The Company is a newly established joint venture between Hachette and STUDIOCANAL. The company has been created to identify, develop and maximise the value of a portfolio of literary intellectual property through adaptation into premium Film, TV series and related screen content.
Role Purpose
The Development Executive will support the Head of OnScreen in identifying, developing, and managing a slate of film and television projects based on published and unpublished literary properties.
The role will provide creative, editorial, research and project management support across the development slate, helping to ensure projects progress efficiently from initial assessment through to studio-ready development.
This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious development professional seeking exposure to literary IP, scripted development and the adaptation process within a unique publishing and screen entertainment environment.
Key Responsibilities
· Identify books, manuscripts, and publishing properties with strong adaptation potential for film and television.
· Build relationships with literary agents and authors.
· Maintain relationships with film & TV agents and screenwriters.
· Assess literary properties for creative, commercial, and audience appeal.
· Prepare coverage, market analysis, and recommendations on potential acquisitions.
· Support negotiations and management of option and adaptation agreements.
· Develop adaptation strategies for selected properties.
· Commission and oversee writers, script editors, and other creative talent.
· Provide editorial notes and development feedback on treatments, outlines, and scripts.
· Guide projects through multiple stages of development.
· Identify and engage producers, writers, directors, and key creative talent.
· Track developments across publishing, film, television, and streaming sectors.
· Manage development budgets and project reporting where required.
· Conduct market and audience research to support development decisions.
· Monitor industry trends across publishing, film, television and streaming platforms.
· Research writers, producers, directors and other creative talent.
· Maintain awareness of commissioning priorities and market opportunities.
· Maintain development databases, project tracking systems and reporting tools.
· Coordinate delivery of scripts, treatments, bibles and other development materials.
· Organise creative meetings, workshops and stakeholder reviews.
· Ensure project documentation is current and accessible.
· Support business activities as required within a start-up environment.
Skills and Experience
· Experience in film or television development.
· Strong understanding of the adaptation process from literary property to screen production.
· Excellent script and manuscript evaluation skills.
· Knowledge of rights acquisition and intellectual property management.
· Strong project management and stakeholder management capabilities.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
· Experience providing constructive feedback to writers.
· Passion for storytelling and screen content.
Personal Attributes
· Strong creative instincts and storytelling judgement.
· Commercial awareness and understanding of audience trends.
· Collaborative and relationship-oriented approach.
· Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
· Passion for books, storytelling, film, and television.
