But our licence fee funds these mystifying jobs

Over the years the BBC has hired armies of middle managers who have nothing to do with news gathering. Here is a selection of some of the more baffling roles.

Head of Change (£60,000-£110,000). The lucky candidate will ‘influence the success of the Terms & Conditions programme with far-reaching impacts – and leverage opportunities for benefits.’ All clear?

Head of Identity (£35,250-£63,000). This role is all about curating and delivering ‘elegant user experiences’. But you must also have a ‘deep conceptual understanding of the key technologies comprising Identity’, whatever that means. The Lead Architect – Identity Transformation (£47,250-£80,000). This architect has nothing to do with buildings. You have to ‘realise the implementation of the BBC’s Technology Strategy and Architecture’.

Sustainable Production Advisor (£35,250£63,000). The most baffling aspect of this is the ‘use of Albert the carbon calculator on BBC commissions’. Who or what is that? Governance Thematic Research Manager (£35,250-£63,000). This involves working ‘proactively and collaboratively to ensure Governance research is of a high quality’ while – without irony – making sure the BBC is ‘providing great value for money’. Creative Diversity Partner (£47,250£80,000).

This role was created to reflect the BBC’s ‘commitment to drive diversity and inclusion both on and off screen’. The BBC is already statistically more ‘diverse’ than the country it serves. Employee Relations Manager (£47,250£80,000). Involves protecting the BBC’s ‘employee relations strategy’, while striking ‘the right balance in terms of fostering constructive relationships, enabling change and managing risk.’ In plain English: covering the management’s back.

Reward Director. This is about ‘pay, pensions, job evaluation, executive remuneration… etc’ – ie all those juicy salaries the licence fee funds. No salary details were available, but in 2010 the job paid £196,550.