Creative Director Formats

BBC Group and Public Services; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

BBC Studios Benelux Productions in Amsterdam is seeking a Creative Director to lead our development strategy for unscripted formats, shaping the next generation of BBC formats in the Benelux region.

You will collaborate with the Head of BBC Studios Benelux productions, manage the development slate, and work with an international network of experts to drive creative excellence from concept to production.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in television development with a track record of developing and pitching unscripted formats.
• Excellent pitching and communication skills with ability to convey ideas clearly.
• Strong understanding of the Dutch television and streaming landscape.
• Experience leading, mentoring development teams and managing multiple projects.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with commissioners, talent and partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a development and pitching strategy that drives new business and commissions.
• Create opportunities to launch original formats in the Benelux market.
• Drive development of original unscripted formats with international potential.
• Identify opportunities to adapt and localise formats for broadcasters and platforms.
• Build and maintain relationships with commissioners, broadcasters and partners.
• Lead creative partnerships and co-development initiatives with local and international colleagues.
• Collaborate with BBC Studios teams across territories to maximise format potential.
• Lead and inspire the development team with a culture of creativity and ambition.
• Partner with production teams to ensure creative excellence from development through to production.
• Monitor commissioning trends and translate insights into development priorities.

Skills

TV development experience

Pitching & communication

Dutch market knowledge

Team leadership & mentoring

Relationship building with commissions

Job description

ROLE: Creative Director. Formats
CONTRACT TYPE: Full-time, Permanent
DEPARTMENT: BBC Studios Benelux Productions
LOCATION: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

JOB PURPOSE

BBC Studios is one of the world's leading producers and distributors of premium content. From globally recognised entertainment brands to groundbreaking new formats, we create and produce content that resonates with audiences around the world.
As BBC Studios continues to expand its production and development activities in the Benelux, we are looking for an ambitious and entrepreneurial Creative Director to lead our creative development strategy and help build the next generation formats.
This is a rare opportunity to join a growing business at an exciting stage of its journey. Working closely with Head of BBC Studios Benelux productions, you'll be part of a growing, agile and highly collaborative local team, while partnering closely with an extensive international network of creative, production and format experts across BBC Studios Global Content team.

WE ARE BBC STUDIOS

A globally renowned media company borne of the BBC. We make and distribute 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.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

Join BBC Studios Benelux at a pivotal stage of growth and help shape the future of unscripted content across the region. You'll have the opportunity to develop original ideas, launch internationally recognised formats, and collaborate with creative experts across BBC Studios' global network. This role offers significant influence, creative ownership and the chance to play a key role in building a thriving development pipeline for one of the world's leading content businesses.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Develop and execute a development and pitching strategy that drives new business, secures commissions and supports the growth ambitions of BBC Studios Benelux.
• Create opportunities to launch original and catalogue formats in the Benelux market, working closely with BBC Studios teams and partners across multiple territories.
• Drive the development of original unscripted formats with strong local relevance and international potential.
• Identify opportunities to adapt and localise BBC Studios formats for broadcasters, streamers and platforms across the Benelux.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners, broadcasters, streamers and local and international creative partners.
• Lead creative partnerships and co-development initiatives with both local and international colleagues and partners.
• Actively collaborate with BBC Studios development and production teams across multiple international territories to identify opportunities, share insights and maximise the potential of format ideas.
• Lead inspire and manage the development team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration and ambition.
• Partner closely with (co) production teams to ensure creative excellence from development through to production.
• Monitor commissioning trends, audience behaviour and market opportunities across the Netherlands and Flanders, translating insights into actionable development priorities.
• Manage the development slate, resources and budget to ensure a focused and effective creative pipeline.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Significant experience in television development, with exceptional pitching and communication skills and, specifically, a strong track record of developing and pitching unscripted formats.
• Existing relationships with commissioners and development teams in the Netherlands and a strong understanding of the Dutch television and streaming landscape
• Experience leading, managing and mentoring development teams and managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Commercial awareness combined with strong creative instincts.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with commissioners, talent, producers and creative partners.

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Relationships within the Flemish market.
• Experience working within an international production or format business.
• Experience creatively overseeing productions, either original formats and/or adaptations of established formats.

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.