Senior Manager: Lifestyle Reality at MultiChoice

Purpose of the Position

Execute and maintain the creative direction for unscripted emotainment content for the M-Net channels in the middle and mass market segment whilst ensuring balance between creative vision, audience engagement and business objectives.

Key Performance Objectives

Strategy Formulation and Execution

• Formulate and execute unscripted emotainment channel strategy in line with the target audience.
• Develop and manage an AFP slate for the Afrikaans channels.
• Develop a content acquisition strategy that targets the right producers and resonates with the wider channel strategy and audience.
• Determine the mix of formats, genres, and themes that will resonate with the target audience and channel.
• Assess and develop current affairs content that speaks to premium market segment, pushes boundaries, while consistently negating risk.
• Identify target audience demographics and preferences for unscripted content.
• Analyse market trends and competitors to identify content gaps and opportunities.
• Content Execution 
• Develop innovative new programs taking into consideration the Channels positioning and strategy.
• Establish guidelines for content production to ensure consistency in quality, tone and storytelling across different projects.
• Prepare and present viable content proposals.
• Pioneer new formats and innovation in content creation.
• Manage the risk associated with current affairs content.
• Ensure sponsorship elements are included in content in a way that satisfies the DMS contract, and content requirements,
• Work with commissioning teams to flesh out concepts, outlines, and pilot episodes.
• Greenlight projects that show promise and align with the channel objectives.
• Monitor the performance of unscripted content through audience metrics, ratings, and viewer feedback.
• Analyse data to gain insights into audience preferences and content effectiveness.
• Use feedback and data to optimise future content execution and improve audience engagement.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to develop promotional strategies for unscripted content.
• Identify opportunities for cross-promotion and integration with other content or marketing initiatives.
• Leverage social media and digital platforms to engage with audiences and build anticipation for upcoming content.

Manage Production

• Ensure that programs are produced to the highest standard and are cost-effective.
• Manage the commissioning process.
• Manage all productions houses strictly to contractual deliverables and ensure all contractual agreements are signed prior to production.
• Approve scripts and shooting schedules for all programs.
• View and provide editorial input on all programs at online and offline stage.
• Approve all final programs for broadcast.
• Take overall editorial responsibility for programs and ensure that programs satisfy M-Net editorial standards.
• Ensure producers deliver programs and promotional material as per agreed schedule.
• Ensure content is delivered on time for multiplatform.
• Ensure all episodes and promos are considered against BBCSA standards and assessed for risk within target audience.

Stakeholder Management

• Establish and maintain effective relationship with Independent Producers.
• Foster and develop strong relationship with production companies and sponsors.
• Regularly follow up and feedback with critical business partners.
• Negotiate deals and contracts with talent and production partners.
• Collaborate with legal and business affairs teams to ensure all agreements are in compliance with relevant regulations and policies.
• Communicate financial performance and strategies to key stakeholders, including executives, investors, and production partners.

People Management

• Manage the commissioning team to ensure effective delivery of business unit objectives.
• Develop a high performing team by embedding formal performance development and informal coaching.
• Encourage frequent knowledge sharing between team members.
• Encourage innovation within the team and explore new formats or approaches to content creation.
• Determine and analyse development needs for the team and ensure that identified training requirements are budgeted for and executed.
• Interview and recruit new members of the team, including determining appropriate compensation levels with input from Human Capital.
• Create effective workforce and recruitment demand plans to ensure that current and future business requirements can be met.
• Review and update the department’s organisation structure and role descriptions on at least an annual basis to ensure that they are fit for purpose and contain all the accountabilities of each team member.
• Approve leave requests for team members and create a leave plan to ensure adequate coverage.
• When required, initiate disciplinary processes for team members calling on support from Human Capital when required.
• Resolve grievances raised by team members and escalate only if required.
• Address poor performance of any team member through the formal Performance Improvement program and ensure that continued poor performance is appropriately dealt with.
• Motivate team members and ensure that their efforts are recognised.

Financial Management

• Collaborate with the Finance team to ensure effective financial management of high financial risk/complex productions and/or across a portfolio of productions.
• Create and manage budgets for individual projects, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Conduct financial analysis to evaluate the feasibility and profitability of unscripted content projects.
• Allocate resources effectively, including talent, production crews, and locations.
• Implement cost management strategies to control production expenses without compromising the quality of content.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency in production processes to reduce costs.
• Prepare business plans for new content ideas, considering potential revenue streams and cost structures.

Reporting

• Generate regular financial reports for senior management and stakeholders, providing insights into the financial performance of ongoing projects.
• Prepare financial forecasts to predict potential revenue and expenditure for future projects.
• Prepare reports that inform content development and positioning.
• Prepare concise and informative reports for presentation to channel executives and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as marketing and finance, to generate comprehensive reports that encompass various aspects of content performance.
• Share insights and recommendations with cross-functional teams to drive better decision-making.

Qualifications Essential

• A Post Graduate Degree in Film and Television/5Marketing/Scriptwriting or equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification

Experience

• A minimum of 8 -10 years of experience as an executive producer, series producer or commissioning editor.
• A minimum of 2 years Senior Management experience in the media and entertainment industry.
• Extensive entertainment and broadcasting Industry knowledge and experience.
• Experience in delivering successful big reality international formats.
• An interest in news and current affairs.
• Extensive understanding of audiences.
• Deep knowledge of current and future content trends in multiple markets and platforms.
• People management experience is essential.
• Managing large production budgets.

Technical Competencies

• Content Development and Storytelling
• Content Editing and Post-Production
• Content Distribution Platforms
• Crisis Management
• Data Analytics and Audience Insights
• Editorial judgement
• Financial Management
• Negotiation and Contract Management
• Legal and Rights Management (content)
• Risk Management
• Project Management
• Production Management