Controller of Distribution Partnerships

You will need to login before you can apply for a job.

Job Introduction

From the birth of radio through TV, internet, mobile and now voice and virtual reality, the BBC has been at the forefront of broadcasting for over 100 years. The BBC is the most popular media brand in the UK and one of the most trusted around the world. We reach 96% of the UK every week on TV, radio and online (such as via iPlayer, the number one video streaming service in the country).

In Distribution & Business Development (D&BD), we ensure that the BBC’s public services are innovative, prominent and available to all, now and in the future. The Distribution Partnerships team manages the relationships with organisations that wish to make the BBC’s products and services (e.g. BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds) available on their devices and platforms when they are released into the UK market.

We plan and manage the distribution of the BBC’s services on new and emerging digital platforms, working at the intersection of media, technology, business and strategy.

Media companies are facing challenges and opportunities like never before. Access to content and the audience’s attention has never been more competitive. If solving these challenges and exploiting these opportunities at one of the world’s greatest brands feels exciting, then this could be the role for you.

We are seeking an exceptional candidate to lead our Distribution Partnerships team, responsible for the carriage of BBC products and services on third party platforms. This is an opportunity to work within a world leading content creator, partner with the most innovative and popular manufacturers and platforms, work with cutting-edge creatives and technologists – and to help reinvent broadcasting for the next generation.

Main Responsibilities

We are looking for a talented individual, passionate about the role of public service, to lead the Carriage team within the BBC’s D&BD department and to build on that success.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading a team of around 10 people of varying levels
• Building and ongoing development of the strategic account management of the BBC’s key distribution partnerships
• Developing and implementing the BBC’s tactical approach to the distribution of the BBC’s products and services via third party platforms, devices and operating systems
• Leading the negotiations with high profile distribution partners for the carriage of our products and services
• Manage distribution for the launch of new BBC products and services
• Translating the BBC’s distribution strategy into clear requirements for the BBC’s engineering, technical and R&D teams
• Defining how the BBC’s approach to generative AI and large language models (LLMs) and its use by third parties can be used to benefit our distribution activities
• Making a significant contribution to the BBC’s objectives for and approach to distribution for the upcoming Media Act consultations and Charter renewal process
• Devising the BBC’s approach to secure the successful distribution of its products and services in vehicles
• Acting as a role model for collaboration, inclusion, productivity and the BBC’s values

Are You The Right Person?

The years ahead are pivotal for the BBC. Within the next 12 months the most significant media legislation for 20 years will come into force and the BBC must ensure its implementation appropriately meets the challenges we face now and long into the future. In 2027 the BBC will seek to renew its Charter and Agreement and may face a new licence fee regime.

The Distribution Partnerships team will play a vital role in setting the conditions for carriage, universality and engagement through the renewal process.

We are therefore looking for someone with skills and experience in:

• Leadership: Successful track record of leading teams to success across key business areas. A well-known figure in the media industry with an extensive network across the industry. Empowering and motivating teams to grow and develop productively and develop positive work environments
• Negotiation: Demonstrable experience of leading successful complex, high-value negotiations as well as demonstrating creative and innovative approaches to deal making across a diverse range of partnerships. You relish the creative deal-making process however are also adept at working with lawyers and contracts
• Fluency in Technology: Demonstrate a clear understanding of the technologies underlying TV and audio products and services and the requirements for successful integration within third party platforms
• Strategic Enthusiasm and Curiosity: Demonstrate an informed understanding of how technology developments are changing the media landscape and how this can be exploited to the benefit of audiences. Experience of formulating and influencing policy, writing industry papers that have helped shape the distribution landscape, working with government and regulators
• Influence: An expert at building trusted business partnerships and savvy at the stakeholder management across all levels of an organisation, particularly at ‘C’ Suite. Expertly able to communicate and summarise complex concepts in the public forum and during presentations
• Collaboration and Confidence: Adaptable, solutions-focused and with the know how to lead with an inclusive mindset that models the BBC Values

About the BBC

We’re happy to discuss flexible working. 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 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 certification.
• Benefits – we offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (1 of which is a corporation day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.

Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual’s unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise. #J-18808-Ljbffr