Head of Performance, Leadership & Capability, BBC Studios

  • BBC Group and Public Services
  • Jan 09, 2026
Full time Advert / Media / Entertainment

Job Description

Head of Performance, Leadership & Capability, BBC Studios

Job Requisition ID: 36489
Job Closing Date: 16/01/26
Location: London, W12 7FA

Job Details

Job Band: F

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Department: HR

Location: London, Television Centre - Hybrid

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

The Head of Performance, Leadership & Capability at BBC Studios is the custodian of critical HR strategies, focused on aligning with commercial objectives through driving high-performance culture, performance management, talent strategy, leadership and executive development, and the broader learning and capability agenda. This role is integral to the organisation's commercial and cultural success and its next phase of growth. Reporting to the Studios HR Director, it works closely with BBC Group counterparts to align strategy where required and forms part of the Studios HR Leadership Team.

Key Responsibilities and Impact Talent Strategy & Workforce Planning
  • Design and lead a global talent strategy supporting Studios' commercial and creative priorities.
  • Build a forward-looking workforce plan anticipating capability gaps.
  • Align talent plans with business growth ambitions in partnership with Finance, Strategy & Transformation.
Leadership Development & Executive Capability
  • Implement a leadership framework defining "what great looks like" and deliver a roadmap.
  • Design targeted leadership and succession programs.
  • Drive interventions to improve leadership alignment and performance.
High-Performance Culture Enablement
  • Embed Studios' Culture & Values into leadership.
  • Build capability programs that shift behaviours.
  • Partner with CPO on plans to reduce bureaucracy and increase empowerment.
Learning & Capability Development
  • Deliver BBC Studios' global learning ecosystem-skills architecture, platforms, pathways and academies.
  • Scale programs in AI/GenAI, data literacy, financial acumen, negotiation, creative leadership, IP value creation.
  • Ensure continuous skill development through blended solutions.
Talent Identification, Mobility & Succession
  • Lead global succession planning for critical roles.
  • Embed robust talent reviews and high-potential identification.
  • Create internal mobility programs that accelerate movement.
Performance & Capability Management
  • Co own the performance cycle, ensuring leadership accountability.
  • Build toolkits for managers to drive clarity, coaching, and development planning.
  • Strengthen talent and performance insights for senior stakeholders.
DEI-Centered Talent & Development Strategy
  • Integrate DEI objectives into all development programs and pipelines.
  • Embed inclusion and safety into leadership behaviours.
  • Partner with DEI team on representation and progression strategies.
Additional Responsibilities
  • Support capability programs for creative and commercial talent.
  • Build analytics dashboards and provide actionable insights.
  • Enable major transformation programs through capability diagnostics and transition learning.
  • Curate a global network of learning partners and manage procurement and ROI for L&D spend.
Your Skills and Experience Essential Criteria
  • Adept at leading a diverse and high-performing global talent management function
  • Experience leading talent transformation and strategy within an international matrix managed, multi-product & multi-channel/platform commercial organisation, linking talent strategy to commercial growth & direction
  • Ability to implement leadership frameworks and clear succession planning
  • Experience coaching at executive level
  • The ability to provide thought leadership, creativity, innovation and clear direction to the role; able to foster strong performance and contribute operational skills
  • Able to lead with long-term vision using innovative creative, technical and/or professional skills
  • Prior experience of working with board level stakeholders as a trusted partner in a global business, with the ability to communicate with credibility to commercial and creative leaders
  • High resiliency and stamina
Desirable Criteria
  • Experience working in the media or related industries.

If you can bring some of these skills and experiences, along with transferable strengths, we'd love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

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.

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.

Information at a Glance This is your BBC

At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world's best loved content, and the BBC's mission to inform, educate and entertain.

Find out more about BBC Studios

Life at BBC Studios
  • A flexible 35-hour working week with 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and the option to buy an extra five days.
  • Defined pension (up to 10% employer contributions).
  • Caring and parenting support, 24/7 remote GP access, life assurance and accident benefit.
  • BBC Studios is a world leader in operating sustainably both on and off screen. Find out more about BBC Group's science-based Net Zero targets here.
  • Career development in a values-led purpose-driven culture.

Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis.

Candidate Pack You belong

We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy below.

Diversity, inclusion & belonging strategy Disability confident

We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we'd be happy to discuss:

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BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: , registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.