Reporting to the Head of Features and Formats, the Commissioning Editor for Features and Formats is a senior commissioning role, responsible for developing, commissioning and successfully delivering formats across a diverse range of Channel 4 output and platforms, including E4 and main channel. The commissioning editor will be required to play a key role in shaping the strategy, tone and content for the newly merged department and work collaboratively to ensure clear direction and distinctive and original content is delivered in all areas. DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION This position is part of the combined Features and Formats department. Part of the popular factual department covers an incredibly diverse range of non-scripted genres from features shows to reality shows, studio entertainment to factual entertainment, documentaries to unscripted comedy. Our output ranges from peak time weekday returnable 8pm formats like Bake Off, Amazing Spaces, Lego Masters, Love It or List It, Supervet, Jamie's Quick & Easy & Food Unwrapped, to Friday night entertainment shows like Extra Slice and Joe Lycett's forthcoming comedy consumer show. Our shows need to have broad appeal and engage with the mainstream but also be innovative and distinctly C4. As a department Popular Factual delivers more youngs to C4 than any other and we intend to continue to do so by re-imagining traditional lifestyle and features territories for the next generation audience that is entertaining as well as content rich - think Nailed It and Queer Eye. We are single minded in developing entertaining formats for a young audience (under 24) and have a slate of amazing reality content both for C4 and E4 ranging from established shows like Made In Chelsea, Tattoo Fixers and Celebs Go Dating to forthcoming new series' Club Reps, Shipwrecked & Flirty Dancing. The shows set out to reflect the way we live now and how to live life better with a focus on the ingenious, the eccentric, the audacious, and crucially a bold, attention-grabbing proposition. We have a fantastic portfolio of shows led by expert talent like George Clarke, Kirstie & Phil, Paul & Prue, & Jamie & Jimmy complimented by a good dollop of comedy talent on the side: from Noel, Sandi, Jo Brand, to newer voices like Tom Allen & Joe Lycett. We are also creating innovate shows around new and diverse talent like Liam Charles & Ashley Banjo, but are always looking for new voices. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Main Responsibilities/Tasks - To nurture and develop our returning slate of key Features & Formats brands to ensure their long-term success, including overseeing and managing any complexities that arise - To originate, develop and commission innovative features and formats programming that appeal both to a broad audience and bring in young viewers - To manage the features slate and department, delivering programmes on time and on budget - To generate ideas and identify fresh territories and themes for exploration - To initiate, develop, inspire and manage positive, creative relationships with a wide range of indies, particularly in the Nations & Regions, to ensure a steady supply of ground breaking ideas - To identify and nurture new on and off screen talent, with a specific focus on diversity and Nations & Regions - To work effectively with other parts of the Channel - e.g. legal and compliance, marketing, press, scheduling etc - To work closely with the digital production unit and all other platforms to ensure Features & Formats productions are exploited and promoted across all platforms JOB FACTORS Technical & Professional Skills (Knowledge, Skills, Education & Experience) • Must have a proven track record working at a minimum series producer level making or commissioning shows which demonstrate a Channel 4/E4/More 4 features sensibility • Considerable experience in development and able to demonstrate and understanding of what features and formats mean • Has delivered ground-breaking and/or first series returnable brands • Demonstrable experience of managing relationships with on and off screen talent • Proven sound editorial judgement, good ideas about what the channel and the department ought to be saying and covering, and an ability to contribute to strategic vision • Strong experience of financial, legal and compliance issues around television production • Good demonstrated understanding of budgets for television programme and the commissioning process • Deep knowledge of trends in popular factual and & lifestyle content in terms of programmes, productions, on and off screen talent, and an ability to develop 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, able to give clear feedback in a business and creative context • 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 • Must be able to identify, and effectively communicate, potential overspends in series as they are in production 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 • Must be extremely efficient in communicating the Channel viewpoint on an idea within a defined timeframe • 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 • Features is 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.