Vice President, Kids Content

Job Description

Vice President, PBS KIDS Content

Department: Content

Corporate Area: PBS KIDS

Status: Full-time/Regular/Exempt

Supervisor: Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS

Position Overview:

The Vice President of PBS KIDS Content will be responsible for overseeing development of PBS KIDS full content library – including linear broadcast programming, streaming video, digital games, and podcasts – in service of the PBS KIDS mission of educating and entertaining America's children. This executive will identify new industry talent with an emphasis on inclusion and retention, as well as work with current producers and co-production partners throughout the development and production process. This leader will oversee maintenance of the children's content pipeline and lead the team to effectively review proposals and programs for the PBS's National Program Service (NPS) as well as the PBS KIDS digital channel, streaming video platforms, games apps, pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS podcast library. The VP will manage a highly skilled team, and will work closely with team members, member stations, and the PBS KIDS Learning & Research team to identify gaps in PBS KIDS service and serve the curriculum needs of the PBS KIDS audience of children ages 2-8.

Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
• Grow and expand PBS KIDS' robust multi-platform content strategy by supporting high-performing properties, sourcing new talent across broadcast TV, streaming video, and games production, developing new and experimental approaches to content production, and considering new content types for emerging platforms (mobile devices, streaming platforms, and more).

• Work with producers, co-production partners and distributors throughout development, production, post-production, and launch.

• Manage a multi-platform content budget, devise, and improve funding models, and develop strategies to help sustain properties over time.

• Maintain awareness of the competitive children's media environment with the goal of continuing to differentiate PBS KIDS from the competition while remaining fresh, relevant, and engaging to today's children. Guide the PBS KIDS team through this environment.

• Sustain ongoing relationships with external stakeholders and other strategic and funding partners.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships within the creative community; identify and build partnerships with new producers/talent/writers toward the development of projects that appeal and are useful to children and the adults who care for them.

• Work with colleagues in the children's television, education, and advocacy industries to promote PBS KIDS work and the value of high-quality, non-commercial children's media.

• Manage a high-performing and highly skilled team with expertise in development network oversight, and production of children's TV programming, digital streaming video, games, and podcasts.

• Partner with the PBS KIDS Learning & Research team to provide industry thought leadership around best practices and how kids can learn best from media.

• Work closely with PBS colleagues to jointly meet company-wide goals.

Requirements for success:
• 15+ years of creative and production experience in a major children's media, television, gaming, or educational technology environment.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution or equivalent experience; Master's Degree level course work preferred.

• Background in child development or early childhood education preferred.

• Keen knowledge and understanding of emerging media trends.

• Experience engaging with and maintaining relationships with diverse teams, with a proven commitment to increasing diversity in content and talent acquisition.

• Extensive relationships with top-level producers and agents.

• Strong development and program creation track record of success.

• A strong team leader, ability to mentor and develop staff talent.

• Outstanding strategic business, interpersonal, project management and leadership skills.

• Has a demonstrated track record of leadership in building audiences, managing multiple priorities, and bringing new concepts to fruition.

• Brings both an Executive Producer and Production Executive mentality to the role in a manner that inspires and empowers producing partners.

• Leads with a strong attention to detail.

• A clear understanding of the PBS KIDS mission and a passion for creating media that can support children's learning and development.

• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with internal and external individuals and stakeholders at all levels with diplomacy and integrity; able to deal professionally and courteously with conflict.

• Collaborative leader and relationship builder; knows how to engage with teams and internal and external partners.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to juggle a variety of tasks and multiple projects and to adjust priorities on short notice, while consistently meeting production deadlines.

• Ability to manage internal and external client expectations on projects.

• Knowledge of, or experience in, public media is a strong plus.

• Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and within a team.

• Innovative, versatile, intuitive, and driven; mission oriented.

• 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-gpv5kx-216-73-216-62-42 in your application.