Contract: 12 Month Fixed Term/Attachment

Job:Production Manager, Referendum Unit

Contract:12 month Fixed Term/Attachment

Location:Glasgow

Grade:8D

Do you have what it takes to help the BBC’s top journalists tell the biggest story in Scotland’s history in more than three hundred years?

Do you have resilience, patience and the knack of bringing exciting projects to life?

Are you skilled in helping editorial colleagues achieve their ambitions by delivering outstanding multi-platform content within budget?

If so NCA Scotland wants to hear from you.

We are looking for an experienced Production Manager - familiar with BBC internal workings- to work directly with the new role of Referendum Editor.

You will be expected to set up and help run the Referendum unit. Together with the Editor you will help develop and build the infrastructure which will become the driving force of all our Referendum coverage from September 2013 until October 2014.

You will be expected to help run programmes from debates on Radio, TV and Online, documentaries on Radio and TV, help organise news events coverage, culminating in a results programme on the night of the vote.

We need a Production Manager expert in special events planning to provide planning, budgetary and management support for the portfolio of output.

You will work closely with the Editor and report to the Business Executive NCA.

An interest in Scottish current affairs is a must as is the ability to plan and manage complex budgets across a range of programmes.

Purpose:
• To work in partnership with editorial colleagues to deliver outstanding, distinctive, multi-platform content by providing the ways to realise editorial ambitions within operational and financial constraints.
• To bring effective leadership to production management staff on the production(s) and to play a key role in maintaining a professional pan-BBC production management community.
• To manage innovation and change, and to drive continuous improvement throughout production.
• To contribute to and maintain a creative and collaborative culture.
Context:
• Post holders at this level report to a Production Executive, or equivalent.
• They are expected to maintain a wide range of internal contacts from across the BBC.
• Typical external relationships will be with resource providers, contributors, artists and their agents, freelancers and public officials (e.g. local authorities).

Decision making authority:
Post holders at this level have delegated decision-making authority (from the Production Executive or equivalent) regarding budgets, resources and day-to-day management of their production(s), working within BBC guidelines and frameworks.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Shape and plan productions
• Contributes to the budget process, ensuring resources and editorial aspirations are aligned.
• Supports the Production Executive (or equivalent role) to identify opportunities for commercial exploitation at an early stage and ensure requirements are achievable.
• Responsible for scheduling, budgeting and managing the production(s) in line with divisional requirements and relevant BBC frameworks, guidelines and policies.
• Responsible for identifying and sourcing appropriate resource and location requirements for the production(s) at the earliest possible stage.

Manage and deliver productions

• Jointly accountable with editorial colleagues for ensuring compliance with BBC policies, guidelines, legislative and regulatory requirements, in order to minimise the BBC’s exposure to risk.
• Accountable for ensuring all necessary rights are acquired for the complete delivery of the production(s), escalating any issues at the earliest stage.
• Accountable for resolving any operational and financial issues commensurate with the role.
• Jointly accountable with editorial colleagues for delivering demonstrable value for money through effective and efficient management of people and resources.

Plan and manage production finances

• Jointly accountable with editorial colleagues for managing the financial and operational performance of the production(s) based on expert knowledge and accurate financial information.
• Responsible for preparing, managing and monitoring production budgets, and for forecasting and reporting progress in line with best practice.
• Responsible for assessing the financial viability of content ideas during production, identifying and mitigating any risks, and escalating issues if necessary.

Manage media assets

• Jointly accountable with editorial colleagues for ensuring production teams are aware of – and adhere to - the processes for fully and accurately capturing and managing metadata in line with BBC guidelines and policies.
• Accountable for ensuring all deliverables are available in a timely manner to fulfil the commission and that post production paperwork is complete and accurate.

• Responsible (with support from editorial colleagues) for ensuring I&A have the necessary information to efficiently manage the process of retaining or deleting media assets.

Manage the performance of production areas

• Identifies training and development needs of direct reports and ensures performance management arrangements are in place in line with BBC guidelines and policies.
• Supports diversity in every aspect of the production(s).
• Jointly accountable with editorial colleagues for integrating occupational risk management into the production process to ensure the safe management of productions. Co-ordinates, monitors and reviews safety arrangements, and, if necessary, seeks expert advice at the earliest possible stage.
• Accountable for ensuring compliance with Procurement policies and guidelines for the procurement of production resources.

Strategy and continuous improvement

• Proactively looks for new ways of working to improve efficiency within production.
• Responsible for efficiently and effectively deploying approved technologies on the production(s).
• Responsible for understanding and championing the rationale for new ways of working and/or for adopting new production related technology.
• Supports other divisions with the implementation of their strategies (e.g. Future Media & Technology, BBC People, Workplace, Procurement, Finance, etc) volunteering regular feedback on the goods and services provided, particularly from external suppliers.

