Development executive, Poison Pen

Closing date for applications: Sunday 8th February 2026

Salary: £40,000 - £50,000

Location: London

Division: Media & Entertainment

Business Area: Media Production

Work at the centre of scripted development, shaping distinctive drama and nurturing writing talent from early ideas to commissioned scripts.

ITV is a vertically integrated producer broadcaster and streamer, consisting of ITV Studios and Media & Entertainment (M&E).

Poison Pen is seeking a visionary Development Executive to drive our high-end UK and US drama slate from concept to greenlight. Partner with the President and Executive Producer to build a precise, commercial slate of high-end drama commissions. If you have the proven track record, editorial instinct, and passion to shape the next wave of must-watch TV, this is your chance to lead.

The role

• Working with the President and the Executive Producer to manage and build on both the UK and US slate.
• Have a strong knowledge of writers (established and emerging) and an understanding of their suitability to particular projects/genres.
• To foster and nurture new and existing writing talent.
• Read books and scripts under consideration and provide feedback as needed
• Provide creative feedback and direction on key stages throughout the development
• process for writers and development team
• To bring ideas to development meetings in line with our development strategies.
• Communicate with broadcasters / commissioners regularly, alongside the ITV distribution team
• Cultivate relationships with agents, writers and creatives within the industry
• Pitching the slate internally and externally
• Strategising what the slate is missing, where the market is going and ensure the team is aware of creative goals
• Monitor and remain on top of trends in programming

Knowledge, skills and experience

Minimum critera

• Demonstrable experience as a credited Development Executive (or experienced Scripted Editor) for a minimum of at least two high-end drama productions. (Please evidence in CV)
• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience working in development for a television production company with a proven track record in high-end drama. (Please evidence in CV)
• Demonstrable passion for scripted TV.
• Strong understanding of the development process in high-end drama. (Please evidence in CV)
• Proven experience in actively researching and identifying up-and-coming writers and directors within the British television landscape.
• Experience managing script submission processes, including responding professionally and efficiently to literary agents and established writers.
• Direct experience providing constructive and insightful development and script notes for high-end drama productions.
• Involvement in taking television drama projects from their initial concept stage through to script commission and development.
• Proficiency in using Final Draft.
• Familiarity with and passion for Poison Pen slate.

Key criteria

• Strong knowledge of British TV writers, both established and new, and understanding their strengths.
• Excellent editorial skills and instincts to spot strong projects and give helpful feedback on scripts and ideas.
• Experience of story editing.
• Good relationships with literary agents and a talent for building strong connections with writers.
• Experience in contributing creative ideas to develop projects with senior colleagues.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate clearly (both written and verbal) and inclusively with people from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences with the ability to give clear and sensitive feedback.
• Excellent written skills to deliver a variety of supporting documents quickly and accurately.
• An understanding of diverse UK audiences and a perspective on how to make programmes that appeal to them.
• Experience in presenting project ideas to TV channels or senior leaders.
• Well-organised and able to manage multiple projects at once, paying attention to detail.
• Ability to conduct thorough research to support both development and production, ensuring accuracy.
• An understanding of and alignment with Poison Pen’s values around diversity, inclusion and accessibility in storytelling
• A passion for commercial TV (particularly crime and thriller), film, theatre, and comedy, with a keen interest in discovering new talent and trends.
• A flexible, problem-solving mindset, able to navigate new challenges in a fast- paced, growing company.
• Comfortable with a hands-on, multifaceted role, where responsibilities may evolve as the company grows.
• A keen interest in books, graphic novels, animation, podcasts, documentaries, global narratives, and other mediums that could spark new project ideas.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.