Senior Acquisitions Manager

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Job Title: Senior Acquisitions Manager
Reports to: Head of Acquisitions
Department: Content Strategy and Planning
Status: Permanent
Location: London
Job Grade: L2

JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the Head of Acquisitions, the Senior Acquisitions Manager will support the delivery of Channel 4's acquired content strategy across the portfolio, with particular responsibility for film and scripted pre-buys. The role will identify, evaluate and negotiate high-value content opportunities, manage film acquisitions activity and stock planning, and help deliver acquired programming effectively for transmission and streaming, while flexing across unscripted and series negotiations where required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead film acquisitions activity, including the selection, negotiation and purchase of feature films, stock management, film season planning and strategic planning of future film deals and supply across the portfolio.
• Support the development and delivery of the scripted pre-buy strategy, identifying priority opportunities and ensuring activity is aligned with portfolio, channel and streaming needs.
• Own day-to-day engagement with named studios and suppliers, supporting the Head of Acquisitions on overall relationship ownership and managing relevant negotiations within agreed parameters.
• Ensure film and scripted pre-buy priorities are clearly represented in slate-level planning, studio engagement and wider portfolio discussions, bringing together market insight, stock analysis, ROI considerations and channel programming needs.
• Track, assess and evaluate market submissions, screeners, treatments and supporting materials, maintaining a clear view of content opportunities under consideration and supporting pitches for new acquisitions.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure acquired programming progresses smoothly from deal negotiation through to delivery, transmission and streaming.
• Line manage, support and develop the Acquisitions Manager, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture, and deputise for the Head of Acquisitions where required.

Essential Skills and Experience

• A minimum of five years' experience negotiating studio/high-value deals within an acquisitions, distribution or a closely related content rights environment.
• Established relationships with key suppliers, distributors, studios and producers across the international content market.
• A skilled negotiator with a proven track record of negotiating linear, on-demand, series and feature film deals.
• Strong understanding of Channel 4's content strategy, audience needs and the role of acquisitions across the wider portfolio.
• Strong understanding of the evolving transmission, streaming and rights landscape, including emerging technologies, partners and platforms.
• Excellent understanding of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and its application to acquired content.
• Excellent time-management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple negotiations, projects and stakeholder requirements concurrently.
• A strong team player with management experience and the ability to support, develop and collaborate effectively across teams.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience of scripted pre-buys, underpinned by strong market insight and a clear understanding of key international players, supplier dynamics and emerging commercial opportunities.
• Ability to think creatively and commercially, challenge established approaches and adapt quickly to a fast-moving content landscape and evolving business strategy.

Basic salary per annum starting from£89,250.00

Benefits

There are a million reasons why it's great to work at Channel 4, here are just a few of the perks for you;

• Private medical insurance
• Free Virtual GP access for employees
• Free Female Health hormone test each year
• Free Tastecard membership
• Access to financial wellbeing resources
• Discounted Gym memberships
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Holiday Purchase
• Hybrid working from September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week.
• Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days.
• Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week.
• All our offices are open five days a week.

Applications Close Date08 Oct 2026

Equal OpportunitiesChannel 4's purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK.

We are only able to deliver on this remit by having a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background and lived experience. As an employer we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Disability Confident Scheme: Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and has also maintained the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension's Disability Confident scheme - Level 3: Leader. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, we aim to offer an interview to all candidates who have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and who meet the essential criteria for an advertised job. If you wish your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please select yes when completing the application questions. For more information, please visit the Disability Confident Campaign website.

Care Leaver Friendly Employer: Channel 4 is a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. By signing the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopting its principles, we are supporting an immensely talented yet often under-served and under-represented community of young people/ adults. We commit to offering an interview (and constructive feedback) to applicants who identify as care experienced and meet the essential criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. Applicants should indicate if they wish to apply under our Care Leaver Scheme by selecting the option on the application form.

Workplace Adjustments: We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field when applying for a job and support whilst employed to perform to the best of their ability and develop their careers. If you have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and require any adjustments, additional support or alternative arrangements during the recruitment and wish to discuss this confidentially, please let us know via the following e‑mail recruitment@channel4.co.uk

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