Development Executive - Documentaries

We are looking for an experienced Development Executive to join our Documentary team and take responsibility for driving development of our award-winning documentaries slate – across feature documentaries, docuseries, and factual/unscripted formats.

Whisper is a leading global production company, specialising in sports, unscripted and branded entertainment.

Our diverse team of over 270 work in offices across the UK and beyond, producing sports such as Formula One, UEFA and The Paralympics, as well as branded content, prime-time documentaries and entertainment quiz shows for a raft of broadcasters.

In 2023 Whisper won a BAFTA and was nominated for an International EMMY.

It's co-owned by Sony Pictures Television and is a seven-times Broadcast Best Places to Work.

The position would suit a Senior Development Producer or Executive, who is self-motivated and resilient with a passion for storytelling and a desire to develop brilliant original content.

Must have Proven track record of developing, packaging and producing successful premium documentary content with broadcasters, streamers and distributors around the world.

Must have established relationships in the industry with streamers, broadcasters and production companies.

Key Responsibilities:

To drive development of Whisper’s award-winning documentaries slate – across feature documentaries, docuseries, and factual/unscripted formats
Lead a collaborative development culture working closely with Head of Docs, Creative Director, Director of Production and external co-production partners to bring ambitious, globally relevant stories to life
Ensure a diverse mix of formats, genres, and voices identifying gaps leveraging the power of the wider Whisper business and surfacing the next wave of IP/ideas across linear, streaming, digital, and audio platforms
Guide creative alignment across Whisper departments and ensure development slate remain responsive to shifting cultural, audience, and platform trends
Incubate and develop early-stage concepts in partnership with emerging and established talent
Inspire, lead and oversee the documentary team on all projects
To oversee the delivery of creative, engaging and visually stunning pitch decks in response to RFP’s or a client brief
Ability to write first class content and develop treatments which showcases and promotes Whisper’s credentials while being diligent to detail and ensuring work upholds Whisper’s brand standards, values and guidelines
To demonstrate a good level of technical competency including Keynote, Photoshop and InDesign.

Please note that responsibilities may be amended, added to, or removed to reflect the changing needs of the production or organisation.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

5+ years experience of working at a senior level in development teams
Proven track record of developing, packaging and producing successful premium documentary content with broadcasters, streamers and distributors around the world.
Must have established relationships in the industry – streamers, broadcasters and production companies.
Originality of thought, clear creative thinking alongside practical understanding of how ideas can be formatted for production
First class literacy and copywriting skills, with a real attention to detail
Ability to operate in a broadcast or content production environment
Understand an RFP/ITT and translate this into pitch decks
Capability in handling varied workloads, prioritising and delivering to deadlines whilst reacting positively to changes and conflicts
Strong communication, collaboration, organisation and problem-solving skills.

Location:

The base for this position is Kew, London.

Working Days:

5 day week, x4 days in office and x1 day WFH
You will be expected to work with the team to plan a schedule based on production requirement
Lieu days will be given for any days worked over a five-day week
Whisper offer the option of flexitime hours subject to production requirements.

Start:

ASAP on a 12 month FTC.

Salary:

Based on experience.

How to apply:

Please upload your CV and tell us in your own way why you are the right candidate for this role.

Closing date: 27th October 2025.

Whisper is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, communities, and lived experiences. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.