Sport+ Documentary Development Lead

BBC Group and Public Services; Salford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Sport+ Documentary Development Lead to drive the creation of compelling documentary content. This role involves ideation, research, and development of innovative narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in long-form video production, excellent storytelling skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively. Join a forward-thinking organization that values creativity and offers unrivaled training opportunities to enhance your career while making a meaningful impact in the world of sports media.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

25 days annual leave

Defined pension scheme

Discounted dental and health care

Gym membership

Qualifications

• In-depth experience in long-form video production and storytelling.
• Strong journalistic background with excellent writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and research new documentary ideas for cross-platform content.
• Oversee treatments, proposals, and pitch decks for stakeholders.
• Track and analyze performance data on documentary content.

Skills

Long-form video production

Creative storytelling

Audience data analysis

Scripting and storyboarding

Project management

Job description

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Sport+ Documentary Development Lead

Content

Permanent - Full Time

Salford, GB, M50 2QH

BBC PUBLIC SERVICE B'CAST

Job Closing Date: 18/05/2025

THE ROLE

Job Reference: 23533
Band: D
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Office Base is Salford

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 negotiable salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.

If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process please contact the [e-mail] For any general queries, please contact: [e-mail].

Job Introduction

Working to the Sport+ Editor, the documentary development lead will help drive the ideation, research, and development of new and compelling evergreen documentary content.

This role requires a deep understanding of storytelling, strong research skills, and extensive experience in documentary production.
An understanding of audience engagement across different platforms is essential. A passion for producing documentaries and the ability to identify powerful narratives that resonate with audiences are key requirements for this role.
The successful candidate will identify new ideas that will attract target audiences and contribute to the story development in the pre-production phase.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop new and exciting documentary ideas. Research storylines and identify potential projects that can work cross-platform.
• Work closely with BBC Audiences team to test ideas. Stay updated on emerging trends in sports content and audience habits to help create fresh and innovative content.
• Help nurture key relationships with relevant agents and contributors.
• Assist in scripting and storyboarding content ideas for long-form formats.
• Oversee treatments, proposals and pitch decks for internal and external stakeholders.
• Plan and facilitate team creative sprints and ideas sessions.
• Oversee deep-dive research into topics, trends, and untold stories.
• Work closely with audio and written colleagues in Sport+ to develop ideas and refine concepts.
• Maintain clear communication with the Editor, Content Editor and Production Manager on all costings.
• Track, analyse and review performance data on all Sport+ documentary content.
• Drive reviews, capturing learnings, and strive to improve the quality and impact of our output.
  

Are you the right candidate?

• The successful candidate will have in-depth experience of long form video production. A strong journalistic and creative storytelling background is essential.
• Experience working with and understanding audience data.
• Extensive experience of long form documentary storytelling.
• Strong journalistic background, writing skills, with experience of crafting compelling narratives.
• Experience in scripting, storyboarding, and structuring narratives.
• A high-level of understanding video production workflows, from pre-production to post-production.
• Experience of managing budgets and multiple projects simultaneously, delivering on time and on budget.
• Strong network of contacts in sports media, journalism and production.
• Familiarity with storytelling and long-form narrative formats.
• Experience in managing research and production teams.
  

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 behaviours here.

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 click here.

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.

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.