Project Manager, Digital Partner Distribution

Job Description

Project Manager, Digital Partner Distribution (Hybrid)

Department: Station Strategy & Development

Corporate Area: Station Services

Status: Full-time/Regular/Exempt

Supervisor: Director, Station Program Management

Position Overview:

PBS is seeking an experienced Project Manager to support the livestreaming and digital partner distribution initiatives, launching livestreamed local and national programming via PBS-owned digital distribution products, station-owned digital products, leading third party virtual multiple video programming distributors (vMVPDs, i.e. - Sling TV, Hulu , etc), and FAST platforms (Pluto, Tubi, Samsung TV+, etc).

Reporting to the Director, Station Program Management on the Station Services team, the position works with external stakeholders from 160 PBS member stations and an internal cross-functional team at PBS to plan, oversee, and document the streaming initiatives, while making sure the scope and direction of the projects stay on schedule. Additionally, this position will work closely with the PBS Business Development team to support the negotiation, closing, and ongoing management of distribution agreements with third party vMVPDs and FAST partners by providing insight, status reports, and communication on station readiness and intent to launch.

Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
• Communicate to stations the strategy and requirements for carriage on all platforms, coordinating with PBS Business Development, Technology & Operations (T&O), and Digital Product when applicable.

• Assess each station's intention and readiness level to launch on digital partner distribution platforms, to include considerations of content rights and programming strategies.

• Develop a benchmark budget, as needed, that will allow stations to setup and maintain a live stream to multiple platforms, both native and those of third parties.

• Support cross departmental teams and PBS stations in the negotiation, closing, and ongoing management of distribution agreements with third party vMVPDs and FAST partners.

• Establish a timeline for entire system of stations to launch their local live stream, mapping out milestones for each station as they are categorized into groups dependent on their intentions and capabilities (i.e. station provided broadcast feed with rights management in place, station new programming feed, or national feed with local station branding).

• Lead regular meetings of internal and external stakeholders, providing progress reports on station readiness and launch status, among other updates.

• Produce presentation sessions at PBS system wide meetings (TechCon, Annual Meeting) providing updates on consumer habits, the vMVPD business models, and any new strategy and live stream carriage requirements.

Requirements for success:
• 5 years technical project management

• 2 years of direct experience with IT and video distribution technology

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience in broadcast technology and project management

• Coursework or certifications in project management, telecommunications, or broadcasting are preferred

• Technical knowledge of video content distribution and a familiarity with the key roles and responsibilities of personnel and tools in the video content supply chain, i.e. rights administration, CMS administration, product and feed management, etc.

• Strong skills in succinctly and clearly communicating technical information to clients and stakeholders with varying levels of technical expertise

• Strong attention to detail and ability to track many tasks

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

• The ability to work effectively in a cross-disciplinary team

• Strong customer service commitment

• Understanding of digital television systems, the telecommunications industry

• Expertise with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Public media experience 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-g4zpbv-18-216-34-146-42 in your application.