Job Description
Job Title: Genre Assistant, Drama
Reports to: Commissioning Editor
Department: Drama
Location: London
Job Grade: P3
Department Description
Channel 4 Drama aims to commission and broadcast the most talked-about and original drama in the UK, commissioning new work from both established and up-and-coming drama writers, in order to be a surprising, thought-provoking, entertaining alternative to the drama output on other channels. We strive to be true to the Channel's remit, balancing the popular with the provocative.
That includes Russell T Davies’ landmark drama about the HIV epidemic It’s A Sin; Helen Walsh’s gripping thriller The Gathering; Queenie – the sharp and funny adaption of the novel of the same name by Candice Carthy Williams; renowned director Ben Wheatly’s Generation Z and most recently for 2025, Brian and Maggie by James Graham. We are also the home of the award-winning, progressive soap Hollyoaks - one of the flagships of the department's output.
Through drama, we are always encouraging audiences to look at the world in a new and different way. In order to achieve this, we seek to create a departmental environment which is adventurous, inspirational and a welcome partner for all voices in the UK scripted industry, with professional and respectful relationships with independent production companies.
This role would suit someone collaborative, energetic and highly organised, with experience in administrative roles.
Job Purpose
- To provide the highest level of administrative support to the Drama Commissioning Team.
- To provide cross-genre support to other Commissioning Teams as and when required.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assistance to key members of the drama team, providing full administrative support including diary management, travel arrangements, arranging events, dealing with general correspondence, and expenses filing.
- Ensure visitors to the Drama team are handled appropriately.
- Provide holiday/sickness cover for other PA’s within the Commissioning department.
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE & SKILLS
Technical & Professional Skills
- Proven ability to cope in a very busy environment and to perform in high-pressured situations, able to cope with several tasks at once.
- Proven ability to have and use initiative, but also be able to respond to orders and have a willingness to do whatever is required.
- Proven ability to prioritise tasks and work effectively without supervision.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to be part of a team, work well with others in an open-plan department and deal politely with visitors from other companies.
- Possess a keen attitude and a willingness to learn.
- Flexibility, patience, perseverance and commitment to get the job done.
- Proven ability to work with confidential materials and issues.
- Always display a helpful attitude whilst managing diaries carefully and sensitively.
- Ability to assist with the creation of PowerPoint presentations.
Autonomy/Judgement/Decision Making
- Expected to manage their own workload by prioritising accordingly and reporting back on completion.
Relationship Management
- Builds valued and trusted relationship within Commissioning, with senior members of the Commissioning Team, and across the business in order to handle confidential matters appropriately and effectively.
- Some members of the team will be based in different offices across the UK, and so the Genre Assistant must also be happy to develop relationships remotely.
- Maintains relationships with peers across all departments.
Complexity/Problem Solving
- Proven ability to operate within an ever-changing environment as well as dealing with both routine and non-routine problems.
- Proven ability to work efficiently under pressure.
Salary Basic starting salary of £28,000.00 per annum, dependant on experience
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.
- 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 with NO EXCESS
- 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
- Free OnHand (as featured on Dragon’s Den) volunteering membership
- Discounted Gym memberships
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Holiday Buy/Sell
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 18 Mar 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.
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
