Head of Development (premium documentary)

Talented People; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent production company in East London is seeking a Head of Development to lead premium documentary strategies. The role requires significant experience in the field and established relationships with major streaming commissioners. Outstanding writing skills and the ability to manage a creative team are essential for this full-time, permanent position. The ideal candidate has a genuine passion for true crime storytelling and a proven record in project commissioning.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in premium documentary at Head of Development level.
• Proven relationships with decision-makers at major streaming platforms.
• A proven track record of getting projects commissioned in the true crime space.

Responsibilities

• Leading premium docs development strategy across the slate.
• Writing pitch decks to an exceptional standard.
• Pitching directly to commissioners at major streamers.

Skills

Leadership experience managing development teams

Outstanding writing skills

Significant experience in premium documentary

Established relationships with commissioners

Strategic thinking

Filmmaker sensibility

Genuine passion for true crime

Job description

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19th November, 2025

Head of Development

permanent, full-time

Location

East London. 1 day from home.

About The Company

This is a company with serious commissioner relationships and an impressive slate in production and development. They're regularly pitching to Netflix, Hulu, Apple, Nat Geo and other major platforms, with projects ranging from feature documentaries to landmark limited series. They've built a reputation for taking weighty subjects and crafting them into compelling, emotionally resonant stories that commissioners come back for.

The team is small, friendly and collaborative, with ambitions to grow strategically in the premium doc space over the next few years. You'll be working closely with the Founders, alongside Development APs and Producers.

The Role

This is a strategic, creative leadership position where you'll be:

• Leading premium docs development strategy across the slate – deciding where to focus energy, which commissioners to target, and how to position projects for maximum impact
• Writing pitch decks and sizzles to an exceptional standard. This is crucial. You need to take serious, intricate subjects and write them in a direct, populist way without losing the gravitas
• Pitching directly to commissioners at major streamers alongside the founders – you'll need proven relationships with decision‑makers at Netflix, Hulu, Apple, Nat Geo and others
• Managing the development team (Dev APs and Producer) – mentoring, guiding their projects, and helping them grow
• Understanding commissioner appetites and tailoring approach accordingly – knowing when to secure access first vs when to lead with a brilliant deck
• Developing both paid development projects and new ideas, working across true crime primarily but with broader factual sensibilities
• Bringing your own ideas and deep knowledge of the true crime landscape

You

• Significant experience in premium documentary at Head of Development level
• Established relationships with commissioners at major streaming platforms – we need someone who's known and trusted
• Outstanding writing skills – you can craft pitch materials that are both emotionally compelling and strategically sharp
• A proven track record of getting projects commissioned in the true crime space, but broader too
• Strategic thinking – you understand how to run a development slate efficiently and where to place your bets
• Leadership experience managing development teams
• Filmmaker sensibility – you understand story structure, contributor psychology, and what makes audiences feel something
• Energy, warmth and gravitas in equal measure. This is a friendly, open culture but you'll need to command respect
• Genuine passion for the true crime genre and what makes great documentary storytelling

Practicalities

• Based in their East London office, 4 days per week (Fridays from home)
• Full‑time, permanent position
• Starting ASAP, ideally by January 2025, but talk to us anyway if this is the prefect opportunity for you and you have a longer notice period

If you're an experienced development leader in premium docs with the relationships, writing chops and strategic nous to help shape this company's next phase of growth, we'd love to hear from you.

Use the Apply Now button to send us your CV and a succinct cover note highlighting your relevant experience. Look forward to receiving it :-)

As a proud champion of diversity and equality in production, we encourage you to tell us if you belong to any marginalised or under‑represented group in the industry - be that race, disability, sexuality, gender, socio‑economic background or religion, or if you have any other personal circumstance we can support you with eg jobsharing / flexible working requirement. We will not disclose this information to our clients without talking to you about it first, and your application will in no way be affected.