Sales Director in Leavesden, United Kingdom

Every great story has a new beginning, and yours starts here.

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.

Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden

At the heart of our UK film and TV operations sits Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden (WBSL), a purpose built, state-of-the-art studio offering one of the largest facilities in the UK. This 200 acre secure site has a quarter of a million square feet of stage space, back-lot tank, one of the largest heated underwater filming tanks in Europe and an 150 acre back-lot. WBSL accommodate and support productions for WBPL (WBD features division), WBTV and HBO supporting 8-10 productions per year.

Your New Role…

This is a key position which will be the commercial lead responsible for the sales strategy, sales fulfillment, marketing, industry positioning and presence of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.

The role will be responsible for ensuring maximum efficiencies and use for clients whilst delivering a first-class service. It will develop, maintain, and nurture new and existing contacts throughout the industry to promote and enhance the Company’s reputation, revenue, and profits and ensure it remains a first choice for Producers.

Success in this role relies on an in-depth knowledge of the media industry and an understanding of WBSL products and services. The ability to forge relationships and develop trust and loyalty with third parties and our WBD internal productions and key clients are also key skills for successful performance. This is a role for an experienced and versatile Sales Director who is equally competent at prospecting for new sales opportunities and developing and maintaining existing client accounts.

Your Role Accountabilities…

• Promote, market, and sell Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden as a leading UK Studio facility to drive and procure business on behalf of the company ensuring maximum revenue generation, meeting high occupancy targets, and delivering solid sales figures.

• Attract and develop relationships with both our Internal WBD production divisions (WB Pictures, DC Studios, HBO, and WBTV) and third-party clients (US studios ie. Sony, Paramount, Universal; Streamers ie Apple, Amazon, Netflix) and UK independent film production companies and broadcasters.

• To manage the relationship with prospective clients (Studio Executives, Producers, Line Producers, UPMs) regarding overall deals and negotiations of hire agreements.

• To manage, plan, and direct all sales activity, including business development, sales strategy, developing growth areas, marketing, and industry liaison.

• To co-ordinate with on-site production services and partners to ensure they deliver maximum use to our production clients, including but not limited to The Wonderworks, Zone10, Remedy Physio, Solas Mind, and Feature Medical.

• To lead the client services team whose primary function is to be the key contact for the clients and ensure a professional and efficient service to clients for all service delivery across the site.

• To work in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team at the studio including Operations Director, Facilities Director, CrewHQ Director, and SL&R Vice President.

• Support the continued growth and expansion of the studio.

• To collaborate with our on-site training facility CrewHQ.

• To supervise the budget planning, Forecast Planning, and Revenue Reporting.

• To oversee the contracting and billing to the clients alongside the finance team ensuring accuracy and timely delivery, and managing the aged debt.

Qualifications & Experience…

• Knowledge of media production and business management

• In-depth understanding of the industry, market, and key trends and identifies key sources of competitive information and uses these to build key relationships with new and existing clients.

• Proven experience within the Production community, with a strong contact base.

• Familiarity with film and TV requirements, ethos, schedules, and budgets.

• An understanding and appreciation of working in a corporate environment.

• Influence and communicate, with proven problem-solving abilities

• Ability to think on one’s feet and respond to change to quickly resolve issues as they arise.

• Able to build good relationships with internal/external customers and establish credibility quickly.

• Ability to organise, motivate and manage a team with different skill sets.

• Must have proven experience in managing the physical requirements for feature film and television productions.

• Ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities with a professional attitude and to deliver professional results.

• Computer literate- Full working knowledge of Microsoft Office to an intermediate level- particularly Excel.

The post is based at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, five days a week and may involve regional and local travel.

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.

The Legal Bits…

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].