Posted 02 July, 2026

Head of Constructed Reality

BBC

Salford, MAN, GBR, M50 2QH Full Time

Reference: 48521

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: SL (Senior Leader)

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent/ Full Time

DEPARTMENT: Commissioning

LOCATION: Based either Glasgow or Salford

We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Working to the Director of Entertainment, BBC Content and supporting the BBC’s Value for All strategy, the Head of Constructed Reality is responsible for growing both new and existing Reality brands, and setting an editorial strategy that effectively drives the BBC’s mission to inform, educate and entertain, as well as its ambitions to reach, portray and represent all the UK. You’ll drive the editorial objectives for Constructed Reality output, building on strong relationships with internal and external key partners in order to achieve these.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

Bringing together output from across our growing portfolio of hit shows in the constructed reality space – from major brands like The Apprentice to Race Across the World to The Traitors, this role presents an opportunity to drive a single joined-up strategy for our key factual entertainment brands, with responsibility for many of the BBC’s most-watched shows and one of the most successful and diverse constructed reality slates in the world.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

Provide creative and collaborative leadership within the genre and/or sub-genre(s), with responsibility for constructing and delivering the commissioning strategy across all platforms, in order to maximise audience, reach and appreciation.
Work closely with internal and external partners to develop and innovate a digital strategy which builds our key brands across both BBC services and 3rd party platforms including YouTube.
Develop strong relationships with creative partners, producers and talent, nurturing a diverse supply base across the UK in delivering the BBC’s audience and sector objectives.
Responsible for line management of commissioning teams, to role model the BBC Values, providing strong leadership, supporting career development and performance management as appropriate.
Direct and creatively manage the development process and the shortlisting of proposals, encouraging a risk-taking, innovative approach to ideas development.
Identify key trends in the genre and/or sub-genre(s) and new subject territories for content.
Prioritise and cultivate key UK creative partners to drive the generation and development of British IP, whilst tracking the global marketplace to focus on core territories that are creating global factual entertainment hits.
Build an in-depth understanding of evolving audience requirements, including in relation to digital content, ensuring that new forms of content are being considered as part of the commissioning process.
Champion creative diversity both on and off-air; lead with inclusive behaviours and promote the highest standards of respect at work within and outside the BBC.
Ensure commissions are based on a sound understanding of cost, quality, delivery date, rights exploitation and funding needs, so that the genre and/or sub-genre(s) meets its financial targets and regulatory requirements.
Ensure a clear strategy is in place for dealing with complex duty of care and compliance issues, especially relating to casting and talent considerations, reflecting best practice across the industry.
Contribute, support and facilitate departmental strategies and involvement in wider BBC/departmental initiatives.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

In-depth and demonstrable experience in Constructed Reality Formats.
Track record of identifying, commissioning and delivering Constructed Reality hit programming, including the development or evolution of long running successful formats.
Experience of driving digital innovation and formats, including how to maximise 3rd party platforms, including YouTube, to drive audience growth.
An extensive and demonstrable knowledge of the international market for constructed reality formats with experience in commercial dealings with international partners, managing global formats and proven ability to forge new commercial partnerships.
Ability to formulate a cohesive editorial strategy that can be communicated to partners and successfully delivered in programme slate management.
Extensive experience managing long running programming in terms of compliance and welfare.
Extensive experience of commissioning and delivering flagship series that have grown prime time and iPlayer ratings.
As an expert in your field, ability to provide professional leadership and act as a role model to your team and colleagues.
Adept at managing numerous, diverse senior and executive level stakeholders, often operating under tight timescales and managing numerous competing priorities.
Experience of operating at a senior level in the public sector and/or dealing with external/governmental stakeholders.
Act as the conduit to effective communication and influence across the management team.
A significant understanding of current markets, trends and issues within the broadcasting industry and wider media sector, and deep knowledge of output across the whole of the BBC, as well as that of competitors.
Broad and comprehensive understanding of legal, contractual agreements and regulations as they apply to programme making, broadcasting and digital media.
Extensive experience in managing significant budgets and understanding key financial drivers.

Being a leader at the BBC means putting the organisation’s interest, goals and values first, ahead of individual team or function needs. The characteristics of an enterprise leader are: Focuses on outcomes over activity, adapts quickly, and simplifies complexity. They balance short-term actions with long-term impact, take full accountability for actions and decision-making, and prioritise capability development to create teams fit for the future.

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Contracts of Employment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

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.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

For any general queries, please contact: [email protected]

We are unable to accept applications via CV and only applications made online will be considered. Please click on the APPLY NOW button to proceed with your application.

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