Optimizer Programming Strategist, National Geographic YouTube
About The Position
The National Geographic Programming Strategy team is responsible for the planning and scheduling of National Geographic content across various platforms, including linear, nonlinear, direct-to-consumer, and YouTube. They manage hundreds of hours of content annually in both long- and short-form formats, developing release strategies to maximize audience reach across all platforms. This team acts as the primary curators, platform strategists, and slate planners for National Geographic content within The Walt Disney Company. The Programming Strategist will lead the daily management and optimization of National Geographic's YouTube channels. This includes driving content execution, publishing, and performance growth for the flagship channel and other channel initiatives. The role requires cross-functional collaboration to ensure effective distribution and alignment with platform strategy, utilizing YouTube analytics and creative tools like Premiere and Photoshop to produce data-driven, high-performing content.
Requirements
- 3+ years of experience managing and growing a major legacy brand’s YouTube channel
- Established editorial voice with proven experience supporting a globally recognized media brand required.
- Expertise in digital content optimization, monetization, YouTube Studio/Analytics, online community growth, SEO and/or copywriting, and YouTube best practices.
- Ability to translate complex trends into actionable content strategies and collaborate effectively with creative teams.
- Experience working within established brand guidelines, including maintaining tone, visual style, and messaging consistency across content.
- Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, Airtable, Microsoft Office, Teams, and Google Workspace.
- Self-starter who can prioritize workflows in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interest in online trends and National Geographic programming.
- Fast learner with the ability to master new systems independently; proficient in Mac and PC environments.
- Candidates must live within a reasonable commuting distance of the 7 Hudson Square office in New York City.
- This role requires onsite work four days per week.
Nice To Haves
- YouTube certification preferred.
- Ability to speak Spanish is preferred but not required.
- Past agency experience
Responsibilities
- Optimize content, metadata, and thumbnails across YouTube channels in alignment with brand performance goals and best practices.
- Manage upload details including titles, descriptions, metadata, tags, chapters, thumbnails, and end screens.
- Ensure accuracy, quality control, and timely delivery of published content.
- Manage daily channel operations, including homepage curation, playlist organization, metadata updates, and link maintenance.
- Partner with Operations to troubleshoot upload, content, or platform issues.
- Serve as a key contact for Operations, YouTube/Google partners, and internal stakeholders.
- Monitor channel and content performance in partnership with Research teams.
- Track key metrics such as views, watch time, click-through rate, and retention.
- Apply performance insights to improve thumbnails, titles, metadata, content packaging, publishing cadence, and content format testing.
- Implement YouTube best practices across uploads and channel experiences.
- Stay current on platform trends, algorithm shifts, and emerging features.
- Assist in testing and refining thumbnails, titles, and formats using performance data.
- Partner with Programming, Operations, Production, Marketing, and Digital teams to execute content plans.
- Support promotional campaigns, tentpoles, and cross-platform initiatives.
- Monitor audience behavior, trends, and feedback to inform optimization decisions.
- Share observations and insights with the broader team to improve programming strategy.
- Support workflows related to fingerprinting, content claims, monetization, and geo-filtering.
- Assist with implementation of platform features such as Shorts and Live initiatives.
Benefits
- A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
