The Commissioner Programme is a ground-breaking, joint partnership aimed at ensuring that television content and commissioning teams better reflect modern Britain.
Supported by our key members Creative Skillset, BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV and Sky, this leadership programme is designed to broaden the diversity of TV commissioning by bringing in new voices and perspectives, and is targeted at experienced media professionals who are enthusiastic and committed to becoming content commissioners.
As this programme supports broadcasters in their ambitions to improve diversity at the leadership level, applications are particularly encouraged from under-represented groups, such as those from BAME (Black Asian or Minority Ethnic) backgrounds or those with a disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010.
Following the placement of seven professionals in the inaugural programme launched in 2015, eight roles, each lasting a minimum of 12 months, are up for grabs.
To complement the contracts with broadcasters, is an elite training programme which offers bespoke training, business training and executive coaching, alongside inspiration days learning from the visionaries in other creative and digital industries, networking and mentoring, and peer group collaboration and support. CDN, the broadcasters and Creative Skillset are looking for a range of prior experiences, ideally at Series Producer level, from across broadcasting and the creative industries.
The ambition is for candidates to be fully immersed in TV commissioning and strengthen their skills in managing change, taking risks and building partnerships and teams. In bringing fresh and diverse perspectives to broadcasters and producers, they should help to shift industry sensibilities across genres and increase the amount of programming that the whole country can relate to.
Recruitment for the programme has begun and will be managed by the individual broadcasters. Each placement is full time and lasts for a minimum of 12 to 18 months, on a competitive senior level salary.
Channel 4 has announced four roles and the BBC, Channel 5, ITV and Sky also have a role each in various genre departments.