Development Producer/Researcher, Film & TV

GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media organization in London is seeking a development producer/researcher for film & TV. The successful candidate will have significant experience in early-stage TV/film development and a strong journalistic sensibility. They will be responsible for identifying adaptation potential in stories, working closely with Sony Pictures, and performing administrative tasks to facilitate smooth collaboration. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, the role offers a challenging environment for professional growth and development.

Benefits

Six weeks of annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Volunteering days

Cycle to work scheme

Free yoga and pilates classes

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in early-stage TV/film development (ideally at least five years).
• Strong journalistic sensibility and brilliant storytelling instincts.
• Experience in a hands-on development producer role or as a literary scout for film and TV.

Responsibilities

• Spot and pitch stories with adaptation potential for film & TV.
• Support the Editorial Director and build relationships across teams.
• Handle admin tasks to keep the partnership with Sony running smoothly.

Skills

Storytelling instincts

Research skills

Market awareness

Job description

Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless, investigative journalism and holds power to account. Our team of award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial professionals, and industry-leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development, with a focus on training, growth and fostering an inclusive culture.

We’re looking for a development producer/researcher, film & TV.

The Guardian is building on our exciting partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), to develop our content for adaptation to film & TV which provides SPE with exclusive first-look rights to Guardian’s global journalism.

As part of our team, you’ll help bring our award-winning journalism to screen by working closely with the Editorial Director, Film & TV at the Guardian. This means spotting stories with strong adaptation potential, sharing them with partners, and helping move projects forward. You’ll also pitch in with some admin support as required to keep things running smoothly.

This is a 12-month NUJ fixed-term contract or staff secondment.

About the role:

• Get to know the Guardian’s journalism across all formats, from big investigations to standout features, and stay on top of new work that could be a fit for TV or film.
• Pull together a weekly newsletter of promising Guardian stories tailored for Sony’s development teams.
• Support the Editorial Director and build strong relationships across editorial teams to surface stories early and help shape how we present them for adaptation.
• Respond to requests from Sony producers — this could involve digging into the archive, researching background material, or pulling together pitch-ready materials.
• Take on admin tasks as required to support the partnership with Sony — tracking projects and rights, helping schedule meetings.
• Help with day-to-day tasks that keep the GNM/Sony projects on track. This includes keeping stakeholders and project trackers up to date, helping check rights when needed, gathering briefs from Sony, following up on submissions, and supporting meeting logistics — from setting up times to making sure agendas and action points are shared.

About you:

• Demonstrable experience in early-stage TV/film development, you will be able to contribute constructively to a wide range of projects across genres (ideally at least five years of experience). Demonstrate strong market awareness and commissioning trends across the domestic and international landscape.
• Strong journalistic sensibility and research skills, as well as brilliant storytelling instincts to have a positive impact on the development process.
• Demonstrable experience in a hands-on development producer role or as a literary scout for film and television, you'll have confidence digging into stories, finding the right background info, with a proven ability to produce thoughtful, clear, well-crafted and engaging pitch materials for stakeholders and producers.
• A solid understanding of how content moves through the development process — and how intellectual property rights work across publishing, film, and TV, from both editorial and commercial perspectives.
• A creative, adaptable mindset, someone who’s curious, resourceful, efficient and organised with an ability to turn ideas into action.
• A proven track record of working collaboratively with others: you know how to bring people together, keep things moving, and build trust with sensitivity and tact.
• Ideally, you’ll have a demonstrable ability to bring a diverse perspective to this role.

We actively encourage applications from BAME candidates and those from other groups traditionally underrepresented in the UK media.

You can see the full job description here.

How to apply

To apply, please upload your latest CV and a cover letter that outlines why you’d love to take on this role, and why you’re a great match for what we’re looking for.

The closing date for applications is Thursday 4th September 2025.

All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to help your application, this includes providing documents in accessible formats or personalising the process to better support your needs. Please contact Sean [e-mail] to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.

We appreciate the time taken to prepare each application we receive. We do not use AI-assisted technology to review applications; every application is reviewed by a member of our recruitment team.

Benefits and policies at the Guardian

You’ll have six weeks of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days. Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age). We believe in giving back, which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving. Season ticket loans are also available.

You are entitled to life cover, income protection, and eye tests. You can also opt in to dental insurance.

We have maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place. We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality policy.

Culture and wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We became the first major media organisation to achieve B Corp status.

We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and wellbeing. In addition, we also offer free yoga and pilates classes. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme.

Our canteen has views overlooking the Regents Canal and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Learning and development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.