Head of Unscripted Development

Warner Bros. Discovery is hiring a Head of Unscripted Development based in London to lead the creative origination and growth of its unscripted content slate. This role sits at the front end of the unscripted television pipeline, responsible for identifying, developing, and shepherding non-scripted formats and series from initial concept through to greenlight. It suits a senior development executive with a proven track record of getting unscripted projects commissioned at a major broadcaster or studio.

About the Role

The Head of Unscripted Development operates within the Warner Bros. Discovery content and production division, working across factual entertainment, formats, and documentary series for both linear and streaming platforms. Day to day, this person is in conversations with independent production companies, overseeing treatment development, and working closely with commissioning and production teams to build a pipeline that reflects the appetite of the market. The role carries real creative authority over the direction of the unscripted slate.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of original unscripted formats and factual entertainment series from pitch stage through to production-ready packages.
• Identify and build relationships with independent producers, talent, and external production companies to source new project ideas ahead of the market.
• Oversee the creative development process including script outlines, taster tapes, and series bibles for presentation to commissioners.
• Work directly with the commissioning team to align the unscripted development slate with platform and broadcast needs across linear and streaming.
• Manage and mentor a development team, setting priorities and maintaining output across multiple projects in various stages of development.
• Track genre trends across international unscripted television to inform acquisitions, co-productions, and original format development.

What You Bring

• Substantial experience in a senior unscripted development role at a broadcaster, streamer, or major production company.
• A strong track record of credits across factual entertainment, format television, or documentary series that have reached commission and air.
• Deep knowledge of the UK and international unscripted television market, including co-production structures and format licensing.
• Experience managing development teams and working across multiple projects simultaneously at different stages of the pipeline.
• Existing relationships with independent production companies and on-screen talent relevant to the unscripted space.

Why This Role

Warner Bros. Discovery operates one of the broadest content networks in the business, with unscripted output spanning multiple channels and streaming platforms across the UK and internationally. This Head of Unscripted Development position offers genuine influence over the direction of a major studio’s non-scripted slate at a time when the unscripted television market continues to carry significant commissioning volume. London remains a central hub for European content development, and this role is positioned at the middle of that activity.

Apply now for the Head of Unscripted Development role at Warner Bros. Discovery and put your development slate where it belongs.