Head Of Programmes & Engagement

About OKRE

OKRE (Opening Knowledge across Research and Entertainment), is an organisation at the heart of the entertainment industry. It was established in 2020 to help TV, film and videogame creators deliver the best audience experiences by connecting them with breakthrough research and lived experience.

OKRE works with organisations across the ecosystem, spearheading a variety of initiatives as part of its mission is to connect the industry, spark projects and create serendipity. It does this by acting as a catalyst for the industry through the OKRE Network and the OKRE Fund.

While the impact of our work reaches everyone who consumes entertainment, whether through TV, Film or Videogames, as a charitable organisation we work most closely with content commissioners, creators, and sector leaders. We activate our network and our fund via research, major events, and workshops.

We achieve our mission in the following ways:

• The OKRE Network - We manage a network and database including game developers, screenwriters, television producers, film directors, charitable foundations, funders, academics, universities, and research institutions. Through the network members, we make connections across sectors and industries, and convene organisations, leading to exciting projects and transformative insights.
• The OKRE Fund – The Fund is the venture arm of OKRE’s work, providing early-stage and production funding to imaginative and collaborative projects across research and entertainment. OKRE Funded projects currently include videogames, TV and feature dramas, comedies, and immersive projects.
• OKRE Events – OKRE run on and offline events to boost and develop the network and activate collaboration across sectors. Our flagship event is the OKRE Summit which brings together content creators from across film, television, games, podcasting and social media with philanthropic funders and leaders from the charity sector.

About the role

We are now entering the next phase of our growth and are seeking an experienced individual to help scale the impactful work that we do across the entertainment eco-system, leading the development and delivery of an ambitious programme of work that expands people’s understanding of the world and transforms attitudes, beliefs and behaviours through popular entertainment.

You will work closely with the Director of OKRE to shape, design and deliver research and engagement events, building and advancing the impact of our international cross-sector community, and developing OKRE’s role as a global thought leader.

As a key member of the team, you will play a critical role in growing our diverse, innovative, and award-winning portfolio of content supported by OKRE Fund investments. You will grow and develop cross-sector collaboration, managing a team that empowers lived experience and research to work in the entertainment industries.

Essential criteria:

You will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Lead planning and delivery of OKRE’s programmes to support our goals, including the tasking, coordination, and support of other team members.
• Support growth and performance of the OKRE development and production funds, including contributing to screening and decision-making, as well as ongoing management of our portfolio.
• Work with colleagues to design and manage OKRE’s network model and cultivate sustainable trusted relationships across our diverse ecosystem.
• Act as an OKRE ambassador and spokesperson at engagement events and in other settings to our community and network, along with wider stakeholders, funders, and supporters.
• Contribute to and encourage a culture of continual learning, both within the organisation and across our community, helping ensure monitoring, evaluation and learning supports decision-making and improves our ability to achieve our charitable purposes.

About you

• Experience developing and running programmes and projects from strategy to delivery.
• Skilful networker, with interest and ability to build productive professional relationships with people across a wide range of industries and subjects, and at different levels of seniority.
• A commitment to, and practical understanding of, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Able to coach and manage a small team (you will be responsible for two staff members initially) and experience managing consultants and third part suppliers, delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Organised, analytical and a practical thinker, able to work efficiently to source necessary information, report results and make appropriate decisions.
• Highly capable negotiator and influencer; excellent communicator with strong writing skills, able to garner internal and external support.
• Highly adaptable, capable of working in and excited at the opportunity to help shape a dynamic and fast-growing international charity.
• Have an understanding of the charitable and philanthropic sector.

Applications

To apply please send your CV (max. 2 pages A4) with a cover letter outlining how you demonstrate the qualities, skills, and experience in the person specification to officemanager@okre.org .           

To request an informal discussion about the role, please email: i.dodgeon@okre.org     

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do and we actively encourage applications from those at different life stages. We are committed to creating an environment where all employees, workers and job applicants can thrive. We work to make our recruitment processes as inclusive as possible. If you would like us to make adjustments during the application process, please contact us. We expect our team to treat others on their merits and challenge any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation, or sexual, racial or any other type of harassment.