Company:

Location: Toronto, ON

Expected salary:

Job date: Sat, 01 Mar 2025 23:48:21 GMT

Job description: Background:Shaftesbury is an award-winning creator and producer of original content around the globe for television and film, set up by Christina Jennings in 1987. It is particularly well known for the long-running hit, Murdoch Mysteries (18 seasons for CBC, Acorn TV and UKTV) and also for Hudson & Rex (7 seasons for CityTV/UKTV), Slasher (6 seasons for Shudder/Netflix), Departure (3 seasons for Global/Corus Entertainment), and SisterS (with Sarah Goldberg for IFC and Crave). New series include Irish Blood (with Alicia Silverstone for Acorn) and Underbelly (with Stephen Amell, Hamza Haq and Minnie Driver for Crave and Fifth Season).In February 2021, Shaftesbury entered into a strategic partnership with AMC. This partnership focuses on creating growth for Shaftesbury’s existing and future slate of content across all genres and will create opportunities for Shaftesbury to become AMC’s production partner on some of its content. In addition to Acorn TV, AMC Networks operates the entertainment brands AMC, Sundance TV and BBC America and the fast-growing streamer services AMC+, Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK.In October 2024, Shaftesbury announced it was backing Carlo Dusi’s (ex Endor Productions) new UK based production company, Turning Point.Christina would now like to put in place a new creative leader to take the company, which already has all the key ingredients, to the next level.Role Summary:We are looking for a highly creative, innovative, entrepreneurial and strategic thinker to drive continued growth for Shaftesbury in this disruptive landscape. Someone who has breadth of experience over all genres – Prime Time, Co-view and Kids. Who understands how successful content deals are put together, knows the people to get to the table and understands the global market and what is needed. They need to be able to spot a winner that can become a returnable hit, and nurture it to fruition. This person must be able to seek out new global talent and bring it into the company. In addition, they must be able to find new ways to partner and fund content to engage with audiences.This person will be a strong leader, able to manage multiple skill sets and unite the business. They will need to have a keen editorial eye and appreciate what makes a script strong, but also be able to see the “bigger picture” of the business. Shaftesbury has been consistently at the forefront of innovation in funding partnerships, and this person will need to maintain and grow this. The global scripted market has seen declining budgets. So this person will need to excel at bringing innovative, commercial ideas and opportunities to Shaftesbury. In addition, they will need to have the reputation and the relationships to take the business into new hunting grounds.Responsibilities:– Leadership – people – excellent management skills, bringing teams together to work effectively with each other and being the focal point of the creative business internally and externally.– Leadership – business – possession of a vision, understanding of how to create financially successful creative partnerships, and excellent knowledge of the global marketplace. Input into P&L and financial reporting.– Strategic thinking – Ability to use data analytics and digital metrics to understand existing and new audiences when both selecting projects for development and maximising audience for existing shows. Using innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset to spot and deliver business opportunities in multiple markets.– “Getting greenlit” – strong ability to bring a project over the line with multiple partners.– Financial packaging – ability to prioritise and adapt ideas to make them financially viable and profitable.– Relationships – strong and wide network of international writers/creators, collaborators and buyers.– Development- strategic direction and strong quality control on the creation of new IP and the sales pipeline in collaboration with the VP leads.– Production – ability to review a script and give feedback on a production whilst being cognisant of budgetary realities. Understanding the opportunities that a script can provide for on and off-screen talent.– Quality Control – collaborating with the Head of Production to ensure the highest levels of quality on Shaftesbury projects.Key attributes:This role will suit someone who is experienced and held roles at a senior level at a scripted production company.They will need to be dogged in their approach with a firm entrepreneurial flair.The right candidate will have the trust and respect of the industry and the tenacity to drive things to completion. This person will be able to have difficult conversations when necessary, to elevate the quality of the product. Therefore, a sense of ambition for themselves, the team, the company and the product will be key as will excitement and enthusiasm for the challenge of taking Shaftesbury to the next level.A sense of humour is always useful.Reporting Line:Christina Jennings, PresidentDirect Reports:VP Creative
VP Strategic Partnerships & Scripted Content
2 Senior Creative ContractorsKey Colleagues:SVP of Innovation and Marketing – to build out the commercial and creative possibilities from new and existing IP.EVP Business Affairs and SVP Finance – over all budgetary issuesHead of Production – for all aspects relating to productionCarlo Dusi – Founder and MD at Turning Point – on global opportunities.AMC Key colleagues – for closer collaboration.Applications can be sent to:
sally@quicksmith.co.uk

Shaftesbury is a leading creator and producer of television and film content, known for popular shows like Murdoch Mysteries and Hudson & Rex. In 2021, they partnered with AMC to further expand their content slate. Now, they are seeking a new creative leader to drive growth and innovation for the company. This ideal candidate should have experience across all genres, a strong strategic mindset, and the ability to build partnerships and secure funding. They will need to be a strong leader, with the vision to take Shaftesbury to new heights. The role will report directly to the President, Christina Jennings, and work closely with key colleagues in different departments. Interested candidates can apply via email.