Sharman will take over the running of the BBC's two children's channels, the CBBC channel and CBeebies, from Dorothy Prior who last week moved become controller of production resources.
Sharman takes up her new role on June 20 and will be responsible for all editorial, commissioning and scheduling strategies, as well as overall responsibility for all children's production, children's acquisitions and CBBC online.
Susan Spindler, deputy director of drama, entertainment and CBBC, will caretake the role in the interim.
Alan Yentob, BBC creative director, said: "Alison has proved herself to be an outstanding creative leader. The clarity and freshness of vision she showed in BBC daytime, backed by a real willingness to surprise and challenge both the audience and the industry's traditional perceptions of daytime television, made her the first choice for this important role."
Sharman said that CBBC represented the BBC in microcosm, bringing real range and quality to young audiences.
"I want today's children to form the same kind of bond with children's programmes from the BBC as I did in my youth; for the BBC to really matter to them, despite the fact that there are so many other things claiming their attention now."
Jana Bennett, director of television, is heading up the search for Sharman's successor.
"Alison has been a tireless champion of the importance of BBC daytime and has pioneered the introduction of original drama and current affairs to the broad mix on offer -- a mix which has kept BBC daytime as the market leader.
"She has also ensured that BBC daytime is highly responsive to news events, from Concorde's last flight to the Beslan school siege. She leaves daytime in really good health on both BBC One and BBC Two."
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