Editor-in-Chief of Documentaries

We are looking for an enthusiastic:

EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF DOCUMENTARIES, with a focus on talent development

Documentaries have always been an important narrative form for VPRO. VPRO documentaries stand out because they always bear the distinct signature of their creator. An auteur documentary at VPRO always begins with a cinematic idea, a perspective, or the filmmaker’s vision. Sometimes a documentary may also be more journalistic or socially oriented, revealing something or exposing an issue. Still other documentaries are polemical, essayistic, or argumentative. All of these are documentary forms that fit within VPRO—as long as they stem from a strong vision or form.

As a senior editor for documentaries, you will work in the Documentaries Department with a small team that works independently on its own projects. The editorial team consists of two senior editors, each with a different area of focus. You will report directly to the Editor-in-Chief of Media.

What is expected of you?

• You will work in the Documentaries department, where you will be responsible for talent development. You will independently coordinate various projects that focus primarily on shorter documentaries (10–25 minutes). You will mentor emerging documentary filmmakers and help them find their voice and style. Throughout the entire process—from initial idea to final edit—you will inspire, encourage, and mentor these young filmmakers and directors, helping them develop their skills as creators.
• You maintain contact with various development and talent departments within VPRO and with colleagues at other NPO broadcasters to help creators advance their careers. You will oversee the development of plans and funding applications for directors and will also collaborate extensively with producers and directors from outside VPRO. To this end, it is important that you can maintain strong relationships with various parties—such as the NPO, external producers, and funding organizations—within the multidisciplinary editorial team.
• You will evaluate documentary ideas from potential filmmakers and decide which projects VPRO will take on. To do this, it is important that you have a strong background in dramaturgy, an eye for original stories and narrative styles, and an understanding of current social issues.
• You will also actively scout for new talent yourself and contribute ideas on potential new programs and policies related to talent development. You will help shape VPRO’s direction in the areas of talent development and documentaries, and maintain contact with relevant documentary and film festivals on behalf of VPRO. To do this, you either have an existing network of creative young filmmakers or are able to build one quickly.
• You will also be responsible for the productions created by VPRO within existing talent development programs such as Teledoc Campus, Ongeschreven Regels, and NPO 3Lab. Since this role involves a wide range of responsibilities, you will utilize appropriate structures to set strategic and realistic goals in collaboration with the editorial board.
  
  

What do we offer?

An inspiring and challenging position in a small, highly skilled team. At VPRO, there is plenty of room for professional growth and taking the initiative. We offer a contract for 32–36 hours per week, initially for one year with the possibility of extension. It is possible to work from home 1–2 days per week, subject to mutual agreement. The salary ranges from a minimum of €4,000 to a maximum of €5,200 per month, based on a 36-hour workweek, depending on age and work experience. The other terms of employment are in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement for broadcasting staff, including an 8% vacation allowance and a 6% year-end bonus.

Interested?

We look forward to receiving your application! At VPRO, we strive for the broadest possible representation of Dutch society. Everyone should feel welcome at VPRO and see themselves reflected in the stories we tell. VPRO prioritizes content and professionalism. Our job openings are therefore open to any candidate who feels the role is a good fit.

Instead of a traditional cover letter, we’d like to read your answers to the questions below, along with your resume.

• As an editor-in-chief, you review several new documentary proposals every week. What are the three most important factors you consider when evaluating those proposals, and why?
• As an editor-in-chief, you regularly attend screenings of rough cuts. How would you handle the following scenario? You’ve been invited to the first screening of a film. At the request of the director and producer, the screening has already been postponed twice, against your wishes. Unfortunately, the edit you see is disappointing, but the filmmakers are convinced the film will turn out well. The time remaining for editing is very limited. How do you handle this?
• Which two new creators would you immediately set up a meeting with as soon as you get this job? And why?

Please submit your responses and resume by June 11, 2023, via our career page at.

For more information about this position, please contact Thomas Vroege, Editor-in-Chief of Documentaries, at t.vroege@vpro.nl.

At VPRO

• You'll work in a stimulating and creative work environment
  
• Your office is located in a stunning architectural gem (the most beautiful building in Hilversum, if we do say so ourselves), a 7-minute walk from the train station in a wooded area
  
• you have excellent training and development opportunities
  
• you will be provided with a laptop
  
• In this role, you have complete flexibility to organize your own work
  
• experience legendary summer parties and much-talked-about New Year’s Eve parties
  
• You can eat in our newly renovated company cafeteria and enjoy the most delicious coffee served by our certified baristas in our very own Petit Café
  
• you get 200 vacation hours per year
  

Sustainability

At VPRO, we strive to operate as sustainably as possible. We use a variety of tools to reduce our CO2 emissions as much as possible. For example, we work with albert, an international sustainability platform for broadcasters, which aims to minimize CO2 emissions from the production process.