Development Executive, Poison Pen

The Role

The team

We are looking for an experienced drama executive with a proven track record for developing drama commissions, seeing them through from early concept to greenlight.

The executive will be responsible for maintaining the Poison Pen slate along with the Executive Producer and President, working with them to keep the slate commercial and precise.

The role

• Working with the President and the Executive Producer to manage and build on both

the UK and US slate.

• Have a strong knowledge of writers (established and emerging) and an understanding of their suitability to particular projects/genres.
• To foster and nurture new and existing writing talent.
• Read books and scripts under consideration and provide feedback as needed
• Provide creative feedback and direction on key stages throughout the development
• process for writers and development team
• To bring ideas to development meetings in line with our development strategies.
• Communicate with broadcasters / commissioners regularly, alongside the ITV

distribution team

• Cultivate relationships with agents, writers and creatives within the industry
• Pitching the slate internally and externally
• Strategising what the slate is missing, where the market is going and ensure the

team is aware of creative goals

• Monitor and remain on top of trends in programming

Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria)

• Demonstrable experience as a credited Development Executive (or experienced Scripted Editor) for a minimum of at least two high-end drama productions. (Please evidence in CV)
• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience working in development for a television production company with a proven track record in high-end drama. (Please evidence in CV)
• Demonstrable passion for scripted TV.
• Strong understanding of the development process in high-end drama. (Please evidence in CV)
• Proven experience in actively researching and identifying up-and-coming writers and directors within the British television landscape.
• Experience managing script submission processes, including responding professionally and efficiently to literary agents and established writers.
• Direct experience providing constructive and insightful development and script notes for high-end drama productions.
• Involvement in taking television drama projects from their initial concept stage through to script commission and development.
• Proficiency in using Final Draft.
• Familiarity with and passion for Poison Pen slate.

Other things we’re looking for (key criteria)

• Strong knowledge of British TV writers, both established and new, and understanding their strengths.
• Excellent editorial skills and instincts to spot strong projects and give helpful feedback on scripts and ideas.
• Experience of story editing.
• Good relationships with literary agents and a talent for building strong connections with writers.
• Experience in contributing creative ideas to develop projects with senior colleagues.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate clearly (both written and verbal) and inclusively with people from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences with the ability to give clear and sensitive feedback.
• Excellent written skills to deliver a variety of supporting documents quickly and accurately.
• An understanding of diverse UK audiences and a perspective on how to make programmes that appeal to them.
• Experience in presenting project ideas to TV channels or senior leaders.
• Well-organised and able to manage multiple projects at once, paying attention to detail.
• Ability to conduct thorough research to support both development and production, ensuring accuracy.
• An understanding of and alignment with Poison Pen’s values around diversity, inclusion and accessibility in storytelling
• A passion for commercial TV (particularly crime and thriller), film, theatre, and comedy, with a keen interest in discovering new talent and trends.
• A flexible, problem-solving mindset, able to navigate new challenges in a fast- paced, growing company.
• Comfortable with a hands-on, multifaceted role, where responsibilities may evolve as the company grows.
• A keen interest in books, graphic novels, animation, podcasts, documentaries, global narratives, and other mediums that could spark new project ideas.