Pickard leaves the broadcaster after three years, during which shows such as 'X Factor' and 'Doc Martin' were commissioned and Michael Parkinson was signed from the BBC.
In an earlier stint at Granada, Pickard was controller of children's and youth programmes, before moving to the BBC where he oversaw the launch of CBBC and CBeebies.
ITV chief executive Charles Allen was glowing in his praise for Pickard.
"Nigel has done a tremendous job in one of the most difficult posts in British television. Under his leadership, ITV1 has held its own in a fiercely competitive environment, ITV2 has become the biggest digital channel in the country and ITV3 and ITV4 both launched with record-breaking audiences," he said.
RDF has hired Pickard as director of family and childrens' programming, as well as managing director of soon-to-be-launched subsidiary dedicated to the development and production of children's programming.
Explaining his decision, Pickard claimed there has never been a more exciting time to join the independent production sector.
"I was very attracted by the fact that RDF has the capability not only to produce content but, through RDF rights, exploit it as well," he said.
The 'Wife Swap' and 'Scrapheap Challenge' production house hired BBC Three controller Stuart Murphy, who joined last month as creative director.
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