Programming Strategist (Optimization National Geographic and Kids & Animals 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, DTC, and YouTube. This team, part of the Disney Entertainment Television group, manages hundreds of hours of premiere and library content annually in both long and short formats. They develop release strategies to maximize audience reach across all platforms, acting as 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, specifically Nat Geo Animals and Nat Geo Kids. This role focuses on content execution, publishing, and driving performance growth. The strategist will collaborate cross-functionally to ensure effective content distribution and alignment with platform strategies, 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 YouTube channel.
- Familiarity in the designated Made for Kids space and direct experience navigating COPPA restrictions and MFK platform restrictions.
- Expert in digital content optimization, monetization, YouTube Studio/Analytics, growing an online community, SEO and/or copywriting, and YouTube best practices.
- Ability to translate complex trends into actionable content strategies.
- Skilled at collaborating with creative teams.
- Experience working with or within established brand guidelines for a globally recognized media company, including maintaining tone, visual style, and messaging consistency across content.
- Highly organized, with meticulous attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, Airtable, MS Office, Teams, and Google Workspace.
- Self-starter capable of prioritizing workflows in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Strong interest in online trends and National Geographic’s programming.
- Fast learner with the ability to master new systems independently.
- Proficient in both Mac and PC environments.
- Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the office at 7 Hudson Square in New York City.
- This role requires onsite work four days per week.
- Bachelor’s degree in a media-related field or equivalent work experience.
Nice To Haves
- YouTube certification is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Optimize content, metadata, and thumbnails across YouTube channels, aligning with brand performance and best practices.
- Enter all information required for upload and metadata flow for titles, descriptions, metadata, tags, chapters, thumbnails, and end screens to YouTube.
- Ensure accuracy, quality control, and timely delivery of all published content.
- Support execution of content plans defined by the Programming Strategy team.
- Manage daily channel operations, including homepage curation, playlist organization, metadata updates, and link maintenance.
- Work with Operations to troubleshoot upload, content, or platform issues and provide feedback on tools and workflows.
- Serve as one of the key contacts 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, CTR, and retention.
- Apply performance learnings to improve thumbnails, titles, and metadata; optimize content packaging and publishing cadence; and support testing and iteration of content formats and presentations.
- Implement YouTube best practices across all 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 insights.
- 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 technical workflows related to fingerprinting, content claims, monetization, and geo-filtering.
- Assist with implementation of platform features such as Shorts or 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
