At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead international production teams to ensure world-class standards and compliance across global formats.
- Company: Join the BBC, a leader in global entertainment and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape iconic TV productions.
- Other info: Embrace a collaborative culture with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on beloved shows seen by audiences worldwide.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in television production and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 115000 £ per year.
The Director of International Production Operations is a senior role within BBCS Global Production, leading a team of production consultants who are responsible for ensuring world‑class production standards and consistent editorial compliance, as well as supporting strong commercial production performance across the Global Production network. The role acts as a central partner to international BBCS production teams (in 10 countries ex UK) and international licensees, ensuring format productions and adaptations comply with BBC Editorial Policies and Production Bibles for all owned and licensed formats.
The Director of International Production Operations will assume direct responsibility for driving commercial improvements and for leading production margin-enhancing projects across BBCS Global Production, supporting BBCS production offices to unlock efficiencies and synergies across the group. The International Production consultancy unit (led by Head of International Production consultancy) will report directly into the Director of International Production Operations. This unit will provide expert (editorial) guidance and support to BBC Studios’ international production and sales teams across all aspects of producing scripted and unscripted BBCS formats, including Dancing With The Stars, Bake Off, Weakest Link, 1% Club, Ghosts and The Office.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT
- Production Consultancy, Editorial Compliance & Governance: Ensure world class production consultancy services are provided on all the key format brands by the Head of Production Consultancy and team. Work with and mandate the Head of Production Consultancy to act as senior production lead for ensuring compliance with BBC Editorial Guidelines, values, and standards across all international productions. Ensure consistent application and evolution of Production Bibles for all TV formats, safeguarding brand integrity while enabling local creative flexibility. Support the Head of Creative Network to deliver the ‘creative exchanges’ for the key format titles such as Dancing With The Stars and Bake Off. Partner with Editorial Policy, Legal, Business Affairs, and Risk teams to manage editorial risk, compliance issues, and escalations. Serve as a trusted senior advisor to international production teams on all aspects of producing TV formats, including budgeting, scheduling, crewing, health & safety, and delivery. Support productions as requested through various: greenlight, pre production, production, post production, and delivery. Act as a connector between central teams and local production companies, ensuring best practice is shared across the group. Provide hands on support as requested to complex, high-risk, or high-value productions.
- Commercial Performance & Margin Delivery: Support production offices to improve production margins through sharing learnings regarding cost control, scalable workflows and smart production planning etc. Partner with Finance and Production Executives to review and challenge budgets, schedules, and resourcing models. Develop benchmarks and KPIs to track production efficiency, cost performance, and margin delivery across the network. Identify and implement opportunities to reduce waste, duplication, and inefficiencies in production operations. Identify and pursue production synergies across the global group, including shared resources, talent pools, suppliers, technology, and workflows. Lead initiatives to standardise production processes where appropriate, while respecting local market needs. Foster a strong global production community, encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and cross territory working. Pro-actively seek out opportunities around (production) tax incentives. Pro-actively seek out production ‘hub model’ opportunities / optimisation and production services. Support improved efficiencies in post production models.
- AI & Innovation Leadership: Act as the senior production lead on AI enabled production efficiencies, working closely with Technology, Digital, and Editorial teams, enabling production efficiencies. Identify, pilot, and scale AI tools across development, production, post production, compliance, and delivery (e.g. scripting, casting, scheduling, logging, compliance review, translation). Ensure all AI usage aligns with BBC values, editorial standards, legal frameworks, and ethical guidelines. Drive cultural adoption of innovation and continuous improvement across production teams.
- Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with senior creative, editorial, commercial, legal, finance, and technology stakeholders. Represent Production Network interests at senior leadership forums and greenlight committees. Act as an ambassador for production excellence internally and externally.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- ESSENTIAL CRITERIA: Extensive senior level experience in television production, ideally across multiple genres and international markets. Proven track record of delivering complex productions on time and on budget, with strong margin performance. Experience working with global production networks and supporting local teams across diverse territories. Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance creative ambition and financial discipline. Demonstrated leadership in driving operational change, efficiency, and standardisation at scale. Strong stakeholder management skills and credibility with senior creatives and executives. Deep understanding of BBC Editorial Guidelines and compliance frameworks.
- DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED: Experience working with format based productions and maintaining production bibles across territories. Hands on experience implementing AI or advanced production technologies in a broadcast or content environment. Experience in post merger integration or scaling international production operations. Knowledge of international regulatory environments and broadcaster delivery requirements.
LEADERSHIP & BEHAVIOURS: Acts as a role model for BBC values, editorial integrity, and ethical production. Collaborative, inclusive, and culturally aware leadership style. Confident decision-maker, comfortable operating in high risk and high pressure environments. Pragmatic, solutions focused, and resilient. Curious and forward thinking, with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
TRAVEL: Significant international travel required.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES: The company is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all backgrounds.
Director of International Production Operations employer: BBC Studios
Join BBC Studios, a leader in global television production, where you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering world-class content across international markets. With a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and employee development, we offer a vibrant work culture that values diversity and encourages professional growth. Located in the heart of London or Amsterdam, this role provides unique opportunities for international travel and engagement with industry-leading teams, making it an exciting place to advance your career in production operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of International Production Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its productions. Know their key formats and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about what you bring to the table and how you can help improve production margins and efficiency. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of International Production Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director of International Production Operations role. Highlight your experience in television production and how it aligns with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your past roles; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to deliver complex productions on time and on budget, as well as your strong commercial acumen.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who embodies BBC values and has a collaborative spirit, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining our global team.
How to prepare for a job interview at BBC Studios
✨Know Your Formats
Familiarise yourself with the key TV formats mentioned in the job description, like Dancing With The Stars and Bake Off. Understand their production processes and how they align with BBC Editorial Guidelines. This will show your genuine interest and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-pressure environments. Highlight your experience in driving operational change and efficiency, as this role requires strong leadership to manage diverse international teams.
✨Understand Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your approach to balancing creative ambition with financial discipline. Share specific instances where you improved production margins or implemented cost control measures, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your stakeholder management skills by discussing how you've built strong relationships with senior creatives and executives in past roles. This will be key in showing that you can represent production interests effectively across various teams.
