HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT - WHISPER NORTH in Salford

Whisper is a leading global production company, specialising in sports, unscripted and branded entertainment. Our diverse team of over 285 international employees produce top-level 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. Whisper’s creativity and storytelling are BAFTA-winning and Emmy International-nominated. It is also a Sunday Times Best Places to Work.

We are looking for an experienced Head of Development to join our team in Whisper North and take responsibility for driving development across entertainment and factual entertainment formats. Must have a proven track record of developing successful formats and winning commissions across various networks. Must have established relationships in the industry with commissioners at streamers and broadcasters. Must have experience working with a range of different funding models, including brand funding.

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.

• To drive development of Whisper North’s slate - across entertainment, factual entertainment and reality formats.
• Lead a collaborative development culture working closely with the Managing Director and Head of Production to bring ambitious, globally relevant formats to life.
• Work on a range of different funding models and actively seek out brand-funded opportunities.
• Ensure the development slate remains responsive to cultural, audience, and platform trends.
• Build and deliver creative, engaging pitch decks in a variety of styles and tones to sell ideas and meet briefs.
• 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.

• 5+ years of experience of working at a senior level in development teams.
• Proven track record of developing, packaging and producing successful entertainment and factual entertainment content with broadcasters, streamers and distributors around the world.
• Reality programming experience desirable.
• Proven track record of gaining access to different companies and organisations.
• Must have established relationships in the industry – streamers, broadcasters and production companies.
• Experience working with brands is desirable.
• 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.
• Background in producing network programmes, demonstrating a solid understanding and experience of production, along with relevant legal and compliance considerations.
• A real understanding of and passion for entertainment and factual entertainment formats.
• 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.

The base for this position is Salford.

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 requirements. Lieu days will be given for any days worked over a five-day work week. Whisper offers the option of flexitime hours, subject to production requirements.

April 2026 on a 6-month FTC.

Based on experience.

Friday 3rd April.

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