At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and deliver digital-first commissioning plans for children's content.
- Company: Join the BBC, the UK's leading Children's broadcaster.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a creative and collaborative team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on beloved children's content reaching millions.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex commissioning plans and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 74000 £ per year.
Location: Salford – Hybrid
Proposed Salary Range: £60,000 - £74,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights. We’re happy to discuss flexible working.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
BBC Children’s & Education is looking for a fixed‑term Senior Planning Manager to play a critical role in shaping and delivering our digital‑first commissioning ambitions. This is a high‑impact role at the centre of planning, rights, and digital distribution—supporting how world‑class children’s content reaches audiences in a fast‑evolving media landscape.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
The BBC is the leading Children’s broadcaster in the UK, reaching millions of kids aged 0‑12 each week with some of the biggest and best‑loved global brands; from pre‑school animations like Hey Duggee and Bluey, to stand‑out dramas The Next Step and Jamie Johnson FC and award‑winning Factual Entertainment like Operation Ouch! and Horrible Histories.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT
- Translate the department’s strategy into detailed digital‑first commissioning plans and slates, ensuring alignment with editorial priorities and platform needs.
- Manage the digital‑first commissioning slate and associated budgets, including forecasting, tracking and financial reporting.
- Lead the set‑up of a digital‑first commissioning framework, including submissions and rights models.
- Define and oversee YouTube scheduling strategy, working with Senior Channel Managers to deliver publishing plans.
- Drive and implement windowing strategies across platforms in collaboration with senior stakeholders, ensuring content performance against competitors.
- Own and manage the holdback release process and tracking across all content (catalogue and new commissions), working closely with Rights, Business Affairs and partners.
- Build and manage international co‑production relationships with global public broadcasters and children’s content partners.
- Lead significant cross‑functional projects within the team.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
- Strong experience managing complex commissioning plans, budgets and financial reporting in a digital video environment.
- A deep understanding of children’s content commissioning, rights management and distribution across digital and linear platforms.
- Knowledge of windowing strategies, platforms and audience behaviour for children’s content.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels across editorial, commercial and operational teams.
- A strategic mindset, balancing long‑term planning with day‑to‑day delivery and operational detail.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
- Knowledge and experience working with YouTube, including platform functionality and optimisation strategies.
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.
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.
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: reasonable.adjustments@bbc.co.uk
Senior Scheduling Planner in Eccles employer: BBC Group and Public Services
The BBC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Salford that fosters creativity and innovation within the children's broadcasting sector. With a commitment to flexible working arrangements, competitive salaries, and a strong focus on employee development, the BBC provides numerous opportunities for growth and collaboration on impactful projects that reach millions of children. Join us to be part of a team that shapes the future of children's content in a supportive and inclusive culture.
Contact Details:
BBC Group and Public Services Recruitment Team
