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Program Manager: Discovery Communications

Job Description:
Position Summary:

This position will play a key role in TLC's Primetime program development and current programming initiatives. The position will require communication and coordination with independent producers and production companies outside of DCI, as well with other internal departments, including production management, legal and business affairs, finance, international networks, communications, online, advertising and promotion.

Responsibilities:

1. Support creation and conceptualization of series, specials, stunts, franchises, properties, and other programming initiatives for Network. Research and develop programming ideas including writing requests for proposals and developing internally generated ideas.
2. Coordinate with Business Affairs to option properties, represent network investment ranges, rights, approvals and expectations for project.
3. Identify trends, formats and new producers for development and to create or identify Upfront Specials
4. Support oversight of relevant current programming
5. Develop new relationships and maintain existing relationships with agents, producers, and writers for all genres. Build new relationships with potential international and domestic partners.
6. Under direction of manager, review scripts, treatments, and materials submitted from external vendors and work with development team to provide timely feedback as assigned.
7. Work with Marketing, Communications, Ad Sales to assure projects meet all internal deadlines and are appropriately marketed and promoted with special emphasis on declared up-front specials.
8. Attend Markets and Festivals as requested with a special emphasis on seeking out new producers and projects
9. Oversee all aspects of editorial management of multiple outside production companies on multiple series and specials simultaneously, and in coordination with DCI internal departments to ensure timely, effective and on-budget development, production and delivery of original commissions and co-productions. Adherence to and accountability for all aspects of DCI's editorial, budgetary and production standards, as well as contractual and deliverables requirements for DCI programming. Review, edit, and approve preliminary and final treatments, outlines, shooting scripts, scripts, production schedules, budgets, selects, graphics, music, rough cuts, fine cuts, final narration and final versions of all assigned programs.
10. Coordinate with talent relations to secure hosts, new talent, experts and exclusivity deals.
11. Clearly communicate TLC's editorial requirements and standards of quality to outside production companies during earliest stages of development and pre-production.
12. As needed, represent the network to outside organizations and maintain partnerships both internal and external. Manage daily work, career growth, training and development of staff.


Requirements:

* At least 4 years experience in the broadcast or cable industry in production, programming, or development.
* At least 1 years of specific network/cable buying experience desired.
* Extensive relationships with the production community.
* Strong development and show creation skills.
* Strong leadership and motivational skills, with demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision and under pressure to meet tight deadlines within budgetary constraints.
* Superb written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Strong aptitude in Research.
* Ability to consistently generate and execute new ideas. Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects in varying stages.
* Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
* Computer literacy and database aptitude a must, knowledge of Word for Windows, Lotus Notes, Excel, Access preferred.
* Must have the legal right to work in the United States.