MAIN PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME COORDINATOR ROLE
The Development Lab Programme Coordinator will be responsible for the logistics and production of the Future Proof programme. With support from Doc Society, FACT and the programme Manager this role will be the primary coordinator of the Lab, including scheduling, booking, arranging travel, and subsistence for guest participants, speakers, and external services to ensure the talks, workshops, screenings and group activities run smoothly.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Coordinate the scheduling, planning and production logistics of lab delivery
- Act as the first point of contact for all lab participants and guest speakers
- Coordinate production between lead delivery partners and external guests and vendors
- Ensure strong communications and administrative support
- Coordinate payments for hires, services, and speaker fees
- Event, travel, accommodation and catering booking coordination
- Ensure programme deadlines and schedules are met
- Support in reporting and monitoring on programme activities
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Strong organisational and time/project management skills with excellent attention to detail
- Experience in event planning and production
- Ability to deal calmly, confidently and positively with people at all levels, over the phone, via email and in person
- Proven ability to prioritise conflicting tasks
- The ability to work independently and proactively & take ownership of workflow systems
- Ability to remain calm under pressure
- Enthusiastic, can do attitude
- Documentary production experience at assistant or coordinator level
- Interest in Immersive and/or Documentary development and production
About Future Proof
Future Proof is a sustained programme for the development of new, formally innovative non-fiction cinema and immersive works by emerging to mid-career creators and filmmakers.
Future Proof is delivered by FACT and Doc Society, supported by the BFI Creative Challenge Fund, awarding National Lottery funding.
This development lab is designed to encourage 10 independent directors and lead creatives to develop bold new works and prepare their projects for financing. Future Proof asks the question: how can documentary makers adapt and learn from ever-developing technological futures such as AI, big data, and virtual/augmented environments, which simultaneously challenge notions of truth?
The programme modules consist of technological workshops, group working sessions, editorial consultations and a series of curated encounters with luminary non-fiction directors and artists. Each element of the programme is intended to advance the progress of written creative, technical and concept materials, in readiness to approach potential financiers and production partners. The lab will culminate in participating projects being introduced to non-fiction film and immersive funders at CPH:Forum (part of CPH:DOX, Denmark).
The hybrid structured programme will take place between January 2026 and April 2026, with defined stages to allow for project development between each encounter, comprising two residential labs–one in Liverpool (at FACT) and one in London (at 180 Studios)–plus virtual masterclasses and consultations.
Participants will be emerging to mid-career UK-based directors and lead creatives working across non-fiction film and/or immersive work. Participants will be working towards a project in line with the aims of the lab: investigating and/or working with new technologies, considering the cultural, environmental, and socio-political influences of these technologies and their impact on information ecosystems, trust, and the production of truth.
Location:
The freelance role will include a hybrid of remote and in-person work to deliver the Lab Programme. Applicants must be able to legally work in the UK. Priority will be given to applicants based in the North-West of England.
Availability and fee:
The Development Lab Programme Coordinator will be appointed on a freelance basis on a non-exclusive, freelance basis, though we would expect this appointment to be the Programme Manager’s first priority. The total fee available is £5,000, equivalent to a daily rate of £200 for up to 25 days in total.
Travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses will be paid on top of the daily rate where necessary.
The Programme Manager will be expected to use their work equipment, including their own laptop, whilst working remotely. A desk and laptop can be offered in London when needed beyond the in person Lab delivery dates. Access to software, subscription accounts, and telecommunications expenses will be provided where necessary.
The Development Lab Coordinator is required to attend the following key dates:
- Part-time remote work from January 5th March 20th 2026 (14 Days)
- Liverpool from 26th - 30th January 2026 (5-6 DAYS)
- A minimum of 3 virtual sessions will be scheduled between 2nd and 27th February 2026 (1-2 DAYS)
- London from 7th - 8th March 2026 (2 DAYS)
Equity and Inclusion:
We want Doc Society to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and to do their best work. Doc Society’s promotion of diversity and inclusion is clearly reflected in all of our documentaries and across all of our programmes. We are fully focused on equality and believe in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other characteristics that make us who we are. For this reason we strongly encourage applicants from under-represented groups.
Are you the right candidate?
If your skills & experience fit the above requirements and you would like to take the next step, please provide a CV and covering letter via the following Airtable links below by Midday GMT on December 15th 2025.
The covering letter should reflect on your work experience and why you are suited to this role, and in particular how your values align with Doc Society’s mission statement.
We would also appreciate you filling out our Equality Monitoring Form, which is anonymous, so we can better track who we are reaching.
How to apply
The closing date for applications is December 15th Midday (UK).
To apply, please follow this link:
https://airtable.com/appemsYsZj7Z84XBm/pagpjQt3dX8PIrXaQ/form
