Development Executive, Drama; Scripted Content (English Services)

CBC/Radio-Canada•Toronto, ON

8d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience sourcing and packaging IP a plus.
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.

Responsibilities

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.