Assistant Director, Content, Kids

Job Description

Assistant Director, Content, PBS KIDS

DEPARTMENT: PBS KIDS Content

CORPORATE AREA: PBS KIDS

STATUS: Full-time/Project/Exempt (This position is fully funded through September 30, 2022, and will be renewed on receipt of additional federal appropriations approval annually through September 30, 2025)

SUPERVISOR: Sr. Director, Content, PBS KIDS

Position Overview:

PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital platforms and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS also offers mobile apps to help support young children's learning in literacy, science, math and more.

The Assistant Director, Content, oversees strategic and creative development of a portfolio of PBS KIDS' educational games, podcasts, and websites and other digital experiences for kids ages 3-8, upholding the highest quality educational and design standards and ensuring that content supports the overall PBS KIDS strategy and goals across platforms. The incumbent works closely with PBS KIDS series producers and internal design and technical teams from concept to launch. The Assistant Director should be equally passionate about education and games and innovating around both.

This position is funded by the Ready To Learn (RTL) grant from the US Department of Education. The Ready To Learn project is a joint initiative of PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) focusing on the development and dissemination of content across media to improve learning, with an emphasis on building career readiness and literacy skills for children ages 2-8.

Key Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
• In collaboration with producers of PBS KIDS content, developing cross-platform digital content that aligns with series' educational goals, key promotional and programming priorities, and affordances of different platforms.

• Shepherd development of new HTML5 games and digital experiences on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Games app, working in collaboration with producers and educational advisors to ensure games meet educational goals and priorities in the Ready to Learn grant.

• Shepherd production and development of kids and family podcasts in concert with PBS KIDS producers and the PBS KIDS team, with a focus on interactive content to complement the listening experience.

• Participate in PBS KIDS digital product development ideation, development, and producer on-boarding; coordinate editorial efforts with internal departments (e.g. Marketing, Programming).

• Facilitate user testing of games and digital content with kids ages 3-7 years old, including the development of testing protocols and reporting findings and actionable solutions.

• Interpret and apply research and analytics reports to inform content decisions, including supporting implementation of a learning analytics platform.

• Implement PBS KIDS brand vision and values through editorial direction of games and curated content features.

• Prepare communications around production deliverables and strategy in the form of presentations or written reports to a variety of stakeholders.

• Serve as integral member of PBS KIDS Content team, participating in group projects and discussions, staying up-to-date on research and related trends, and contributing to overall vision and strategy.

• Inform and contribute to production process requirements, content policies, and best practices documentation for producers and outside developers.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements for success:
• 3 years' experience in online content creation, game design, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Bachelor's degree in Educational Technology, Interaction Design, Communications or related field; or equivalent work experience. Master's degree a plus.

• Experience working across teams, managing budgets, and leading educational initiatives.

• Extensive project management and/or producer experience including budgeting, timelines, requirements gathering, and communicating project needs to others.

• Strong understanding of and direct experience with web development technologies, content management systems, databases, and analytics tools.

• A keen design sensibility with the ability to lead and communicate production critique.

• Experience in early childhood education and/or familiarity with child development.

• A positive team player and a creative problem-solver who can effectively collaborate with colleagues from multiple disciplines.

• Strong presentation skills, including the ability to manage production critiques.

• Superior organizational skills and orientation to details.

• Experience developing interactive learning projects for children is strongly desired.

• Experience with podcast production preferred.

• Familiarity with children's privacy guidelines, a plus (e.g., COPPA).

• Must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by date of hire to be considered. Proof of vaccination required.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gx67pz-3-147-65-65-42 in your application.