Director, Digital Operations, Digital Studios

Job Description

Director, Digital Operations, PBS Digital Studios

Department: Content Development, Acquisition & Strategy
Corporate Area: PBS Digital Studios
Status: Full-time, Project, Exempt

Position Overview:

PBS Digital Studios (PBSDS) is the digital programming content division that reports into General Audience Programming. Utilizing best-in-class strategies across content and distribution platforms, PBSDS brings an industry-competitive approach to the business of public media. Our award-winning team works cross-functionally to create high-quality, diverse video and audio programming for audiences across multiple platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, podcasts and more. Delivering on average over 50 million views per month, the team currently produces 300+ digital videos per year in relation to core PBS genres like culture, natural history, science, documentary, health & wellness, and arts.

This role will be an opportunity to work with some of the industry's top educators and creators and to help deliver PBS' longstanding tradition of content that engages, educates and inspires to a new generation of viewers.

The Director, Digital Operations will work with the Head of PBS Digital Studios, GA departments, and other PBS corporate areas to collaboratively lead operations for digital-first programming and digital channels distributed within the PBS Digital Studios' YouTube network and other platforms. He/she/they will also support sponsorship efforts to grow the PBS Digital Studios' online original content business.

Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
Operations Management:
• Provide day-to-day oversight and ensure compliance for PBS Digital Studios budgets, grants and financial deadlines

• Manage budgets and expenses, serving as a liaison with the PBS Finance and Accounting departments

• Work with the PBS Digital Studios team, Production Management, Legal, and other departments to manage the creation, execution and tracking of all agreements for PBS Digital Studios producers, shows, talent, vendors and partners; craft; maintain an up-to-date list of key dates, current shows and associated rights and distribution platforms

• Manage the development of policies, processes and documentation governing the group's working relationships with PBS Digital Studios sales team, sponsors, vendors, producers and distributors; implement workflow/processes to ensure operational efficiencies

• Manage producer onboarding to services including data tracking tools, music services, closed captioning, etc.

• Manage relationships with outside vendors

• Lead, motivate and inspire digital operations team members for optimal performance

Business Development:
• Collaborate with PBS Foundation to prospect grants, develop proposals and foster relationships with new potential supporters

• Generate sponsorship leads and sell all available inventory, maintain recordkeeping system of all sponsorship

• Develop and lead the implementation of other revenue generation strategies (i.e. crowdfunding, Patreon)

• Manage and report incoming revenue from ads and sponsors

• Report and execute on producer revenue distribution

• Work with producers to orchestrate sponsorship related content, acting as representative for PBS when content is delivered

• Meet regularly with Finance and Accounting to ensure accurate record-keeping, policy compliance and smooth accounts payable-receivable workflows

• Manage Google ads relationship and Adsense reporting system for Digital Studios

• Manage advertising inventory settings on various distribution platforms

Additional Responsibilities
• Lead the planning and execution of conferences, special events and training sessions with a variety of internal and external constituencies aimed at growing the reach, scale and visibility of all programs within the PBS Digital Studios network

• Maintain working knowledge of all YouTube and Over-The-Top platforms, staying abreast of ongoing updates and communicating their impacts to the internal team and larger producer community

• Maintain relationships with Google and YouTube representatives, as well as other platforms like Facebook, TikTok and others

Requirements for success:
• Bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of skills, training and work experience

• 5+ years of experience managing department operations including budgets, revenue flow and business development practices such as talent management, contract negotiations, and deal flow management

• 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, including prospecting grants, developing proposals, managing sponsorship packages and rate cards

• 3-5 years of experience working with a digital team (content creation, online publishing, or product development)

• Experience leading, inspiring and motivating a team with demonstrated success

• Familiarity with digital video production, audience development, social media strategies, paid media, ad serving platforms and SEO marketing

• Entrepreneurial, strategic and iterative mindset, eager to learn

• Detail-oriented, highly organized, strong analytical skills, ability to manage multiple projects at once

• Productivity software skills, including proficiency with Mac and PC software, Office 365, Word, Excel, CMS Tools etc., as well as project management tools like Airtable, Asana or Trello

• Working knowledge of YouTube, OTT or digital video platforms preferred (OTT includes Xbox, Apple TV, Roku

• Creative, collaborative and team-oriented

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

• Willing to collaborate with all internal and external stakeholders

• A commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion as a core principle of the organization's work

• An understanding and knowledge of challenges affecting public media is a plus

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

PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer in accordance with the EEOC and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d85kqk-18-191-234-62-42 in your application.