Head of Format Sales – WBITVP Australia in St. Leonards, Australia

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Company Overview

Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia is one of Australia’s largest and most exciting production companies, producing award-winning television for audiences both here in Australia and around the world. Warner Bros Production Australia has secured a reputation as a trusted production partner and a passionate producer of outstanding Australian television. It remains committed to telling great stories, developing exciting formats and creating and producing content that will engage audiences worldwide.

Primary Purpose of Position:

As the Head of Format Sales, you will develop and execute the sales strategy for all local unscripted television commissioning of Warner Bros International Television Production (WBITVP). Your mission is to captivate Australian broadcasters, media partners and international OTT platforms, while leveraging opportunities within Warner Bros. Discovery.

Working closely with the Managing Director and Executive Business Director, and, as a critical member of the leadership team, your goal is to exceed sales targets and drive substantial local business growth.

Position Responsibilities:

Sales

• Collaborate with Managing Director and Executive Business Manager to identify, develop and define the development and sales strategy for Australia, aligning and incorporating with WBITVP strategic goals.

• Partner with all stakeholders to secure new commissions and where required, support sales of repeat series of existing commissions.

• Develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies to achieve revenue targets.

• Partner with the Managing Director, to lead pitch processes and presentations to clients/broadcasters representing the company with excellence.

• Consistently meet and exceed quarterly sales targets on new production sales.

• Understand and analyse media and industry trends, ratings, network requirements and industry budget trends and constantly adapt the sales strategy to maximise company opportunities.

• Identify new business opportunities and emerging market trends to stay ahead of the competition.

• Build and maintain robust relationships with key clients, agencies, and distribution partners.

• Prepare and present regular sales reports, forecasts, and performance metrics to senior management.

• Evaluate and analyse performance and strategies of all commissioned programs and adjust strategies for future series (and alternate series) as needed to meet revenue and profitability targets.

Development

• Lead the internal development process by engaging leadership team peers (most notably the Head of Entertainment, Head of Originals and Head of Production) to drive the sales and commissioning strategy.

• Align the development strategy to the requirements of the local market and network requirements.

• Lead and oversee development on all new unscripted series for the Australian market. Focusing on both adaptations of international formats and original ideas (in partnership with the Head of Originals).

• Research, brainstorm, write treatments and deliver assets for original ideas, Warner Bros.’ or third-party formats.

• Ensure high standard of materials including pitch documents, editorial tender responses, and program proposals.

• Partner with Commercial Partnerships Manager to identify potential brand funded opportunities for program partnerships and drive the development and commissioning process .

• Partner with the Director, Business & Legal Affairs to access international formats and co-production arrangements as required.

• Maintain regular and consistent communication with the WBITVP global team by providing reports and other required information.

• Work closely the WBITVP international team to monitor the wider market and secure third-party IP where appropriate.

• Network and foster relationships with key stakeholders within the WBITVP group and with third-party distributors and broadcasters internationally.

• Meet with external producers and creators and access and secure opportunities for IP development.

• Constantly research and investigate new project opportunities and partners.

• Stay informed on local and international programming trends in key international territories.

• Work with other Warner Bros Discovery ANZ Divisions to identify and execute property synergistic opportunities.

Leadership

• Supervise the creative for pitch materials including proposals, presentations and video materials.

• Foster strong relationships within the executive team to translate strategies into specific priorities, objectives, and action plans.

• Create a workplace environment that encourages creative risk-taking that achieves company goals.

• Develop and share leadership vision for teams and ensure that they are given the tools and skills necessary to enable them to deliver their objectives as effectively as possible. Foster a collaborative and high-performance sales culture within the Company.

Work Experience:

• 8+ years sales experience within a production company, television network or media business.

• Strong sales background and experience. In pitching to clients and exceeding sales targets.

• Demonstrable experience of providing inspiring and motivational leadership.

• Experience working in fast paced environments will conflicting and shifting priorities.

Knowledge / Skills:

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with excellent professionalism.

• Responsible, accountable and results oriented.

• Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to juggle several responsibilities and meet conflicting deadlines.

• Excellent collaborative style with proven experience dealing with multiple stakeholders and differing priorities whilst driving results.

• Pro-active, a self-starter who can work independently; priorities and multi-task; and continuously show initiative to improve practices and processes.

• Highly self-motivated, persistent, enthusiastic and dedicated to producing high quality work.

• A strong leader who contributes to an environment that embraces constant change and innovation.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate and you require adjustments or accommodations to search for a job opening or apply for a position, please contact us at [email protected].