BBC director general 'needs international mindset'

Mark Thompson's replacement as BBC director general need not have been a journalist or programme-maker but an international and multimedia mindset will be "essential", according to the job advert for the role. The job description published on the BBC careers website on Wednesday said the successful candidate will have a salary to "reflect the unique challenge and privilege of leading the BBC", but no bonus. Thompson's successor "will be able to admit quickly when in the wrong ... but stand up to huge pressure without bending when s/he believes that it is right to do so". "Experience as a journalist and/or programme maker would be desirable but is not essential," the ad said. "Understanding of new platforms and technologies (for example, online and mobile) is essential. Experience of harnessing these to transform business performance would be valuable. "An international mindset is essential. Experience of operating internationally would be desirable." On salary, the advert stated: "Remuneration will reflect the unique challenge and privilege of leading the BBC, as well as the fact that it is financed by licence fee payers. "There will be an annual base salary, without a variable component."It remains to be seen how much the successful candidate will be paid, but it is widely expected to be substantially less than the £671,000 currently earned by Thompson, who will step down after the London Olympics in the autumn. BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten, who will appoint Thompson's replacement, has said the next director general will be paid less and the role will require "the wisdom of Aristotle and the striking power of Wayne Rooney". Patten appointed headhunters Egon Zehnder to begin the recruitment process and draw up the job specification for the role at the beginning of this year. The closing date for applications is 7 May. The ad also said the BBC was looking for a candidate capable of making the "most of new technologies and the global commercial possibilities that they bring" readying the corporation for the world in 10 or 15 years' time. "The BBC operates in a unique framework of governance and regulation ... as a key external face for the BBC, candidates will need to have credibility with a wide range of external stakeholders (with politicians, regulators, media etc)." Among the "must haves" in terms of skills and experience are editorial, creative and change leadership, including experience of initiating and delivering the "transformation of a business or a division". The internal favourites for the role are thought to be Caroline Thomson, the BBC's chief operating officer, director of vision George Entwistle and director of news Helen Boaden. But the relative importance attributed to programme-making experience as opposed to other "must-have" requirements may boost the credentials of external candidates such as Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham or former Ofcom chief executive Stephen Carter. Of the other internal candidates, director of audio and music Tim Davie is another who has never made a programme.