The Role
The Global Acquisitions Manager role focuses on sourcing and acquiring content for UKTV and BBC Studios, negotiating deals, collaborating with stakeholders, and managing a team. The position requires strong commercial acumen and an understanding of the content market.
Summary Generated by Built In
We have an exciting opportunity for an individual to join the Global Acquisitions team on a fixed term contract of (aprox) 8 months. This role will help to ensure the portfolio of BBC Studios (BBCS) linear and non-linear services, including UKTV’s linear channel brands and streaming service U, is supplied with the programming required to hit their performance targets while remaining on budget and on brand.
This key editorial role contributes to the Content Acquisition strategy for UKTV Channels and BBCS branded services. Responsible for sourcing and securing content from external suppliers for our UKTV and international channels and streaming services.
This key editorial role contributes to the Content Acquisition strategy for UKTV Channels and BBCS branded services. Responsible for sourcing and securing content from external suppliers for our UKTV and international channels and streaming services.
What we would like you to bring to the role….key experience, knowledge, skills & personal qualities
- A team player who enjoys collaboration, supports others and understands how they contribute to a high-performing team.
- Extensive negotiation experience gained in content acquisitions for Broadcast or Streaming, or sales and distribution or di Bs.
- Experience of acquiring or selling for the UK and international markets
- Strong commercial acumen and experience negotiating with studios, and major international distributors Possesses a deep understanding of of programme rights, deal terms and pre-buys Across scripted and unscripted
- A proactive and can-do attitude, always seeking solutions.
- A person who loves TV, has an opinion about it, and has a keen editorial eye.
- An understanding of the value of content in the UK and globally.
- Extensive experience of managing, mentoring and developing people on a day to day basis.
- Adaptable and resilient, able to cope with the pressure of managing the demands of a high volume of work, the various needs of different stakeholders, and meeting tight deadlines.
- A strong communicator who can get their point across effectively and is confident in managing expectations to deliver results to realistic timelines.
- Collaboration skills that enable them to problem-solve and produce positive outcomes with a range of stakeholders across the business.
- Ability to use ow initiative with confidence, using judgment to escalate where necessary.
- An understanding of evolving audience requirements and the wider media industry.
- Demonstrable knowledge of the international content market and the ability to assess content pipelines and discern what may or may not work well, and what is editorially appropriate, for UKTV and BBC Studios channels and streaming services.
What you will get to work on….key outputs and responsibilities of the role
- Contribute to the success of our linear and on demand services by sourcing and acquiring content from from distributors across the global.
- Work on brilliant channel brands including Dave, Alibi and BBC Earth as well as streaming brands such as U
- Negotiate complex and interesting deals across multiple territories.
- Work closely with editorial stakeholders across BBCS and UKTV, building and maintaining strong relationships and ensuring effective collaboration and communication
- The sourcing and negotiation of content from external suppliers for our linear and non-linear services, leveraging the businesses’ joint buying power to maximum effect and co-ordinating across the global portfolio of channels and streaming services, including UKTV.
- Ensures that all deals are within the approved budget and return optimal value for money.
- To ensure all deals comply with BBCS and UKTV policies regarding rights, commercial terms, compliance and editorial integrity.
- To work closely with editorial stakeholders across BBCS and UKTV, building and maintaining strong relationships and ensuring effective collaboration and communication.
- To be the expert in the team for our channels and streaming services outside of the UK. Responsible for being the strategic acquisitions lead, having a thorough understanding of these services, being the key contact person in the team for our global editorial teams, and the escalation point for any issues that may arise. Also responsible for ensuring the acquisitions team is fully briefed on any changes to strategy.
- Forging new relationships and building on existing relationships with content producers and distributors, ensuring BBC Studios/UKTV are in a strong position to have first look at titles
- Line management oGlobal Acquisitions Executives and/or Acquisitions Assistant to develop, nurture and support them to do their best work.
- Attend screenings, industry markets and events as required.
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of competitors’ schedules and the wider tv market and a clear understanding of the UKTV and BBCS branded services requirements and priorities
Hybrid-Working
At UKTV, we are working in a hybrid environment with a mixture of home and office working. Getting together in the office as a team and a company gives colleagues an opportunity to build and maintain great relationships, encourages our culture of collaboration and creativity while recognising that colleagues need to have a healthy and happy work-life balance. You’ll agree with your manager the split of time you spend in the office or at home based on the role that you do, how often you come together as a team and your personal preference.
Diversity & Inclusion Commitment
At UKTV, our inclusion vision is to truly represent society in our workforce and on-screen, and create a culture of fairness and respect where we champion difference so that every person feels included and empowered to do their best work. We are committed to ensuring a level playing field at UKTV where all employees and job applicants are given equal opportunity, and that we have diverse voices at the table in everything we do. We welcome applications from everyone and we want UKTV to be a place where you can be your authentic self, give your best and develop your career free from discrimination of any kind.
About
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, U&GOLD, U&alibi and U&eden - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview and Freesat; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV’s content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media. UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
Skills Required
- Extensive negotiation experience in content acquisitions for Broadcast or Streaming
- Experience acquiring or selling for UK and international markets
- Deep understanding of programme rights and deal terms
- Experience managing, mentoring, and developing teams
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
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The Company
What We Do
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, U&eden, U&GOLD, and U&alibi - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview, Freesat and Freely; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV’s content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media. UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