COMPETENCIES

Production:
Actively contributes to the editorial and production process, ensuring that all compliance obligations are met.
Keeps up-to-date with and effectively communicates changes to BBC policies, procedures and guidelines.
Actively manages multi-platform projects to bring them in on schedule and on budget.
Understands Health & Safety risk, the resources and arrangements required to manage them, and where to get expert advice from.
Knows how to monitor H&S performance for productions under their control. Conducts appropriate Risk Assessments.
Seeks opportunities to reduce costs, maximise investment and/or exploit content through co-operation and collaboration.
Contributes creative ideas and helps translate them into practical reality. Proactively suggests creative solutions to solve problems and/or to work within resource constraints.
Challenges traditional ways of working and explores new production techniques. Demonstrates enthusiasm for change and continuous improvement.
Industry:
Proactively updates own knowledge of what’s happening in the BBC and in the industry, via BBC sources in the first instance. Shares that knowledge and experience with colleagues.
Establishes new contacts and develops effective working relationships with a wide range of people both inside and outside the BBC.
Acts with integrity and as an ambassador for the BBC. Demonstrates behaviour consistent with the BBC’s values.
Planning:
Translates creative ideas into practical plans. Able to manage production projects and constructs flexible plans and schedules. Manages many tasks simultaneously to meet multiple demands.
Thinks ahead and prioritises activities, considering objectives, timescales, resources and risks.
Anticipates and responds quickly and calmly to constantly changing circumstances and priorities. Shows resourcefulness and creativity in solving problems.
Proactively suggests and recommends courses of action.
Applies influencing and negotiating skills to resolve conflicting objectives and achieve satisfactory outcomes.
Gains co-operation from others by listening and responding to their views, knowing when and where to stand one’s ground.
Negotiates best and fair deals by using suitable styles of persuasion, adhering to BBC policies and guidelines.
Recognises when to consult, seek consensus or make a decision alone. Critically evaluates relevant information to support decision making, and provides documentation if required.
Uses initiative and takes responsibility for the consequences of own decisions.
Demonstrates confidence and authority when taking charge of a situation and is prepared to take potentially contentious decisions, when necessary.

Business:
Works closely with editorial colleagues to balance editorial aspirations with resource and compliance constraints.
Contracts staff and resources in the most cost effective manner, ensuring compliance with BBC policy and guidelines.
Prepares, negotiates and manages effective and achievable resource plans and budgets.
Assesses competence of contractors/suppliers to meet BBC requirements. Ensures compliance requirements are met before contracting takes place.
Works to optimise opportunities for commercial and third party income.
KNOLWEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Production:

Considerable experience of production across a range of output or genres.

Experience of delivering a range of productions on time and on budget.

Demonstrable working knowledge of end-to-end multi-platform production with a level of technical understanding.

Up-to-date understanding of the BBC’s diverse audiences and uses this to contribute to production decisions.

Able to advise on production systems and support the implementation of new technologies on productions.

Good understanding of differing technical standards affecting delivery requirements.

Thorough knowledge of the market for various types of supplier and resources.
Thorough knowledge of local green light procedures in order to drive the implementation of the process, ensuring resources and editorial aspirations are aligned.

Thorough knowledge of BBC policies, procedures and guidelines.

Recognised formal Health & Safety training, including Risk Assessment. Experience of managing H&S arrangements on a production.

Sound knowledge of BBC Editorial Guidelines in order to highlight potential risks in productions and contribute to editorial discussions.

Industry:

Thorough and up-to-date knowledge of the BBC, and the role of each part of the organisation.

Understands the strategy and objectives for production management and of own group (division).

Knowledge of industry and emerging trends.

Sound knowledge of the BBC’s values and purpose.
Planning:

Effective project management skills.

Proven experience of delivering project outputs and experience of managing a range of stakeholders and instilling confidence in project delivery.

Highly developed organisational and planning skills - able to schedule and prioritise people, teams and activities to meet operational deadlines.

Able to contribute details to, and implement business continuity plans.

Able to identify and mitigate potential risks at the earliest possible stage.
Business:

Demonstrable business and finance skills with a sound knowledge of BBC policies and guidelines.

Able to create, forecast and manage significant production budgets.

Puts forward ideas for maximising the value from productions.

Strong negotiating and influencing skills – able to influence, manage and negotiate deals and contracts in line with BBC policies and guidelines.

Able to allocate resources to meet agreed commissioning briefs and other requirements.

Experience of managing co-productions and/or complex rights and funding models. Aware of potential conflicts with BBC policies.