Production Manager

BBC Arabic Beirut is looking for a Production Manager to work on its long form programmes produced from Lebanon.
Experience in television is essential, as well as knowledge of current affairs, social trends and issues. Also essential is excellent Arabic and English language skills, both written and spoken. Often working under tight deadlines, must be willingly to work flexibly, travel when necessary and an excellent team player.
In partnership with the editorial team, the Production Manager is responsible for managing on a day to day basis one or more programmes, ensuring delivery of accurate budgets and production planning in a demanding and changing environment.
The Production Manager works to the BBC Arabic Programmes Production Manager in London.
Arabic speakers from all nationalities with demonstrable permit to work in Lebanon are encouraged and welcome to apply.
 
Dimensions
Purpose

 To work in partnership with senior editorial colleagues in WS Languages to deliver outstanding, distinctive, multi-  platform content by providing the best way to realise editorial ambitions within operational and financial constraints.

 To professionally manage multiplatform output areas and production(s), from approval to delivery using  specialist production management skills, knowledge and experience.

 To ensure resilient and effective scheduling, budgeting, payment and compliance systems.

 To manage innovation and change, and to drive continuous improvement throughout production.

 To contribute and maintain a creative and collaborative culture.

 Context

 Post holder at this level report to a Production Manager in London and is

         responsible for the management of one or more output areas or productions, depending on scale and complexity.

 Will work closely with the programme editors to deliver the Production Management needs of the Beirut unit.

 Will be expected to maintain a wide range of internal contacts from across the BBC, and particularly will need good relationships with Finance, HR, Production Operations.

Typical external relationships will be with resource providers, contributors, artists and their agents, freelancers and public officials (e.g. local authorities).

 Decision making authority

Post holders at this level have delegated decision-making authority (from the London Production Manager or equivalent) regarding budgets, resources and day-to-day management of their output areas or production(s), working within BBC guidelines and frameworks.

 Main outputs

Supports the London Production Manager in delivering an effective and professional production management structure

Responsible for scheduling, budgeting and managing the output areas or production(s) in line with Arabic Programmes requirements and relevant BBC frameworks, guidelines and policies. .

Assist editorial colleagues to identify/schedule training and development needs including mandatory.

To assist with the recruitment of new staff, including supporting editorial colleagues on arrangements for interviews, induction, new joiners etc.

To assist in the planning and running of team building and other departmental initiatives.

Oversees, and acts as an escalation point where necessary particularly on duty trips and health and safety.

Responsible for ensuring budgets and payments (to contributors, invoices, copyright clearances, artist requisitions, overseas freelancers) are checked and maintained.

Responsible for ensuring the processing of sanction country payments, vendor set ups, programme acquisitions, SLAs and stringer expenses, and checking contributors against compliance lists where appropriate.

To liaise with internal departments such as Finance, HR.

Contributes to the commissioning and approval process, ensuring resources and editorial aspirations are aligned.

Responsible for identifying and sourcing appropriate resource and location requirements for the production(s) or areas at the earliest possible stage.

Jointly accountable with editorial colleagues for ensuring compliance with BBC policies, guidelines, legislative and regulatory requirements, in order to minimise the BBC’s exposure to risk.

Accountable for ensuring all necessary rights are acquired for the complete delivery of the production(s), escalating any issues at the earliest stage.

Accountable for resolving any operational and financial issues commensurate with the role, and for escalating where necessary.

Jointly accountable with editorial colleagues for delivering demonstrable value for money through effective and efficient management of people and resources.

Responsible for preparing, managing and monitoring production and/or output budgets, and for forecasting and reporting progress in line with best practice.

Responsible for assessing the financial viability of content ideas during production, identifying and mitigating any risks, and escalating issues if necessary.

Jointly accountable with editorial colleagues for ensuring production teams are aware of – and adhere to - the processes for fully and accurately capturing and managing metadata in line with BBC guidelines and policies.

Accountable for ensuring all deliverables are available in a timely manner to fulfil the commission and that post production “paperwork” is complete and accurate.

