VP of Development, International Production

What you'll do:

Under the EVP, Head of UK & Europe, International Production, with a dotted line into the SVP of International Production and Development, the VP of Development will have collective responsibility to help shape and oversee SPTIS’ creative strategy in the UK: partnering with premier UK creative writing and show-running talent to originate, develop, sell and produce premium original television content for all UK buyers, as well as international and US buyers, with a particular focus on the global streamers; and provide new original premium scripted content for Sony’s distribution pipeline. This scripted content will be multi-genre and in all television formats with particular focus on returning series, but to also include limited series, and single TV films at premium budget levels.

On a day-to-day basis, the VP of Development with the SVP of International Production and Development, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the in-house studio division in both London and Manchester as well as its P&L.

Whilst the VP Development may oversee occasional work for hire series for SPTIS, this role is primarily focused on creating a new pipeline of returning original content for SPTIS. Initiating, encouraging, developing, inspiring and managing positive, creative relationships with a wide range of talent with particular focus on show-running and writing talent. This role will be instrumental in selecting the best creative partners for SPTIS, to ensure a steady supply of the strongest ideas and projects for SPTIS.

The VP of Development, working with EVP, Head of UK & Europe, International Production, SVP of International Production and Development, and SPTIS business affairs, will help to create new talent deals that are attractive to talent but also protect Sony’s interests and ensure that SPTIS’ development resources are wisely spent. This role will be key to nurturing, building and maintaining SPTIS’ relationships with buyers, to ensure that SPTIS development projects convert to production in a timely manner, in line with the agreed creative strategy. The role also includes communicating SPTIS’ creative vision to the wider TV industry, particularly the agent community who represent the talent we will partner with, and to buyers.

As a senior editorial role, the VP of Development will provide editorial insight on the UK market to the global scripted team in LA, and work in close collaboration with them to find new creative opportunities, partnerships and co-ventures across the SPT group.

In addition to the above:

Although the strategy will be led by the EVP, Head of UK & Europe, International Production together with the SVP of International Production and Development, the VP of Development will assume a senior creative leadership role within the SPTIS management team. Helping to generate internal and external presentations for the group, including but not limited to budget forecasts, corporate presentations decks and sizzle reels. Carry out ad-hoc creative projects and driving the development and production of a slate of diverse and inclusion productions with global appeal for the UK, international and US markets.

What you have:

The ideal candidate will have proven successes as a highly creative and results-driven content developer and physical producer, including:

• Typically, a minimum of 7 years experience at established production companies in a true producing capacity, developing long-running returning series to budget and creative excellence.
• An established credibility and existing base of positive relationships within the UK scripted TV production market, including the creative community (writers, directors, producers, agents) in the same field.
• Direct relationships with all buyers in the UK, including international streamers who commission from the UK, as well as some direct relationships with buyers in the US.
• Successful in identifying premium scripted projects, developing, packaging and selling them to buyers, and producing and executive producing them to a first class standard
• Finely tuned communication skills and diplomacy to thoughtfully navigate complex organisations and a diverse mix of creative and corporate collaborators.
• Comfort with taking calculated risks, consistent with the prescribed goals of the group.
• Knowledge of UK and, ideally, international TV content development and programming, including broadcast, cable, pay and digital properties.
• Ability to deliver high quality work in a financially responsible and timely manner.
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Personal Characteristics:

• Works well with others, a great teammate. Able to encourage trust and collaboration among creative and business partners alike
• Creative, entrepreneurial mentality, comfortable operating and performing in a high pressure environment with agility and resilience, balancing multiple partners, projects and priorities.
• Creative mind for deal structures familiar with the evolving streaming sector and other buyer mentalities proven track record of effecting change
• Successful problem solver
• Ability to work in a highly-matrixed corporate structure
• Extremely strong communication skills
• Highly motivated, proactive and entrepreneurial
• Ability to travel
• Thrives in new environments