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Unscripted Development Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skydance

SVP, Alternative Unscripted

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$300K - $335K/yr

Oversee end-to-end development and sales of Alternative Unscripted series slate, from ideation and ... Hire, manage, and mentor showrunners, executive producers, directors, out-of-company experts and ...

Skydance

SVP, Alternative Unscripted

Santa Monica, CA

$300K - $335K/yr

Oversee end‑to‑end development and sales of Alternative Unscripted series slate, from ideation ... Hire, manage, and mentor showrunners, executive producers, directors, out-of-company experts and ...

Smosh

Producer - Smosh Pit

Los Angeles, CA

$133.60K - $135.80K/yr

Content Development - Contribute to brainstorms and help shape unscripted, comedy-forward formats ... Own and direct episodes when assigned, and help ensure shoot days run smoothly and collaboratively.

Smosh

Producer - Smosh Pit

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Content Development - Contribute to brainstorms and help shape unscripted, comedy-forward formats ... Own and direct episodes when assigned, and help ensure shoot days run smoothly and collaboratively.

Smosh

Producer - Smosh Pit

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$133.60K - $135.80K/yr

Content Development Contribute to brainstorms and help shape unscripted, comedy-forward formats ... Own and direct episodes when assigned, and help ensure shoot days run smoothly and collaboratively.

TIME

VP, Production, Studios

New York, NY

... unscripted series, specials, and branded content. * Oversee projects from development and pre ... Collaborate closely with executive producers, showrunners, directors, editorial leaders, and studio ...

TIME

VP, Production, Studios

New York, NY · On-site

$175K - $190K/yr

... unscripted series, specials, and branded content. * Oversee projects from development and pre ... Collaborate closely with executive producers, showrunners, directors, editorial leaders, and studio ...

ESPN

Director I

Bristol, CT

$115.50K - $154.80K/yr

... unscripted shows. * During automated productions - Directors will code rundowns; facs studio and ... Takes responsibility for personal development through independent observation and training.

The Walt Disney Company

Director I

Bristol, CT

$115.50K - $154.80K/yr

... unscripted shows. * During automated productions - Directors will code rundowns; facs studio and ... Takes responsibility for personal development through independent observation and training.

EAB

Director, Research Advisory Services

Richmond, VA

... unscripted conversations to help partners understand and implement EAB's advice. We deliver our ... Support sales in new partner development. Research Collaboration : Leverage terrain expertise to ...

EAB

Director, Research Advisory Services

Richmond, VA · On-site

... unscripted conversations to help partners understand and implement EAB's advice. We deliver our ... Support sales in new partner development. Research Collaboration: Leverage terrain expertise to ...

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Unscripted Development Director information

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$21K

$93.3K

$180K

How much do unscripted development director jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for unscripted development director in the United States is $93,350.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Unscripted Development Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Unscripted Development Director, you need expertise in content development, storytelling, market analysis, and a strong track record in unscripted television production. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Final Draft, Avid, and research databases, along with knowledge of pitching and legal clearances, is typically required. Creative vision, networking skills, adaptability, and leadership are critical soft skills for generating original ideas and managing development teams. These competencies are essential to create compelling unscripted content, secure network buy-in, and lead successful projects in a competitive media landscape.

How does an Unscripted Development Director typically collaborate with networks and production teams during the pitch process?

As an Unscripted Development Director, you’ll frequently work with both internal creative teams and external network executives to refine and present show concepts. Collaboration involves guiding writers, producers, and researchers in shaping compelling pitches and sizzle reels, then addressing feedback from network partners to tailor ideas for their audiences. Successfully navigating this process requires strong communication skills, flexibility, and a clear understanding of industry trends. Regular coordination meetings and brainstorming sessions are common, making teamwork a key aspect of the role.

What does an Unscripted Development Director do?

