THE ROLE
BBC1 multi-award winning, high-end crime drama, Silent Witness, is looking for an experienced drama Line Producer to join the show.
As fans of the show will know, lead character, Nikki, has been tasked with setting up a forensic centre of excellence in Birmingham – so this role will be based at the production’s new home in Digbeth, West Midlands.
With overall responsibility for the budget and well-being, the Line Producer is the linchpin of production. In addition to managing a large production management team, you will work closely with the Production Exec and Exec to balance ambition with budget, and support bold, adventurous storylines.
You will build and nurture strong and open relationships across all departments, being a point of escalation for issues relating to cast and crew. You will be a confident and assertive leader and have experience of managing HETV drama budgets.
The role is based at The Bond, Digbeth. We need the Line Producer to be available to be in the office 5 days per week. There may be times when working from home is possible but we need someone who lives local to the set.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
• Take a lead in balancing creative aspirations with financial and resource constraints
• Manage, update and rework the budget. Knowledge of Movie Magic Budgeting is essential
• Understand editorial ambitions of the programme and offer cost effective solutions
• Draft, negotiate and manage overall production plans/schedules and operational logistics, identifying effective use of staff and resources and advising on alternative approaches, facilities and suppliers as appropriate within budgetary constraints
• Ensure successful delivery of programmes to budget and schedule without sacrificing creative integrity through effective planning, monitoring and control of the production
• Ensure the production team understands and carries out responsibilities for ensuring all programmes meet copyright, legal, commercial rights, metadata management and delivery requirements, etc
• Build, lead, motivate and inspire a team of production management staff and all other direct reports, setting objectives that support the strategic aims for the Production support
• Take the lead on driving forward any strategies on new ways of working for a BBC Drama including changes arising from new technology, development of multiplatform content and media asset management
• Ensure the Production complies with all BBC policies and guidelines, including upholding Editorial Values, compliance with Health and Safety regulations, employment policies and BBC Studio Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Ensure the Production’s continued commitment to training in the West Midlands, working closely with BBC Studios Training Academy
• Working closely with the Production Executive to implement and manage sustainability practices
• Working closely with the Production’s Access Co-ordinator, ensuring that access and adjustments are made for for all Deaf, Disabled or Neurodivergent (DDN) cast and crew
WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
• Experience as a Production Manager or Line Producer working in drama – ideally HETV
• Experience of reconciling artistic aspiration with financial constraint
• Thorough knowledge of the production process, including studio/location, live/pre-recorded processes, craft roles and facility/technical requirements
• Experience of working in a role where you have worked strategically, using lateral thinking and quick decision making skills, challenging assumptions and developing and driving new ways of working
• Experience of recruiting, leading, managing and motivating production teams, demonstrating motivational and inspirational leadership to maintain a creative and collaborative and high performing culture
• Knowledge of internal and external resource and facilities markets and market costs and knowledge to assess competence of contractors/suppliers to meet BBC requirements
• Enthusiasm, interest and knowledge of Silent Witness
