect the breadth of our audiences.
• Build strong relationships with digital commissioners, buyers and platforms, understanding their audiences and creative priorities and identifying new opportunities. Spot emerging formats, audience behaviours and creative trends across short-form, vertical, social-first and platform-native drama, developing and testing innovative concepts for digital audiences. Use audience insight, platform analytics and performance data to shape creative decisions, refine content strategies and optimise performance across platforms.
• Collaborate with editorial, production and creative teams to turn strong ideas into deliverable propositions, ensuring projects meet relevant editorial, legal, copyright and compliance requirements. Identify opportunities to extend the reach and commercial value of scripted IP through digital distribution, platform partnerships, monetisation and new formats.
• Contribute to the management and growth of BBC Studios’ scripted social channels by creating and delivering digital content strategies that build audiences, strengthen engagement and maximise the impact of scripted IP.
• Produce and oversee short-form digital content, pilots and proof-of-concept projects, working with creative and production teams from initial development through to delivery.
• Work closely with BBC Studios' production teams and digital stakeholders to identify opportunities around existing and upcoming productions, ensuring digital activity supports wider brand and business objectives.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Proven experience of scripted drama development, originating and shaping stories, characters, formats and ideas from initial concept through development to pitch, greenlight or commission.
• Expert knowledge of the digital landscape and how scripted storytelling and audience behaviour differ across broadcast, short-form, social-first, vertical and platform-native content, including platforms, commissioners and emerging trends.
• Experience of developing and producing scripted content for digital audiences, including pilots, short-form, social-first, vertical and/or platform-native content, with experience working with writers, cast and production teams to deliver creative ambitions within production, budget and schedule requirements.
• Strong writing and script-editing skills, with a track record of generating and developing drama ideas and a good understanding of the drama production lifecycle.
• Strong knowledge and established relationships across the digital drama space, including commissioners, writers, creators and emerging talent, with an awareness of market and audience trends and new creative opportunities.
• Proven experience of managing and growing social media channels, including content strategy, publishing, audience engagement and performance analysis across platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
• Strong understanding of social platform analytics and audience insights, with experience using data to inform content development, optimise performance and drive audience growth.
• Experience of producing and delivering digital-first content, from initial idea through to publication, working within budgets, schedules and platform requirements.

NON-ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

While not essential, we are particularly interested in those with experience in one or more of the following:

• Digital extensions or spin-offs from established drama IP
• Original YouTube or platform-native drama
• Scripted digital shorts and social-first storytelling
• Original content commissioned specifically for digital audiences

Disclaimer

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.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

Redeployment

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC 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.

Information at a Glance

This is your BBC

At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world’s best loved content, and the BBC’s mission to inform, educate and entertain.

Find out more about BBC Studios

Life at BBC Studios

• A flexible 35-hour working week with 26 days annualleave (plus bank holidays) and the option to buy anextra five days.
• Defined pension (up to 10% employer contributions).
• Caring and parenting support, 24/7 remote GP access,life assurance and accident benefit.
• BBC Studios is a world leader in operating sustainably both on and off screen. Find out more about BBC Group’s science-based Net Zero targets here .
• Career development in a values-led purpose-driven culture.
• Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis.
• Learn more about life at the BBC and our values in our candidate pack.

Candidate pack

You belong

We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy below.

Diversity, inclusion & belonging strategy

Disability confident

We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we’d be happy to discuss: [e-mail]

Use of AI: Guidance for Candidates

At the BBC, we know that tools like AI can help you prepare, organise your thoughts and feel more confident when applying for a role. But what we're really interested in is you.

We want to hear about your experiences, your skills and what motivates you. The strongest applications are the ones that reflect your own thinking, achievements and perspective. So whilst you're welcome to use AI for support, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and tells your story.

You will find more guidance about using AI in the recruitment process on our careers site below.

Using AI in the recruitment process

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.