PLEASE DO NOT APPLY IF YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA AS YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION
Programme Management is part of the Distribution & Broadcast Technology department Its core task is to ensure all Channel 4, Film4, E4, More 4, 4Music, 4Seven and VOD programme content is on site, technically acceptable and logged ready for transmission.

JOB PURPOSE
Key co-ordination role between Channel 4, 3rd Party Suppliers and Red Bee Media Services. Also ensures that all programmes are ready and available for transmission and platform delivery.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Selecting the appropriate programme version for broadcast and non-linear/video on demand platforms
Ordering/monitoring the progress of material from the producer or distributor through the workflow, including the tape library, technical review and the editing processes to transmission.
Co-ordinating the freighting, editing, dubbing, transfer of content subtitling, audio description, BSL signing
Arranging and assisting in the captioning of foreign language programmes
First point of contact for the operational and technical programme queries
Prioritizing review work for 3rd Party Red Bee Media Management Operations
Liaising with Red Bee Media, Content Management Services, Transmission, Commissioning as well as production companies, distributors and other 3rd parties
Management and allocation of work to the Compliance Viewers
Programme Logging - identification of part breaks in Acquired content according to Ofcom regulations
Processing invoices and running reports
Arranging the supply of programme files and creating dubs and clips of content
Management and housekeeping of C4 archive including return of loan tapes
Identifying Tx risk programmes which require Standbys to be nominated by Channel Management

JOB FACTORS

Technical & Professional Skills (Knowledge, Understanding, Experience, Education)
Previous technical experience in broadcasting or trafficking is essential so that complex picture and audio problems and repairs are addressed
Deal with all rejected programme material to supply guidance/clear instructions to VT Engineers and Post Production Editors for technical fixes
Time management and decision making skills are required so that programmes are ready for transmission
Technical knowledge of the Ofcom compliance code, certification and advertising regulations
Wide breadth of knowledge required across many areas of C4 in order to advise and assist Content suppliers, Commissioning, Press and C4 partners.

Autonomy/Judgement/Decision Making
Works with operational independence using discretion and taking calculated risks with a broad variety of matters
Require guidance for non-standard contract agreements and queries regarding rights issues or payment for deliverables
Must take steps to ensure programmes are ready and fit for transmission which may mean that calculated risks are taken on behalf of the business e.g. emergency editing to remove inappropriate content minutes from transmission
Priorities are largely self-determining with each person managing one or two channels. Each Manager will be familiar with their programmes and the peculiarities of their particular channel, commissioning editors and acquisitions teams
Constraints are time limitations - every programme has a transmission slot and every process takes a certain amount of time
Risks include locking the wrong version of a programme to the transmission slot which can result in an Ofcom fine or license penalties or loss of Commercial revenue. Authorising emergency edits due to technical/editorial issues when there is no time to return material to producers or commissioning teams are out of contact.
Incorrect Programme Logging leading to on-air errors
Ordering wrong formats/files and authorising wrong freight shipments
Failure to prioritize work for Red Bee Media and poor Late List List management

Managing Resources (People, Budgets, Systems, Projects)
Outsourced responsibility:
Management of outsourced programme reviews with Red Bee. Direct contact with technicians, supplying guidance on priorities and decision making
Responsible for foreign language subtitlers
Housekeeping C4 archive stored at DH Airfreight

Budgetary responsibility:
Cost of HD series and films
Freight invoices
Foreign language subtitling
Involves work allocation and support to both Compliance Viewers and foreign language subtitling teams

Relationship Management (internal, External, 3rd parties)
Key people worked with includes manager and immediate team, senior managers and HODs, external clients and third party suppliers but is not focused on one particular aspect
May spend considerable time explaining and interpreting information for producers and distributors so they have a clear understanding the technical requirements of C4.
Often required to remind Producers of Ofcom regulations if they are pushing the boundaries with fast editing or flashing lights. Much time is spent on the telephone talking to producers, commissioning and acquisitions about all the aspects of programme content, versioning and delivery issues
Role requires communication across the business and third party suppliers so that strong relationships are developed along with sound open communication
Managers will be working for multiple stakeholders dealing with conflicting priorities and gaining consensus. This is very much part of the role e.g. rejection of programmes back to Producers to rectify or discussions about late programme delivery
Required to allocate work to 3rd party technicians who perform technical programme reviews and ensure that work is fully performed to an acceptable standard.
Logging of programmes for Content Management Services so PPS schedules are as complete as possible for sending to Playout

Complexity/Problem Solving
Problem resolution is focused on TV programmes being ready for completion e.g. correct format, C4's technical specification and contractual agreements. Communicating with producers and facility companies about the C4 style and various technical problems. Judgements on how long a fix or proposed solution will take is critical to the delivery of a finished programme for transmission
Problems are mostly familiar from an operational sense and can be a mixture of departmental and cross-functional issues
In depth analysis and practical problem solving skills are required for technical or processing problems. Resolving issues in order to avoid them in the future e.g. with third party suppliers such as Mirriad and Product Placement versions

Business Impact/Strategic Perspective
Role impacts on the short term objectives of multiple teams/customer relationships
Role has a high impact on the processing of programmes for transmission.
Objectives are typically short to medium term with the key objectives of getting programmes ready including the additional services and logged for transmission.
Impact of regulatory framework from Ofcom in the form of compliance is a key part of the role