Commissioning Editor, Entertainment and Reality

The Role

The role

To find and develop high-end entertainment and reality content throughout the commissioning process and manage programmes in accordance with the editorial strategy.

Key responsibilities

Commissioned projects:

• Creative management and top-level executive production of a broad range of projects in entertainment and reality, from sign-off to delivery. Developing formats, identifying on and off-screen talent, delivering and matching creative ambition to available budget, viewing cuts in preparation for final sign-off by the Director of Entertainment and Reality.
• Keeping across all key dates in the production cycle.
• Ensuring projects are delivered on time.
• Ensuring up-to-date information is provided to management when needed.
• Supplying PR, Marketing etc. with relevant and best material.
• Ensuring that series/programmes fully comply and conform to editorial guidelines and that contributors are on board while continuing to track any editorial policy issues that may arise.

New ideas/Creative Strategy:

• Developing new formats for the available slots, communicating commissioning strategy/channel needs to suppliers - internal and external both individually and with Commissioning Editors.
• Directing the development process and encouraging an innovative approach to mainstream ideas.
• Assisting the preparation of ideas for commissioning summit meetings (final stage before sign-off).
• Helping to identify commercial and non-linear opportunities for new and existing projects.
• Identifying ways to refresh returning formats.

Ideas Management:

• Responding very swiftly to incoming proposals – identifying ones we are interested in and rejecting, with constructive feedback, those we are not.
• Ensuring suppliers (internal and external) have a positive relationship with the Entertainment and Reality Commissioning team.
• Monitoring proposals log to ensure it is up to date.

Building Relationships:

• To maintain positive relationships with talent, suppliers and key departments in house.
• To help identify the best off and on-screen talent for key projects.

Commissioning Team Support/Strategy:

• As directed by the Director of Entertainment and Reality, helping to prepare strategy documents, conference speeches; commissioning forms for business sign-off; awards submissions; identifying clips for showreels, trails etc.

Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria)

• An established industry figure who has a reputation for delivering exceptional programming – your track record will speak for itself.
• Considerable experience in entertainment and reality with significant producer experience, series producer level and above.
• A proven track record of developing and producing successful entertainment and reality programming.
• In-depth knowledge of the broadcast landscape and extensive range of contacts in terms of key independent and ITV Studios suppliers, on and off-screen talent.
• A clear understanding of editorial policy and compliance issues.
• A keen understanding of what projects would work for ITV and an understanding of our audience.

Other things we’re looking for (key criteria)

• An excellent communicator who can develop and maintain relationships with all relevant UK and international producers and broadcasters, acting as an ambassador for ITV.
• An ability to think creatively and imaginatively within the mainstream and expert knowledge of entertainment and reality formats.
• A clear understanding of editorial policy and compliance issues.
• An ability to identify key trends and issues, to anticipate problems and deliver solutions.
• Ability to retain focus on long-term objectives and retain a detailed grasp of day-to-day issues.
• Clear and proven understanding and knowledge of all compliance responsibilities and procedures, Legal and ITV Trust issues.
• Clear understanding of ITV Health and Safety and Risk Assessment policies and responsibility.
• Commitment to diversity in all its forms, on and off screen and the ability to demonstrate a proactive approach to reflecting a cross-section of communities.
• Enthusiasm for developing content online as well as on screen where appropriate.