OMU
JD BPM
OPEN MEDIA UNIT
JOB DESCRIPTION
Broadcast Project Manager
Vacancy ID 9150
Grade 7 (£30,424 - £36,298)
The OMU Broadcast Project Manager has a central role in delivering the objectives of
The Open Media Unit’s Multiplatform Commissions. With a key focus on the BBC/Open
University partnership, OMU also commissions from external organisations as well as
multiplatform commissions. The team of Broadcast Project Managers co-ordinate all
the elements of the Unit’s broadcast projects and manage the delivery of all linked
events and print materials.
JOB SPECIFICATION
AIMS OF THE JOB
To project manager and co-ordinate activities for OMU projects from pre-commissioning
to delivery across a range of broadcasters covering TV and radio. To project manage
and co-ordinate the outreach activities identified to support the productions such as print
offering, websites, local visibility events and media relations. To keep work practices
fluid and efficient around a changing environment.
ORGANISATION
The postholder will report to the Senior Broadcast Project Manager.
The postholder will be one of a group of Broadcast Project Managers working on their
own individual projects within the OMU. Projects are allocated across the team. Some
responsibilities listed are undertaken by a single member of the team at any one time or
a given priority by a single Broadcast Project Manager.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The postholder will work with members of the OMU and also with its commissioning
partners, to project manage projects by:
Project management
1.
Work with appropriate parties and in particular the Open Media Fellows,
Nominated Academics, and other relevant OU departments to develop and
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JD BPM
execute a detailed plan for each project. To manage and co-ordinate the
project, linking and liaising with the necessary OU internal and external
partnerships. To ensure timely delivery of activities and materials e.g.
commissioned projects / print material / events etc. and to take responsibility for
ensuring schedules are adhered to.
2.
Co-ordinating contracting and commissioning activities for productions; liaising
with the OU Rights department during the contracting stage. Providing a key
contact point for the production team throughout the production for non-editorial
aspects of the commission.
3.
Generate the deliverable requirements of a project to reflect the conditions of
the contract. Ensure this is done in collaborations with relevant stakeholders.
4.
Brief the academic team and production team on their role within the project,
ensuring that roles and responsibilities of individuals are understood and
adhered to.
5.
Generating appropriate information to production team for OU’s call to action,
end credits and OU branding information with a view to maximising the OU’s
exposure within existing guidelines.
6.
Maintaining a record of current projects and monitoring progress of deliveries of
products. Assessing the significance of any potential late deliveries and alerting
staff in the unit and other departments e.g. on-line teams, OUW, OU Public
Relations as necessary.
7.
Managing final OU approval processes for commissions prior to broadcast and
confirming approval to appropriate areas of the production organisation and to
members of the OMU.
8.
Co-ordinating and facilitating the on-line development associated with each
project and facilitating the public’s learning journey from broadcast into
Openlearn the University public portal (the home of free learning from the OU).
9.
In consultation with academic consultants, designers, and IP, project manage
the creation of project support material ie printed booklets. Manage the
creation of a brief, contracting of authors, acquisition of visual content and OU
related study information. Oversee delivery of all content and monitor accuracy
and stylistic design. Arrange final sign off and delivery to OU channels for
printing. Monitor print orders and stock levels, and arranging reprints as
necessary.
10.
To manage a budget for project wrap-round activities (print, events etc),
forecasting expenditure at intervals as required and reporting expenditure to the
Business Manager.
11.
To arrange the setting up of external consultancy contracts and produce rights
contracts for ALs and other external consultants. Monitor the progress of the
contract and manage the sign-off/release of funds when appropriate.
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JD BPM
12.
Complete purchase and print orders, and as appropriate, monitor progress in
their execution, and ensure completion of the work and payment of the fees.
13.
Work alongside the academic consultants in the development and co-ordination
of partnership activities in broadcast projects and project manager such
activities.
14.
Facilitate the evaluation of project activities by working with the OMU Broadcast
Analytics Manager to bring together a measurable account of a projects
success.
15.
Work to continually improve project processes, including responding to changes
in strategy, other stakeholder requirements and technology.
Maintaining contacts and knowledge
1.
Maintain an understanding of OU structures in order to locate contacts to
facilitate project management in the OMU.
2.
Identify changes in OU policy and procedures and implement changes to the
working practices of the BPM role.
3.
Take an active role in continuing personal development of skills and knowledge.
General
1.
Maintain close liaison with other Broadcast Project Managers to ensure ability
to cover in the event of sickness and leave.
2.
Such other duties as may be reasonably requested and agreed with the Head
of Broadcast, or the Senior Broadcast Project Manager.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Education/Qualifications
Essential

A first degree in any subject, or equivalent background education, or work
experience at a comparable level.

Sound knowledge and experience of a range of IT packages, which should
include Word, Excel, e-mail and a proven ability to learn new packages quickly.
Work & Other Relevant Experience
Essential
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
JD BPM
Demonstrable experience of project management for a range of broadcasters
including PSBs, commercial and/or international.
Desirable

Previous experience of project management from specification through to
completion, including scheduling, quality and resource management and
prioritising conflicting demands.

Experience of working in a changing environment.

Experience of budgeting and budgetary management.
Personal Qualities & Abilities
Essential

Proven ability to organise own workload to ensure that objectives and deadlines
are met within resource constraints and to remain effective under pressure.

Ability to anticipate and analyse problems, propose workable solutions, manage
and resolve conflict.

Good communication skills, including the ability to interpret and convey
information effectively in written and oral form, to persuade and influence others
in a constructive way and to negotiate and prioritise activity.

Effective team-working and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work proactively and independently, to work flexibly across boundaries and to
demonstrate commitment to diversity principles and practice.

The ability to be self-critical and reflective in relation to own role and work, to
learn from experience and to operate with integrity, accountability and
commitment.

Commitment to the aims and culture of the OU.

An understanding of the nature of the business of both the BBC and the OU and
the basis of partnership between the two organisations.

Good awareness of current TV and radio programmes, particularly factual
programmes and OU output, and an interest in broadcasting developments in the
UK.
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