Director of Programming Strategy

Job Title

Job Description

We are seeking a results-driven Director of Programming Strategy to join our central Video Strategy team and help spearhead the growth and optimization of our YouTube channel portfolio. You will oversee the planning, tracking and analysis of our content on YouTube – from building channels from the ground up, analyzing the health of existing franchises, and reviewing the effectiveness of new pilots. You will use data, audience insights, and platform expertise to inform programming decisions, prioritize investment, and identify opportunities for growth and optimization across the portfolio.

The YouTube-first leader will be highly influential and collaborative, with a proven ability to engage creatively with Editorial, Video, and Marketing teams—translating insights into actionable strategies and securing buy-in to drive execution and audience impact. We’re looking for a resourceful operator, capable of juggling multiple projects and initiatives at once, who can move seamlessly from big-picture YouTube and audience strategy to real-time decision-making that unblocks teams and keeps growth on track.

Candidates must have foundational and proven experience in developing, communicating and executing a comprehensive YouTube programming strategy that drives hit making. 

Hybrid 3x a week- New York City 

In-office Expectations: This position is hybrid in-office, with the ability to work remotely for up to 2 days per week.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a cohesive, data-informed YouTube programming strategy that aligns with People Inc's growth goals.

• Partner cross-functionally to set brand level programming priorities, factoring in both audience funnels and business needs.

• Serve as an internal YouTube expert, providing strategic guidance on best practices, new features, and competitive trends to video leadership and the creative teams. 

• Translate data and learnings into clear, constructive guidance for creatives, fostering collaboration and stronger content outcomes.

Programming & Optimization

• Research, identify and pitch new programming verticals to video leads on the creative development team.

• Build frameworks to research topics and talent for pilot development and existing series. 

• Help oversee the end-to-end programming slate, ensuring a consistent, balanced, and optimized content cadence across all channels.

• Partner with the Optimization team to increase the effectiveness of release schedule, titles and thumbnails. 

Analytics & Reporting

• Prepare regular reports and present strategic recommendations to video leadership on channel health, content performance, and growth opportunities.

• Coordinate and develop creative lookbacks for series pilots.

• Define and track key KPIs.

• Monitor competitive landscape, identifying successful content, monetization, and growth strategies used by peer media companies and creators.

• In partnership with internal Data Science & Product teams, define and build suite of reports and dashboards.

The Role’s Minimum Qualifications and Job Requirements:

Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in a programming strategy, content insights or an optimization role for a major multi-brand media company or large scale MCN.

• Proven track record of significantly growing YouTube channels (subscribers, views, and/or watch time) and driving substantial revenue growth. 

Specific Knowledge, Skills, Certifications and Abilities:

• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to translate data into clear, actionable programming strategies.

• Proficiency with YouTube Analytics, third-party analytics platforms (ie:, Tubular), and general data visualization tools.

• Nimbleness is critical as we invest, grow and evolve – thrives in an environment where both collaborative and independent work is necessary; able to juggle multiple initiatives at once.

• Incredibly strong communication and presentation skills

% Travel Required (Approximate): 5%

It is the policy of People Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Accommodation requests can be made by emailing [email protected].

The Company participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: https://www.e-verify.gov/employees

Pay Range

The pay range above represents the anticipated low and high end of the pay range for this position and may change in the future. Actual pay may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to work location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of People Inc's total compensation package for employees. Other compensation may include annual bonuses, and short- and long-term incentives. In addition, People Inc. provides to employees (and their eligible family members) a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, unlimited paid time off (PTO), adoption or surrogate assistance, donation matching, tuition reimbursement, basic life insurance, basic accidental death & dismemberment, supplemental life insurance, supplemental accident insurance, commuter benefits, short term and long term disability, health savings and flexible spending accounts, family care benefits, a generous 401K savings plan with a company match program, 10-12 paid holidays annually, and generous paid parental leave (birthing and non-birthing parents), all of which may vary depending on the specific nature of your employment with People Inc. and your work location. We also offer voluntary benefits such as pet insurance, accident, critical and hospital indemnity health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance.