Job Title: Commissioning Editor - News and Current Affairs
Reports to: Head of News and Current Affairs
Department: Commissioning - News and Current Affairs
Location: This role can be based in either Leeds or Glasgow

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION
The department is responsible for commissioning a wide range of current affairs programmes including Channel Four News, Dispatches, Unreported World, other investigations, documentary current affairs films, consumer current affairs, studio programmes and series. The programmes must simultaneously reach
broad audiences and reinforce our public service remit.

JOB PURPOSE
To commission current affairs programming and contribute to the department's innovative ethos. The role involves working creatively with independent production companies and liaising internally.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work with the Head of News & Current Affairs to increase commissioning spend in the Nations & Regions
• Originate, develop, commission and maintain high quality and innovative new current affairs output from Glasgow and also some programming from Leeds.
• Commission across all forms of the output
• Self-generate ideas and identify fresh territories and themes for exploration.
• Independently initiate, develop, inspire and manage positive, creative relationships with a wide range of Independent producers and production companies to ensure the development of innovative and challenging programmes.
• Identify and nurture, new on and off-screen talent, from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds championing diversity.
• Manage and quality control a wide range of often challenging programmes - overseeing and managing any complexities that arise.
• Oversee and manage complex investigations.
• Broaden the range of Independent producers we work with.
• Work effectively with other parts of the Channel - e.g. legal and compliance, marketing, press, scheduling and business affairs.
• Develop multi-platform current affairs projects that are effectively integrated with the Channel 4 multi-platform objectives.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Technical & Professional Skills
• A proven track record of commissioning or production experience at a senior level with proven ability to work autonomously.
• A proven track record of generating and developing ideas.
• Understanding of consumer current affairs and the lives and concerns of the UK population.
• Demonstrable experience in inspiring, leading and managing teams.
• Demonstrable understanding of multi-platform output
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Proven sound judgement.
• Demonstrated excellent experience and understanding of financial, legal and compliance issues around television production.
• Demonstrable experience of a high degree of editorial judgement in the execution of programmes, exceptional personal integrity and insight into the Channel 4 brand and values in relation to the programme genre.
• Commendable communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to proactively commission content for use across multiple channels - not just linear scheduled TV

Autonomy/Judgement/Decision Making
• Work closely with the rest of the News & Current Affairs team, who will be located in London
• Job requires decision-making concerning a broad variety of matters within own work area and priorities are set by the job holder.
• Work concerns making decisions involving potential risks.

Managing Resources
• Oversees the process of producing a programme after it is commissioned through a creative process in the development, production and post production stages.
• 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.
• Required to handle conflicting viewpoints 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.
• Role holder will need to assess the impact of any contentious material on the general public.

Business Impact/Strategic Perspective
• News & Current Affairs 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.
• Working with the Head of News & Current Affairs to help drive the increase in creative spend in the nations and regions

Desirable Skills
• Creative flair.
• Demonstrable understanding of the audience demands of News & Current Affairs output.
• Demonstrable instinct for the popular.