Senior Commissioning Editor, Current Affairs

Vacancy No
VN2597

Location City
Multiple

Location Country
United Kingdom

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Commissioning Editor – News and Current Affairs
Reports to: Head of News and Current Affairs
Department: Commissioning – News and Current Affairs
Grade: L1
Location: This role can be based in any of the C4 locations – Manchester, London, Leeds, Glasgow or Bristol.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

The News and Current Affairs department commissions a range of agenda-setting programming including Channel 4 News, Dispatches, Unreported World, and major current affairs documentaries. The department's work reinforces Channel 4's public service remit through revelatory journalism, innovation in storytelling and form, and a commitment to reaching broad audiences on C4, streaming and social

JOB PURPOSE

This role plays a key strategic leadership role, shaping the editorial and operational direction of News and Current Affairs with a particular focus on commissioning foreign investigations and long form films including Unreported World, overseeing the departments digital content and occasional deputising for the Head of News and Current Affairs

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Originate, develop, and commission innovative and impactful current affairs programming – with a particular focus on commissioning International current affairs.
• Provide senior editorial leadership across the department, helping shape the overall vision and strategy.
• Oversee complex, sensitive and legally challenging investigations, ensuring the highest journalistic standards.
• Overseeing and approving High Risk filming overseas
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of independent production companies.
• Foster diversity in commissioning, nurturing a broad range of on and off-screen talent.
• Work collaboratively with other Channel 4 teams including Legal & Compliance, Marketing, Press, Scheduling and Business Affairs.
• Regularly deputise for the Head of News and Current Affairs as needed, including in relation to Channel 4 News.
• Lead department-wide multi-platform strategies and ensure Channel 4's News and Current Affairs content is innovative and impactful across all platforms
• Oversee budgets and manage resources effectively to deliver ambitious programming within financial and regulatory frameworks.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to Commissioning Editors and Assistant Commissioning Editors.
• Represent Channel 4 at industry events and maintain a strong presence within the independent production community.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Extensive experience commissioning or producing award-winning international current affairs programming
• Demonstrable experience of navigating complex editor stories like Gaza-Israel
• Proven track record of managing complex, high-risk and legally sensitive content.
• Deep understanding of the UK and global current affairs landscape.
• Exceptional editorial judgment and ability to lead on sensitive and contentious issues.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience mentoring and managing editorial teams.
• Experience in handling foreign deployments and high-risk filming.
• Strong contacts and relationships across the independent production sector.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Thorough understanding of legal, compliance and regulatory frameworks relevant to current affairs.
• Commitment to Channel 4's public service remit and values.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Experience in undercover and investigative journalism.
• Creative flair and ability to develop distinctive storytelling approaches.
• Understanding of audience trends across digital platforms.
• Ability to foster collaborations with external investigative journalism organisation

Basic salary per annum starting from
£132,344.00

Application questions to complete

Please remember to complete the additional application questions by uploading a Word or PDF attachment. These questions really help us get to know you better and we won't be able to consider your application without them.

1. Please outline how you meet the 'Essential Experience & Skills' outlined in the Job Description (Max 500 words)

Benefits
There are a million reasons why it's great to work at Channel 4, here are just a few of the perks for you;
• Private medical insurance
• Free Virtual GP access for employees
• Free Female Health hormone test each year
• Free Tastecard membership
• Financial guidance 1-2-1's available each quarter
• Discounted Gym memberships
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Holiday Purchase

Hybrid working
From September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week.
Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days. Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. All our offices are open five days a week.

Applications Close Date
12 Nov 2025

Equal Opportunities
Channel 4's purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK.

We are only able to deliver on this remit by having a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background and lived experience. As an employer we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Disability Confident Scheme:
Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and has also maintained the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension's Disability Confident scheme – Level 3: Leader. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, we aim to offer an interview to all candidates who have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and who meet the essential criteria for an advertised job. If you wish your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please select yes when completing the application questions. For more information, please visit the Disability Confident Campaign website.

For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.

Care Leaver Friendly Employer:
Channel 4 is a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. By signing the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopting its principles, we are supporting an immensely talented yet often under-served and under-represented community of young people/ adults. We commit to offering an interview (and constructive feedback) to applicants who identify as care experienced and meet the essential criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. Applicants should indicate if they wish to apply under our Care Leaver Scheme by selecting the option on the application form.

For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.

Workplace Adjustments:
We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field when applying for a job and support whilst employed to perform to the best of their ability and develop their careers. If you have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and require any adjustments, additional support or alternative arrangements during the recruitment and wish to discuss this confidentially, please let us know via the following e-mail recruitment@channel4.co.uk