JOB DETAILS
JOB TITLE: Senior Alternative Funding and Commercial Partnership Manager, Natural History Unit.
JOB BAND: E
CONTRACT TYPE: 18 months FTC with potential to extend
DEPARTMENT: BBC Studios Natural History Unit (NHU)
LOCATION: Bristol OR London – Hybrid
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £80,000 – £110,000 (with eligibility for participation in the Company bonus scheme) depending on relevant skills, knowledge, and experience.
START DATE: April 2026
WE ARE BBC STUDIOS
A globally renowned media company borne of the BBC. We make and distribute 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 people all around the world.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
Join the world‑leading BBC Studios Natural History Unit to drive the growth of alternative and brand partnerships that underpin our globally recognised storytelling. As Senior Alternative Funding and Commercial Partnership Manager, you will shape and secure funding strategies that maximise the value, reach and impact of NHU content, helping to bring ambitious natural history projects to life for audiences worldwide.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
The NHU unites world‑leading filmmakers, producers and specialists whose landmark work - from Planet Earth and Green Planet to Kingdom and Dynasties - has set the global standard for natural history storytelling. Recent productions such as The Americas for NBCU, and Big Cats 24/7 continue to expand the Unit's reach and ambition.
By joining this team, you'll play a pivotal role in enabling them to deliver even more ambitious, world‑defining content. Through strategic partnerships with philanthropists, charities and brands, you'll help unlock new scale, innovation and creative freedom - empowering the NHU to pursue groundbreaking ideas and bring transformative projects to life for audiences around the world and across many platforms. This role is largely external-facing and will work closely with the Director of Commercial and Operations to ensure strategic NHU goals are met through key partnerships.
Your Key Responsibilities And Impact
Sourcing commercial partners and alternative funding: actively seek out funding within the market alongside producers, by pitching NHU content to potential funding partners, with a view to securing commercial funding.
Business model development: with the Director of Commercial and Operations, develop business models across digital platforms, OTT channels, branded content, trade partners and media agencies.
Revenue generation: identify and secure new forms of revenue, such as digital opportunities, merchandising, new platforms, and other emerging income streams.
Return on investment: supporting the Director of Commercial and Operations in maximizing the IP value and ROI of titles both in production and on the development slate
Market intelligence: maintain awareness of global trends and attend festivals, markets, and partner meetings worldwide.
Client and Partnership Management: maintain strong relationships with key partners and potential partners in the alt funding and alternative platform space. Be a point of contact throughout the lifecycle of the project, along with the appropriate editorial lead.
Work closely with the Director of Commercial and Operations and Senior Leadership Team, to ensure the development slate aligns with market opportunities
BBC policy compliance: Ensure all commercial activity aligns with BBC commercial policy and Fair Trading Guidelines.
Essential Criteria
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Extensive senior manager-level experience in commercial deal‑making and business development, including within the alternative funding sphere.
Proven ability to work with and influence creative and production teams.
Confidence in pitching complex projects.
Substantial sales and/or negotiating experience.
Strong understanding of global media markets, including philanthropic, branded and digital landscapes, supported by a strong network of contacts.
Experience in the television industry and knowledge of the global content markets including competitors, buyers, and platforms.
Line management experience.
Desired But Not Required
Experience working in a matrix organisation.
Experience of building and developing successful teams.
Interest in natural history content and passion for the natural world.
Knowledge of contractual, copyright and rights valuation processes.
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.
Redeployment
The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.