Start date: Mon 4th Jan 2027 – 25th June 2027 Contract: Freelance (PAYE) Base: Bristol, with weeks on location in Central London. Shoot Week: 10th May – 22nd May (including rig + rehearsals) Interviews: 16th/17th/18th December 2026
SUBJECT TO GREENLIGHT BBC Studios Natural History Unit is home to some of the UK’s most-loved and award winning series, including Countryfile, Gardeners’ World, and Blue Planet 3. We are now seeking an experienced Production Manager to join the team delivering Chelsea Flower Show 2027 – one of the BBC’s flagship programmes and a highlight of the broadcasting calendar.
This role works closely with the Series Editor to lead a large, on site team and oversee the delivery of 14 hours of live and pre recorded programming across an intensive week of coverage. We are looking for a candidate who is a strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, proven problem solving abilities, and a positive, can do attitude. Successful candidates will be managing different elements of the production at once so will require strong multi-tasking skills, proactive thinking, and strong attention to detail. A genuine passion for the horticultural world is also highly valued. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in producing one of the BBC’s most prestigious and well loved live events.
The Production Manager will be responsible for all aspects of production management, including:
- end to end planning and scheduling,
- budget oversight and forecasting,
- staffing and resource management,
- oversee the planning, scheduling, and delivery of all pre shot VTs,
- coordinate the complex logistical operation of the week long live OB at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea,
- ensure compliant, safe, and smooth operational delivery throughout.
Main Responsibilities
- Responsibility for scheduling, budgeting and managing the production from pre-production through to delivery.
- Responsibility for managing, reporting and forecasting the budget for the production.
- Have experience of managing a large team in a deadline driven environment.
- Be able to effectively lead a large team which includes PC’s, PMAs and Runners.
- Ensure the smooth running of location shoots involving members of the public.
- Oversee the planning, scheduling, and delivery of all pre shot VTs, working closely with editorial teams to manage shoots, workflows, edits, and final post production delivery.
- Provide timely and accurate comms to the large production team of on-screen talent and craft freelancers.
- Have a firm understanding of health and safety needs at a large public-facing events.
- Negotiate effectively with suppliers to secure the highest quality services and best value for the BBC.
- Maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders across the production.
- Be an effective communicator, including experience dealing with high-profile talent, including liaising regarding scheduling commitments and logistics.
- Have an understanding of BBC Compliance procedures, and adhering to the Editorial Guidelines, as well as completing the I&RP Ofcom Compliance forms.
- Ensuring compliance with GDPR and BBC data protection policies.
- Championing environmentally responsible practices and ensure compliance with Albert certification.
- Assisting in ensuring compliance with BBC policies, guidelines legislative and regulatory requirements, in order to minimise the BBC’s exposure to risk.
Are you the right candidate?
- A Production Manager with at least 2 years’ experience, with credits on Live OB programming.
- Proven experience in the day to day management and support of production staff.
- Strong track record in delivering fast turnaround programming within tight deadlines.
- Excellent working relationships with suppliers in the outside broadcast market and wider industry.
- Strong financial skills and experience managing, reporting and forecasting large budgets.
- A solid understanding of health and safety procedures – including the creation and management of risk assessments – and a good working knowledge of relevant H&S legislation.
- BBC Studios is committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce, and we strongly encourage applicants from under-represented backgrounds to apply.
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