EVP, Operations, Strategy

Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 34808

Job Closing Date:

Los Angeles, USA, 90025

BBC Studios

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. Recent credits, made by BBC Studios Productions and its indie labels, include Happy Valley 3, Frozen Planet II, Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Killing Eve, Am I Being Unreasonable, Grenfell: The Untold Story, Prehistoric Planet, JoJo and Gran Gran, Top Gear, The One Show and Royal and ceremonial events.

Job Purpose

The EVP, Business Development & Commercial Strategy of BBC Studios' Unscripted division in Los Angeles will play a critical strategic and operational leadership role within our award-winning production business. This executive position is central to ensuring the commercial health, financial robustness, and strategic exploitation of one of BBC Studios' most dynamic portfolios - our unscripted television output. From iconic global brands such as Dancing with the Stars and Weakest Link, to emerging formats, digital extensions, and live events, this role ensures that every asset is protected, nurtured, and maximized.

As the primary steward of the unscripted studio's commercial operations, this individual will have end-to-end oversight of the studio's P&L, budget management, commercial exploitation, and financial planning. They will also serve as a key advisor and strategic partner to the President, Unscripted in Los Angeles, ensuring commercial excellence is embedded across all operational and creative activities.

Reporting directly to the President, this role will work in close collaboration with commercial leads and colleagues in Business & Legal Affairs, Finance, Development, Production, and senior stakeholders in the UK and globally. The successful candidate will have a sharp commercial acumen, a deep understanding of production economics, and a passion for building additional value around exceptional content.

This is a full-time, senior executive role based in Los Angeles, California, at the BBC Studios Los Angeles office. Some domestic and international travel may be required.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

P&L Ownership and Financial Oversight

• Full accountability for the financial performance of the Unscripted Studio business.
• Develop, manage, and optimize the annual operating budget in collaboration with Finance, Production, and Leadership teams.
• Monitor profitability across all projects and initiatives, ensuring that all financial targets are met or exceeded.
• Partner with Finance and Production Management teams to forecast and manage cash flow, project margins, cost controls, and overheads.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of financial performance, highlighting risks and opportunities.

Commercial Strategy and Brand Exploitation

• Lead the commercial strategy for flagship brands including Dancing with the Stars, Weakest Link, and other key IP.
• Develop and execute business plans for multi-platform exploitation of core IP, including licensing, merchandising, live events, mobile apps, branded content, and sponsorship.
• Work closely with BBC Studios' UK Brands & Licensing team to ensure alignment on global brand strategy and commercial opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Global Productions Commercial team in the UK on cross-territory deals, format protection, and unified commercial approaches.
• Ensure the integrity, consistency, and protection of brands across all channels and third-party engagements.
• Identify and evaluate new revenue opportunities through brand extensions, secondary rights sales, and digital platforms.

Deal-Making and Commercial Negotiations

• Collaborate closely with Business & Legal Affairs to structure commercially advantageous deals with networks, streamers, sponsors, and brand partners.
• Guide the structuring of co-production agreements, format sales, and distribution deals that optimize long-term value.
• Negotiate key business terms that strike a balance between creative flexibility and commercial return.
• Serve as the primary commercial point of contact in external negotiations where strategic partnerships or brand opportunities are at stake.

Global and Cross-Territory Collaboration

• Act as a key commercial liaison with BBC Studios' UK and international teams, ensuring alignment on strategy, rights management, and brand positioning.
• Work in close partnership with the Brands & Licensing team in the UK to identify opportunities for international brand extension, product development, and commercial partnerships.
• Collaborate with the Global Productions Commercial team in the UK to ensure consistent commercial practices, shared insights, and joined-up approaches to cross-market deal-making.
• Ensure transparent and effective communication across territories to coordinate commercial approaches, manage risk, and maximize global value from each property.
• Participate in regular commercial and strategic planning sessions with UK counterparts to represent the U.S. perspective and contribute to company-wide objectives.

Risk Management and Governance

• Identify commercial and financial risks across projects and take pre-emptive action to mitigate.
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance standards and policies.
• Maintain rigorous controls and reporting systems across all areas of responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

To succeed in this high-impact role, the ideal candidate should be a strategic thinker who can combine a big-picture view with the capacity to engage deeply in detail. This person will be a collaborative leader, excellent communicator, and natural problem solver. Key skills and knowledge will include;

Financial & Commercial Acumen

• Expert-level understanding of P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, and cost tracking.
• Deep knowledge of production accounting and financial modelling specific to TV production.
• Proven ability to interpret financial data to drive decision-making and identify opportunities for margin improvement.
• Skilled in assessing commercial viability and structuring financially sound deals.

Strategic Thinking & Brand Stewardship

• Strong commercial instincts paired with a sensitivity to creative and brand integrity.
• Demonstrated success in scaling and monetizing content brands across multiple platforms.
• Proven track record of driving commercial performance through innovative exploitation strategies.
• Ability to identify and evaluate new market trends and revenue channels.

Negotiation & Deal Structuring

• Exceptional negotiation skills and complimentary experience closing complex commercial agreements.
• Fluency in deal mechanics across network licensing, format rights, brand partnerships, and international distribution.
• Understanding of rights management and IP protection across multiple markets and media types.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Inspirational team leader with a track record of building and mentoring high-performing teams.
• Ability to influence at all levels, including internal stakeholders, senior executives, and external partners.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills—able to present ideas persuasively and manage diverse stakeholder relationships.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to thrive in a matrixed organization.

Global Communication & Relationship Building

• Experience working within an international or global corporate structure.
• Strong understanding of cross-cultural communication, stakeholder alignment, and managing business relationships across time zones.
• A diplomatic and solutions-oriented approach to navigating cross-border challenges.

We're looking for a dynamic, experienced executive who has held senior commercial or finance roles within the media and entertainment sector—ideally with significant exposure to the unscripted television landscape. The ideal candidate will bring the following experience:

• 10+ years of commercial leadership experience in TV production, media, or entertainment.
• Proven success in managing a full P&L, preferably in a creative production environment.
• Extensive experience with TV production budgeting and accounting, and familiarity with cost report review, cash flow tracking, and margin optimization.
• Track record of commercializing TV brands through licensing, distribution, sponsorship, and digital media.
• Experience structuring complex deals with networks, platforms, and international partners.
• Demonstrated leadership of multi-disciplinary teams, including commercial strategy, business affairs, and brand management.
• Experience working within a large global organization or studio, with an understanding of governance and compliance frameworks.
• Experience liaising with UK-based and international colleagues across global territories is highly desirable.

Compensation

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $500,000 to $550,000. 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
• Commuter Benefits
• Gym Reimbursement
• 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.