Stepping Stones: IMG production coordinator Charlotte Bancroft on having “buckets of passion” for the beautiful game

IMG production coordinator Charlotte Bancroft

Charlotte Bancroft, production coordinator, IMG, has a passion for her job. She details here her journey to sports broadcasting, how she has progressed over the years, and how her colleagues have helped set her on the path to success. Stepping Stones is a series of features that showcase young inspirational people working in sports broadcasting.

What is your job role today and what do you love about it?

Currently I am working as a production coordinator on the EFL team at IMG, where I tackle an everchanging range of tasks and responsibilities daily. I’m one of the many individuals on the team who help cover over 1800-plus games across the Championship, League One and League Two as well as the Trophy and Carabao cup competitions. It’s a mighty task, but nothing we can’t handle!

I honestly, whole heartedly love my job. I’ve had buckets of passion for it since the day I first started. I truly feel like I am in my element on a match day when there is a buzz of excitement in the air. I thrive because every day is so different and I work with a fantastic range individuals that continually challenge and inspire me. I also love how fulfilling it is to see the result of my work and for it to be enjoyed by fans around the country. I take a lot of pride in my role.

What does your current job entail on a day to day basis?

Personally, I love all pre-production paperwork and luckily that’s where the focus of my job lies. If you were to catch me on an average day, I’m usually happily sat at my desk producing calls sheets, booking crew, figuring out production logistics, or I will be neck deep in invoices. I also occasionally get involved with the technical side, making sure we have the correct kit and regularly liaise with the camera supplier to ensure we have multiple crews across the country at any given time.

On a match day however, I am always on my feet and darting all over the building. This way I can make sure all logistics are in place and all the replay ops, directors and commentators are well looked after. We always have a large number of freelancers in the building, all of which have their own queries or simply like to offer their insight. Like any production we very occasionally have technical issues which requires quick thinking and really keeps me on my toes!

Sometimes I have the opportunity to head out on-site, where I can get more physically involved with the production and offer support to our on-site team. I really enjoy this, as it’s extremely satisfying to go from planning to then witnessing the production. A day on-site is much more physical, my day can range from carrying kit, acting as a runner and sometimes assisting with sound and camera checks. Overall, it’s a multipurpose job! It requires lots of organisation, attention to details and lots of good people skills.

Charlotte Bancroft, IMG production coordinator, has “buckets of passion” for her job

Can you talk us through your relevant education that helped you break into the sports broadcasting industry?

From a young age I always knew I wanted to work in TV production and broadcast, but the route to getting there was never obvious during school. It wasn’t until GCSE’s that I had my first opportunity to really study media production, which I then carried on through to A-Levels.

At that point, I knew I was going to pursue a career in media, but it was still unclear what sector. So, for me, university felt the correct route. I wanted a mix of studying and practical work, while also gaining my independence. I’d heard amazing things about Bournemouth University, it was recommended by many for having a stella media production course.

The course was general and aimed at preparing us for a variety of different formats of production. So, whilst I didn’t necessarily focus on sport, I still gained a wide variety of skills that were extremely interchangeable and are crucial for my current role.

How did you get your first job in sports broadcasting, what was the role, and when?

Funnily enough, my first job in sports broadcasting was as a production assistant on the EFL team. I still remember my application fondly. I applied back in the summer of 2022, and was already a production assistant in a different sector at the time, but it didn’t feel right for me and I wanted to explore another route.

I was scrolling through LinkedIn when I saw the job posting. Admittedly I applied on a whim, the job description sounded perfect, it ticked multiple boxes for me. But I was slightly hesitant thinking my lack of experience in sport broadcast might not have made me a suitable candidate. Not letting that deter me, I cleaned up my CV and applied for the role.

Fortunately, my doubts were proven wrong when I was contacted a few days later by the recruitment team. After an interview with my current executive producer (which I thought went horribly due to technical issues!) I was offered the role and was officially onboarded to the team a month later in July, right before the new EFL season started.

What happened next to get you where you are today?

At first, I kept my head down, determined to prove I could get the job done as quietly and as efficiently as possible. Being one of few females in sport, I lacked confidence in myself and it showed. I had no idea how to present myself to a male team as I was anxious about being “too girly”, so I built up an internal stigma and initially believed I did not belong in sport and wanted to avoid standing out.

The team caught on and provided me nothing but kindness and encouraged me to build up my confidence. This ranged from offering me opportunities to shadow colleagues, additional ScreenSkill courses and influencing me to be resilient from any setbacks. As I started to grow, I found myself opening up more and I started to develop wonderful relationships with many of our regular freelancers and with the team. I finally started to embrace my quirks and feel like there really was a space for me in this industry.

My love for the job continued to grow and I found myself actively wanting to get more stuck in at work, constantly asking for more responsibility and doing my best to go above and beyond whenever I could.

After over two and a half years, my development and hard work finally paid off, and I was promoted to a production coordinator, where I continue to work just as hard!

Where would you like to be in in five or 10 years time? What are your career goals?

At this point, I’m still very early into my career and I’m still navigating where I would like to end up in five to ten years time. I am really interested in continuing my journey in production management, but I’m also intrigued by the producing aspect and am tempted to explore opportunities there. It would be a dream to continue developing within the EFL, but I would love to see the other side of the fence. It would be nothing short of amazing If I ever had the chance to work on Formula One!

Can you give us some top tips that really helped you get where you are today? 

Give yourself the best chance at being an ideal candidate by getting your foot in the door early. In my early days, I was creating content to showcase my passion and abilities. I used Instagram and YouTube to produce vlogs, show case photography and even made a few terrible fan-inspired music videos and skits. Whilst they weren’t masterpieces, it certainly developed my skills and allowed me to build a portfolio before I entered university.

I would also highly recommend putting your name forward for volunteering opportunities at local events or using Facebook to join groups that offer short term running gigs; this is how I got my first stint as a runner that gave me some leverage when applying to roles.

Can you give us some tips on things not to do or to avoid when trying to get a role you really want?

Enthusiasm and knowledge are key. You need to know a couple of facts about the company and the sector you are hoping to enter. Avoid picking the first few facts that pop up on the first page of google or Wikipedia. Take some time to really research the company and understand their workflow.

Don’t go into any interviews unprepared. Have some short notes on hand and make sure you’ve practiced some general interview questions beforehand. Give plenty of real-life examples and really draw attention to any positive outcomes. Don’t be afraid to discuss failures, simply explain how you learned from it and where you’ve since put that into practice.

What would you say are the barriers to getting a job in the broadcast industry?

With the majority of broadcasters and careers being focused in large cities such as London and Manchester, it’s especially difficult to break into the industry unless you are already situated within commutable distance. I grew up in the Southwest, where media opportunities were very sparce, so I had no choice but to move to London. This was an incredibly difficult decision as living in London is incredibly expensive. Not to mention the mental challenges and loneliness that came from moving away from a small market town in the countryside to a thriving capital city. I was fortunate to have personal savings and a great support network from friends and family which made the cost of living bearable. If this was not the case, I most likely would not be where I am today. I imagine this is the case for many individuals who are unable to afford the increasing cost of living.

I would also say breaking into the industry can be incredibly difficult due to the huge appeal of joining the industry, compared to the lack of jobs that are available. These days it feels like you really need to be the best of the best when hundreds of applicants are fighting over the same jobs.

What would you recommend to other people thinking of working in the broadcast industry?

Honestly, it’s a very tough journey that requires lots of dedication and determination, as it’s very likely you will experience lots of rejection. After plenty of interviews, applications and rejections, it’s easy to feel deflated and lose hope. But you need to keep your chin up, otherwise you won’t see what’s in store!