Responsible (with support from editorial colleagues) for ensuring Information & Archives have the necessary information to efficiently manage the process of retaining or deleting media assets.

Identifies training and development needs of direct reports and ensures performance management arrangements are in place in line with BBC guidelines and policies.

Supports diversity in every aspect of the production(s).

Jointly accountable with editorial colleagues for integrating safety and risk management into the production process. Co-ordinates, monitors and reviews safety and risk arrangements, and, if necessary, seeks expert advice at the earliest possible stage.

Proactively looks for new ways of working to improve efficiency within production.

To undertake special projects where required.

Responsible for efficiently and effectively deploying approved technologies on the production(s).

Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Considerable experience of supporting output areas or productions as Production Manager or similar across a range of output or genres, on time and on budget.

Understanding of the distinctive news agenda of the BBC and in particular World Service Group.

Understanding of the challenges faced by overseas based staff or those deployed to overseas locations, in particular in high risk areas.

Effective project management skills: proven experience of delivering projects.

Demonstrable working knowledge of end-to-end multi-platform production with a level of technical understanding to enable the most efficient production of content.

Highly developed organisational and planning skills - able to schedule and prioritise people and activities to meet operational deadlines.

Strong negotiating skills: able to influence, manage and negotiate deals and contracts in line with BBC policies and guidelines. Thorough knowledge of the market for various types of supplier and resources.

Demonstrable experience of working productively and collaboratively within diverse production teams.

Demonstrates team leadership skills - able to lead and motivate teams across a range of output.

Demonstrable business and finance skills - able to create forecast and manage significant production resource and budgets. Able to interpret an editorial brief, explain commissioning requirements and suggest ideas for maximising the value from productions.

Excellent communication and influencing skills.

Experience of monitoring and managing Health & Safety on a production, supported by recognised formal Health & Safety training (including Risk Assessment, and High Risk Assessment).

Willingness to learn thorough knowledge of the BBC values, its policies, procedures and guidelines and, in particular, the Editorial and Health & Safety Guidelines.

Up-to-date knowledge of the wider industry. .

Willingness to work flexibly and travel.

Strong interpersonal skills communication and organisation.

Demonstrated ability to work in collaboratively, but to demonstrate resilience where required.

Able to balance needs and deadlines of a production with the need for financial control and assist in achieving optimum creative/artistic values within financial constraints.

Competencies
Creative and Analytical Thinking Contributes creative ideas and helps translate them into practical plans. Proactively suggests creative solutions to solve problems and/or to work within resource constraints. Actively contributes to the editorial and production process; works closely with editorial colleagues to balance editorial aspirations with resource and compliance constraints.
Leadership
Shares clear expectations about the levels of performance required, and delegates effectively. Motivates diverse teams and gives clear feedback. Tackles performance issues promptly and gives credit where it’s due. Able to drive change and deliver continuous improvement.
Managing Relationships & Collaboration
Able to build productive relationships across the organisation. Establishes rapport and demonstrates sensitivity to the agenda and priorities of others. Creates an environment in which people support each other and work co-operatively and collaboratively, whilst valuing individual differences. Takes positive steps to improve collaboration with other areas.
 Planning and Organising Actively manages production projects and constructs flexible plans and schedules. Manages many tasks simultaneously to meet multiple demands. Thinks ahead and prioritises activities, considering objectives, timescales, resources and risks.
Decision Making Recognises when to consult, seek consensus or make a decision alone. Critically evaluates relevant information to support decision making, and provides documentation if required. Demonstrates confidence and authority when taking charge of a situation and is prepared to take potentially contentious decisions, when necessary.
Influencing and Persuading Applies influencing and negotiating skills to resolve conflicting objectives and achieve satisfactory outcomes. Gains co-operation from others by listening and responding to their views, knowing when and where to stand one’s ground.
Resilience Sustains performance and remains calm and in control when under pressure or in difficult situations.
Understanding Diversity Understands and appreciates the uniqueness of self and others. Demonstrates, and is committed to improving and understanding diversity. Able to articulate how individual differences can benefit the BBC.