Format Sales Executive – CEE 12 Month FTC London, England
Job description
Are you well-organised, passionate about the television formats business, with experience in commercial media sales negotiation? We have an opportunity for a Format Sales Executive to join Global Format Sales team within International Production & Formats on a fixed term contract during a team members’ Parental Leave. Working closely with the International Production & Formats sales network, this role will be responsible for maximizing the exploitation and profitability of the BBC Studios unscripted and scripted formats catalogue by licensing BBC Studios owned and represented formats to commissioners and key production companies across parts of Central Eastern Europe, including Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Bulgaria, among others. The Sales Executive will work closely with colleagues across the department and in-territory to ensure effective pitching, negotiation, and securing of contracts in the region.
BBC Studios International Production & Formats (IP&F) division produces and distributes formatted content around the world, as well as creates original programming in its international production bases. Our teams are based in 12 global markets, with production bases and partnerships in nine countries; BBC Studios IP&F takes the best of British content from both the UK BBC Studios production arm, as well as several independent UK production companies to produce and distribute it to the world.
Our Factual and Entertainment successes include Dancing with the Stars (known in the UK as Strictly Come Dancing which is licensed to 60 territories), Love Productions’ Great Bake Off (licensed to over 35 territories), and Weakest Link (licensed in more than 45 territories, most recently returning to screens on NBC in the USA hosted by Jane Lynch). We are also one of the top growing scripted format production and distribution teams, with localised versions of hit shows like Doctor Foster, The Office, Luther, and Criminal Justice now remade across France, Korea, the USA and India.
Main Responsibilities- Licensing formats within select Central and Eastern European territories, exploring all opportunities to meet agreed annual sales and profit targets across all genres including (i) becoming an expert in the BBC Studios formats catalogue and pipeline; and (ii) keeping clients fully informed of all new programming available to them by all available means including attendance at TV markets if required, and to maintain tight control over the business as directed
- Maintain all current activity reports and forecasts are accurately and regularly updated to ensure accurate forecasting of prospective sales and pipeline in accordance with the business process, including a sales tracker, up to date with actual and forecast sales.
- Foster and maintain a strong working relationship with existing and prospective clients, both commissioners and key production companies, to maximise and increase profitable revenue, sometimes in difficult negotiations.
- Negotiate format sales contracts in the region with customers on outline terms to ensure that all sales are recorded accurately and in accordance with policy and legal guidelines and businesses strategies.
- Work closely with regional teams responsible for content and branded services sales across the region to present a joined-up market approach to customers.
Relationships
- Daily contact with Format Sales Manager, Format Sales Executive and Format Sales Support Executive
- Weekly contact with SVP Global Format Sales
- Weekly contact with regional Content Sales teams in relevant markets in the region
- Weekly contact with Global Format Sales teams and central International Production & Formats division
- Regular phone/email/face to face contact with external clients to provide/receive information and sell in opportunities
- Ability to build strong relationships both with external clients and internal stakeholders
- Sound commercial acumen; ability to identify, evaluate and pursue new business opportunities and risk
- Excellent communication skills and evidence of building strong relationships with both internal divisions and customers
- Influencing and networking skills
- Strong awareness of the region and the programming that works across Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in relation to BBC Studios format catalogue and the cultural environments of the territories handled by this role
- Strong presentation skills and the ability to share a compelling vision to a wide spectrum of customers and internal stakeholders
- Full understanding of business financials, products and services, and specific region and account needs
- English language fluency. Proficiency in a second language, in a dialect relevant to the territories handled would be a strong advantage but not a requirement.
- A keen interest and knowledge of the international media business landscape and trends
- Thorough understanding of underlying programme rights and clearances
Professional Experience
- Experience in exploiting formats and programme content on broadcast platforms essential, with direct responsibility in one or more Central and Eastern European territories preferred
- Sales and/or business development experience in a production and/or TV distribution environment
- Account management experience preferred
- Experience working for a global media organisation
- Experience and knowledge of the British – or one or more major Central and Eastern European - television content sectors preferable but not required
#youmakethebbc
About the BBCThe BBC is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from under represented groups. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of their background. We strive to be the best British content company in the world, attracting the best creative talents in the business, so that we can bring premium quality award-winning programmes, content and brands to the viewer no matter where they are.
The BBC Group has set out the first in a new series of bold steps to transform our programming and better represent the public we serve. We have the biggest financial investment to on-air inclusion in the industry, together with our existing commissioning budget, we are committed to throwing open our doors more widely than ever to diverse stories and diverse storytellers. Together with a diverse workforce we will accelerate the pace of change in increasing diversity and inclusion both on and off air
To find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at the BBC, please visit our website.
Band: C
Contract Type: 12 Month FTC
Location: London
Working Pattern: Hybrid Working (Home-based plus two/three days a week in the office)
We are really proud to share that we are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and so if you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply please do contact us at [email protected] with the job reference in the subject. We advertise all our roles on Evenbreak, the specialist job board for disabled candidates
- Flexible/agile working - opportunities across the business. We’re happy to discuss a formal flexible working pattern. 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 the 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 certifications.
- Benefits - We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (plus an additional day which is a Corporation Day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.
