PLEASE DO NOT APPLY IF YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA AS YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION
The Factual Entertainment Dept is responsible for a wide range of popular factual series, formats and one-offs, including The Undateables, Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, The Hoarder Next Door, Gordon Behind Bars, Undercover Boss, What Happens In Kavos and 16 Kids and Counting.
The 9 pm and 10 pm commissions from Factual Entertainment need to have broad appeal and engage with the mainstream about contemporary issues, but they must also be innovative and distinctively C4.
JOB PURPOSE
The Commissioning Editor, Factual Entertainment will commission popular documentary series, factual entertainment formats and singles and look after returning series.
They will work to the Head of Department, Factual Entertainment. They will encourage independent production companies to generate original and innovative programmes for 9 pm and 10pm; they will collaborate with indies to generate new ideas, they will commission and manage singles and series; they will identify and manage C4 on screen talent; and they will work closely with internal departments such as legal and compliance, commercial affairs, sales and marketing.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- To originate, develop and commission innovative new programmes for the given factual entertainment slots
- to deliver programmes on time and on budget
- to generate ideas and identify fresh territories and themes for exploration
- to initiate and manage positive, creative relationships with a wide range of indies to ensure a steady supply of groundbreaking ideas
- to identify and nurture new on and off screen talent, from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds
- to manage and quality control a wide range of often challenging programmes including returning series, overseeing and managing any complexities that arise
- to broaden the range of Independent producers and on screen talent we work with
- to work effectively with other parts of the Channel - e.g. legal and compliance, marketing, press, scheduling etc
- to work closely with Cross Platform to maximise the viewer experience and the impact of programmes across a variety of platforms
JOB FACTORS
Technical & Professional Skills (Knowledge, Skills, Education & Experience)
• Must have worked at a minimum series producer level making or commissioning factual entertainment shows which demonstrate a Channel 4/E4 fact ent sensibility
• Strong experience of financial, legal and compliance issues around television production
• Good understanding of budgets for television programme and the commissioning process
• Deep insider knowledge of trends in entertainment and comedy in terms of programmes, productions, on and off screen talent, and an ability to contribute to the department's overall strategy
• Will be required to demonstrate a high degree of editorial judgement in the execution of programmes, exceptional personal integrity and insight into the Channel 4 brand and values
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills
• Good standard of education, prefer educated to a degree level
• Ability to generate and manage high volume of programmes
Autonomy/Judgement/Decision Making
• Job requires decision-making concerning a broad variety of matters within own work area and priorities are set by the job holder
• Work concerns a broad variety of matters making decisions involving potential risks. For example, a highly publicised new show that's disliked by both audiences and critics and reflects poorly on the Channel's reputation
• Guidance on work issues is typically met by bouncing ideas and issues at weekly departmental meetings and with relevant heads of department across Commissioning.
• Constraints on doing the job are financial for example, not having enough money to commission a specific show, being outbid on a project by a rival broadcaster
Managing Resources
• Oversees the process of producing a programme after it is commissioned through a creative process mainly in the edit with the producer/director at the commissioned independent production company
• Determines budgets for projects alongside Commercial Affairs with overall responsibility resting with Commissioning Head
Relationship Management
• Conducts and maintains good relationships with independents producing programmes for the Channel. Networking is a significant part of the role.
• Keeps abreast of all new talent in genre and stay one step ahead of immediate competitors
• Required to handle conflicting viewpoints and gain consensus for the Channel during the editorial process of commissioned programmes with independents
Complexity/Problem Solving
• Job holder may face a number of unpredictable and unique problems e.g. a ground breaking show may raise problems across the spectrum of editorial, legal, press, marketing, publicity and independent company liaison
• High degree of creativity required when developing ideas and problem solving with highly demanding and unpredictable talent and production companies on programme content
• Role holder will need to assess the impact of any contentious material on the general public
Business Impact/Strategic Perspective
• Role impacts on short to medium term business targets and plans for programmes at least a year in advance whilst maintaining the flexibility to act swiftly on exclusivity deals, cultural climate, trends and opportunities
• Factual Entertainment forms an important part of the Channel's programming strategy and so impacts heavily on the perception and reputation of the Channel, its ratings and advertising
• Legal, compliance and financial issues e.g. OFCOM regulations on programming have a huge impact on the role