An Unscripted Development Director is responsible for overseeing the creation and development of unscripted television content, such as reality shows, documentaries, and competition series. They identify new show concepts, scout talent, and work closely with producers, writers, and networks to shape ideas into successful programming. Their role includes managing the development process from initial idea through to pitching networks and pilot production, ensuring the content aligns with industry trends and audience interests. Strong creative vision, industry connections, and project management skills are essential for this position.
What cities are hiring for Unscripted Development Director jobs? Cities with the most Unscripted Development Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Unscripted Development jobs? The most popular types of Unscripted Development jobs are:
What states have the most Unscripted Development Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Unscripted Development Director jobs include:
Unscripted Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Unscripted Development Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 18% As Needed, 73% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $93,350 per year, or $44.9 per hour.
SVP, Alternative Unscripted

SVP, Alternative Unscripted

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$300K - $335K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Join us at Paramount Sports Entertainment, a division of Paramount that unifies the company's premium sports storytelling across film, television, live events, gaming, and interactive experiences. A cornerstone of the division is Skydance Sports, based Santa Monica, the industry-leading sports content studio behind acclaimed scripted and unscripted projects created in partnership with the world's top athletes, leagues, and storytellers.
Known for standout projects such as Air, Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants, and America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys, Skydance Sports continues to build a bold slate of films, series, and documentaries featuring some of the most influential figures and institutions in sports, including the WWE, the University of Connecticut women's basketball program, Rafael Nadal, and Deion Sanders.
For more information on how we process your personal information, please review the Privacy policy located at https://privacy.paramount.com/recruitment-privacy-notice.
PSE, a Skydance Corporation, is seeking an SVP of Alternative Unscripted to oversee creative development and sales strategy for lifestyle, competition, structured formats and other alternative unscripted projects in the sports and sports-adjacent space. This leader will help build the division's identity, establish scalable creative development systems, and ensure that every project meets the highest editorial and operational standards. The role requires a blend of creative vision, sales expertise, and team-building ability to grow a slate that complements the company's premium sports scripted and unscripted pedigree while reaching new audiences.
Responsibilities
  • Oversee end-to-end development and sales of Alternative Unscripted series slate, from ideation and development through pitch and sales negotiation, as well as work closely with PSE production team to ensure premium execution of projects
  • Build a diverse slate of projects that leverage the company's sports DNA while expanding into new genres such as competition, docu-soap, food, dating, travel and live events
  • Source potential material for unscripted programming and hybrid formats that align with brand while expanding into broader entertainment categories
  • Oversee and create compelling, cost-effective development materials and sizzle reels
  • Hire, manage, and mentor showrunners, executive producers, directors, out-of-company experts and production teams across multiple concurrent series
  • Establish production workflows, budgeting systems, scheduling processes, and quality controls for development that scale with the division's growth
  • Collaborate closely with Production, Finance and Post, Editorial, and Post to translate concepts into executable, compelling development materials and projects
  • Maintain strong relationships with networks, streamers, agencies, global distributors, and production partners to position the company as a go-to reality supplier
  • Ensure all productions comply with legal, safety, union, and network/streamer requirements
  • Guide long-term strategy for building a repeatable, exportable formats catalog that can scale globally

Requirements
  • 20+ years of experience in reality, unscripted, competition/games television programming
  • Extensive leadership experience in unscripted TV, ideally with a track record of selling and/or executing premium series for major networks or streamers
  • Deep understanding of unscripted production logistics, budgeting, staffing, and creative problem-solving
  • Strong marketplace instincts and the ability to shape concepts into high-impact, commercially viable series
  • Proven success developing, managing, or selling unscripted formats in domestic and/or international markets, a plus
  • Experience with rights negotiations, licensing, and international distribution, a plus
  • Experience working with sports talent or sports-adjacent storytelling is a strong plus
  • Proven ability to build and lead high-performing production teams in a fast-scaling environment
  • Strong industry relationships across buyers, agencies, and production partners
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills

The salary range for this exempt position in Santa Monica, CA is $300,000-335,000 annually. The rate offered may vary based on the candidate's location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors. The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc.
We realize that skills and expertise can come from many different experiences and paths, and we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all of the requirements as written in the job description.
#Sports #onsite
Skydance is a diversified media company founded by David Ellison in 2010 to create high quality, event-level entertainment for global audiences. The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across its feature film, television, interactive, and animation divisions.
Recruitment Fraud Alert
It has come to our attention that there may be fraudulent activity by individuals impersonating our Talent Acquisition team. Skydance will only contact you from an official "@skydance.com" email address. If you suspect that you are being contacted by an unauthorized person or believe that the correspondence you have received is suspicious, please do not click on any links or attachments in such emails and submit any questions or concerns to our information security team at https://skydance.com/report-suspected-fraud/.

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