VP, Communications
Communications
Permanent - Full Time
Job Closing Date: 20/04/2025
THE ROLE
BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group, creatively and financially supporting the BBC, its partners, and the wider industry. We combine the strengths of the UK’s most awarded producer with a world-class distributor. Taking ideas from thought to screen and beyond, our activities range from content financing, development, production, through to global program sales, branded services, consumer products, live events and ancillaries.
Together with our independent production labels and content sales partners, we deliver thousands of hours of content annually to the BBC and other broadcasters and services, including Amazon, Apple TV, Channel 4, Channel Five, Discovery, Disney, National Geographic, Netflix, Migu, PBS, Sky and YouTube. BBC Studios Productions creates high quality, award-winning content across an extraordinary range of genres and specialisms.
Job Purpose
Design, manage and implement wide-ranging strategic and proactive communications and stakeholder affairs for BBC Studios, with the role based in Los Angeles. Responsible for delivering high impact campaigns for the Company’s LA productions unit, as well as promoting and protecting BBC Studios corporate reputation, working with others in the BBC Studios communications team in New York and London.
Line manage team, delegating day to day task management (as appropriate), collaborate with the broader US and Global communications team and build and maintain important industry relationships in the LA media market.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
* Represent BBC Studios, raising the profile of the business and its executives through industry PR activities and publicity - including trade press and award campaigns.
* Function as a strategic communications partner to BBC Studios Senior Leadership.
* Develop, implement and maintain a strong production business narrative that creates excitement around the brand and our content and effectively supports the commercial strategy.
* A clear and strategic approach to supporting commissions/deals.
* Establish strong relationships with partner networks/producers/platforms to ensure prominent positioning for the business and productions, as well as active PR/publicity support for Studios produced programs.
* Create strong awareness of BBC Studios and our executives through impactful speaking opportunities at leading industry events.
* Forge and maintain close links with a wide range of media to maximize publicity opportunities.
* Act as the first point of referral within the team for sensitive or difficult press enquiries relating to BBC Studios operations in the LA market or for problems arising from the day-to-day management of the team, and advising whether upward referral is necessary.
* Lead in crisis management for our productions as necessary.
* Act as key talent management contacts, liaising with agents and productions to ensure strong and fruitful relationships with BBC Studios.
* Position BBC Studios with key industry bodies, guilds, festivals etc. e.g. WGA, PGA, TV Academy, BAFTA/LA, SAG, HFPA, HRTS, plus conferences such as MIP, NATPE, BAFTA (UK), Edinburgh.
* Identify and activate trade events or negotiate and activate sponsorship opportunities to support BBC Studios profile and positioning to the industry.
* Support the Senior Head of Communications, and advise relevant stakeholders on issues, as appropriate, liaising as necessary with relevant parties.
* Ensure best practice, mandatory processes and standards and values contained in the Communications Editorial Compliance & Best Practice Guide and the BBC Editorial Guidelines are followed.
* Support the running of social media channels and assist with the production of assets for use online and in social media.
Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience
Essential strategic capabilities
* Continuously develops a deep understanding of internal business dynamics and the external market landscape; analyses and synthesises insights to craft clear and coherent messages to internal and external audiences.
* Maintains the BBC Studios brand, promoting a purposeful vision that fosters a sustainable competitive advantage. Identifies and manages risks to protect and enhance the brand’s reputation, ensuring it remains strong and trusted in the market.
* Builds the future using innovative communications strategies and activity to deliver commercial strategy and business results, raise awareness of breadth and strength of Studios offer, influence internal culture and increase engagement.
* Builds relationships to facilitate collaboration, joined up strategic thinking and messaging across Studios and the BBC Group leveraging the BBC’s DNA to power our future and aligning the Studios brand with the BBC Masterbrand.
* Transforms real events into compelling stories that influence and engage both internal and external audiences, tailoring the message to resonate with each group and drive impact.
Required Skills and Experience
* A high level of interpersonal skills sufficient to establish and maintain credibility, and effective working relationships and the ability to influence a wide range of contacts – journalists, senior management, editorial staff, talent, industry peers and BBC Studios broader global communications team.
* Proven record of achievement in the publicity, media and/or public relations in the TV/media industry in the LA market.
* Strong news sense with ability to write clear and engaging messages, which stimulates both press and public interest.
* Proven experience and understanding of current communications trends, practices and strategies, including audience research and social media.
* Ability to build strong editorial contacts across all spectrums of the national and trade media in the US.
Job Impact
* Be responsible for the management of the allocated budget within established and agreed guidelines, to include expenditure on press events, printed material, technical facilities, hospitality etc.
* Line management responsibilities for the Communications Coordinator in LA.
Compensation
The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $175,000 to $185,000. This range does not include bonus compensation or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and geographic location of the position. This range is not inclusive of a competitive bonus, flexible, hybrid working schedule & benefits including but not limited to: 100% BBCS covered medical & dental insurance, vision, & 401k match.
Benefits and Perks
* 100% Employer-Paid Medical and Dental Insurance (PPO plans)
* Generous Paid Time Off
* Flexible, Hybrid Working Arrangements
* Work/life balance
* Free Retirement Consulting to All Employees
* Pet Insurance
* Bagel Mondays, Monthly Happy Hours, and more!
About the BBC
We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. 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.
DISCLAIMER
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.
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