Senior Programming Manager, CEE & MENAT

JOB DETAILS

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time
DEPARTMENT: BBC Studios
LOCATION: Prague, Czech Republic - Hybrid (3 days a week in office, 2 days working from home)
WORK HOURS: 40 hour week
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: CZK 91,667 - 133,333 per month (gross) depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience plus an on-target bonus of 15%, depending on company performance. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

WE ARE BBC STUDIOS

A globally renowned media company born from the BBC, we create and distribute some of the world's most sought-after TV, audio and digital content. Our ambition is to be the home of the most powerful, entertaining and inspiring stories for audiences everywhere.

Across CEE & MENAT, we operate a portfolio of premium channel brands including BBC Earth, BBC News, BBC First, BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies, alongside BBC Player, serving one of the world's most diverse and dynamic media regions.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

The Programming team shapes the content strategy and performance of our premium entertainment brands across CEE & MENAT. Combining audience insight, acquisitions, scheduling and performance analysis, we identify and deliver content that drives audience growth, strengthens brand positioning and builds viewer loyalty.

This highly visible role sits at the heart of content decision-making. You'll help identify, acquire and schedule programming that grows audiences and enhances brand performance across multiple markets, while working with leading global content partners.

Based in Prague and part of an international regional structure, you'll work closely with teams in Warsaw and collaborate across the wider region.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Senior Programming Manager, CEE & MENAT, is responsible for developing and delivering audience-first editorial and programming strategies across BBC Studios' channels and non-linear portfolio. Using data, market insight and cross-functional collaboration, you'll drive content performance, optimise audience engagement and support strategic decision-making.

The role also provides leadership to a team of Programming Managers, fostering a high-performance culture and ensuring delivery of best-in-class content experiences across platforms.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

Strategic Editorial & Content Leadership

• Develop and lead audience-first editorial and scheduling strategies for BBC channels in the region across CEE & MENAT, aligned with long-range plans and regional priorities.
• Shape content strategies to drive acquisition, engagement, and retention, with a focus on Polish and CEE markets, informed by audience insights and performance analysis.
• Provide strategic recommendations on genre mix, title selection, and portfolio gaps, ensuring propositions are future-fit across linear, VOD, and digital platforms.
• Translate long-term strategies into actionable acquisition briefs, collaborating with Research & Insights and Acquisition teams.

Portfolio Planning & Operational Excellence

• Lead annual and quarterly planning cycles, delivering strategic schedules that meet audience needs, regulatory requirements, and financial targets.
• Oversee operational planning and financial balancing, leveraging data-driven tools for portfolio optimization and performance tracking.
• Maintain oversight of the buying model, assessing supply trends and informing commissioning frameworks.

Performance Management & Collaboration

• Contribute to the regional performance framework, monitoring risks and opportunities and ensuring mitigation plans address gaps promptly.
• Collaborate across Programming, Marketing, Research, Finance, and Acquisitions to deliver integrated, audience-led solutions and optimise ROI.

Team Leadership & Development

• Line-manage and motivate Programming Managers, setting clear standards, allocating work effectively, and fostering continuous improvement.
• Promote teamwork and embed BBC Studios' values - Ambition, Clarity, Ownership, and Respect - while driving efficiency and best practices.
• Ensure adherence to policies and planning timetables, supporting professional development and operational excellence.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

ESSENTIAL CRIERTIA :

• Experience working in a television scheduling or related environment, with an understanding of financial and operational impacts on schedules.
• Strong data literacy, with the ability to work fluently with and across data - from extraction and manipulation to strategic interpretation and application.
• Deep understanding of the broadcasting landscape, including how TV and online content is commissioned, financed, produced, and scheduled.
• Strategic awareness of evolving audience behaviours and their impact on service delivery and content planning. Maintains a broad strategic overview while understanding local market dynamics.
• Experience leading and developing teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of presenting complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Professional fluency in both Czech and English, with the ability to communicate confidently with internal stakeholders, external partners and regulatory bodies.

DESIRED NOT REQUIRED:

• Industry & strategic expertise - experience in media, entertainment, or digital video sectors.
• Proficient in Excel and data analysis, capable of translating complex datasets into actionable insights that inform programming, scheduling, and commissioning.
• Skilled in managing large volumes of information, identifying key trends, and maintaining focus on long-term objectives while tracking day-to-day detail.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, complex budgets and applying financial principles to content strategy.
• Experience leading strategic planning cycles, managing quotas, and delivering forward schedules that balance creative ambition with regulatory and financial constraints.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility across senior leadership and collaborate effectively across departments
• Proven ability to think strategically, anticipate challenges, and propose creative solutions.
• Strong appreciation of editorial compliance considerations
• Additional language skills, particularly Polish, would be advantageous given the regional scope of the role.

NEXT STEPS

We appreciate your interest in this position and understand how important this opportunity is to you. Due to the high volume of interest we may need to close the application period earlier than anticipated. This step is necessary to ensure we can provide a high level of attention and service to all applicants. Thank you for your understanding.

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