Development Executive, Drama; Scripted Content (English Services)

Radio-Canada; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CBC/Radio-Canada’s Scripted Content division seeks a Development Executive for Drama and Scripted Content (English Services). You will evaluate pitches, initiate new development, and manage series through development, while representing CBC’s creative interests to the production community.

Proactive in sourcing opportunities, you’ll assess pitch strength, doability, and audience impact; collaborate with teams, and provide written notes and coverage.

Qualifications

• 5 years relevant experience (including internships, job shadowing and learning spaces)
• Cultural awareness and equity engagement across Canada
• Ability to read, absorb large volumes of material and provide constructive notes

Responsibilities

• Evaluate pitches and development materials for creative strength and feasibility
• Negotiate creative changes with producers and writers
• Write clear, constructive notes and coverage on pitches and scripts
• Participate in committees, meetings and juries; travel if required
• Represent CBC/Radio-Canada to the independent production community

Skills

5 years experience

Cultural awareness

Talent spotting

Sourcing IP

Creativity and feedback

Education

University degree or equivalent

Job description

Position Title

Development Executive, Drama; Scripted Content (English Services)

Status Of Employment

Permanent

Position Language Requirement

English

Language Skills

English (First Official Language), English (Reading), English (Speaking), English (Writing)

Work at CBC/Radio-Canada

At CBC/Radio-Canada, we create content that informs, entertains and connects Canadians on multiple platforms. Our successes and accomplishments are driven by embodying and upholding values, which include creativity, integrity, inclusiveness and relevance.

Do you think you have the ability and drive to keep up with this exciting, ever-changing industry? Whether it be in front of the camera, on air, online or behind the scenes, you would be joining a team that thrives on making connections and telling stories that are important to Canadians.

Unposting Date

2026-09-02 11:59 PM

Your role

CBC’s Scripted Content division is home to high-impact, award-winning Canadian dramas, comedies and feature films. This is a role for someone who wants to grow their creative skills and apply those skills to help shape high-quality, relevant and impactful Canadian content. Under the direction of CBC’s Director of Development, Drama, they will play a pivotal role in the ongoing collaborative evaluation of pitches, initiation of new development projects, and creative management of series throughout the development cycle, while also representing and conveying CBC’s creative interests to the independent production community.

Proactive in sourcing new opportunities for development including adaptations, IP, and talent across a variety of entertainment genres and platforms. Evaluates pitch and development materials in terms of their creative strengths, relevance, series design qualities; overall "doability" (producer, writers, cast, key crew, budget); ability to draw audiences (including new viewers) to prime time slots and CBC Gem; their related cost factors and the potential creative risks and reward.

Works with the development team to negotiate creative changes with producers, editors and story executives. Writing creative notes that express strengths and weaknesses in a constructive way for pitches, scripts and bible or format documents based on core story elements: character, structure, plot, tone and thematic resonance. Is able to express constructive creative feedback in both verbal and written forms. Doing written coverage on pitches and scripts.

Participates in committee meetings, planning meetings, festivals and workshops; travels to same; Represents the corporation as required on juries and panels; Gives or participates in workshops for film schools and seminars. Keeps abreast of all relevant competing network television programming, Canadian talent, and issues in culture, broadcasting and current affairs.

Candidates may be subject to skills and knowledge testing.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We Are Looking For a Candidate With The Following

• University degree or equivalent.


• 5 years relevant experience (includes internships, job shadowing and learning spaces - e.g. BIPOC workshops).


• Cultural awareness, sensitivity and a connection to equity-seeking communities across Canada is key.

Qualifications - Internal

• High level of creativity required. Must be able to provide imaginative and effective suggestions and input on scripts. Decision making in these areas requires instinct and intuition, as well as knowledge.


• Keen eye for talent at all experience levels, with an eye towards discovering fresh and exciting new projects and opportunities for the CBC Drama team. Experience sourcing and packaging IP a plus.


• Must read and absorb high volumes of material; view and provide feedback. Must be able to respond very quickly with notes and potential solutions. Requires constant juggling of a large number of projects at various stages.


• Understands screenwriting and post-production techniques in order to give notes on character development and scripts.


• Knowledge of content and industry trends related to Drama series programming, in Canada and around the world.


• Knowledge of creative personnel: e.g. Canadian screenwriters and potential screenwriters (such as playwrights or creatives/artists from other relevant mediums), comedians, actors, story editors, directors, producers, editors, etc. in order to make recommendations to producers and the Director of Development, Drama.


• Knowledge of Network creative mandates and audience targets; in order to evaluate potential and ongoing projects and advise the Director of Development, Drama accordingly


• Must be able to speak effectively at meetings and some public functions such as press conferences, professional juries and seminars, etc.


• Must be able to communicate effectively and diplomatically with a very wide range of individuals such as producers, writers, directors, bearing in mind the sensitivity of creative issues, especially in the rushed and often stressful environment of television production. Must be accomplished at providing detailed and comprehensive written correspondence on a daily basis.


• Must maintain cordial and productive working relationships with colleagues both inside the Corporation and outside companies.


• Must represent the CBC in a courteous and informed fashion, e.g. when explaining the basics of the television industry or CBC creative policies to members of the public who pitch an idea, etc.

Additional Knowledge And Assets

• Understanding of network business parameters, legal issues (e.g., copyright, sponsorship), and cost-related factors in scripts and productions.


• Familiarity with Canadian television, digital, and film industries, including production companies, past and current Canadian television series, CRTC guidelines, and funding mechanisms such as tax credits.


• Highly organized, with the ability to prioritize tasks and provide clear information to senior executives and colleagues.

Background Check

As part of our recruitment process, candidates who advance to the next step will be asked to complete a background check. This includes:

• A mandatory Criminal record check.


• Other background checks may be conducted based on the operational requirements of the position.

CBCT Radio-Canada is committed to being a leader in reflecting our country’s diversity. That’s because we can only create and tell the stories that connect Canadians, by having a workforce that mirrors the ever-changing makeup of our country. That’s why we, as an employer, value equal opportunity and nurture an inclusive workplace where our individual differences are not only recognized and valued, but also extend to and pervade all the services we provide as Canada’s public broadcaster. For more information, visit the Diversity and Inclusion section of our website. If you have accommodation needs at this stage of the recruitment process, please inform us as soon as possible by sending an e‑mail to [e-mail].

You are invited to consult and familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct, which can be found on our corporate website. All employees must adhere to the Code as a condition of employment. We also invite you to take a look at our policy on conflicts of interest. In the event that you become an employee, it will be important to inform us, as quickly as possible, of any situation that, because of your hiring, constitutes or could appear to constitute a conflict of interest.

Primary Location

Broadcast Centre 205 Wellington St. W., Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3G7

Number Of Openings

1

Work Schedule

Full time