YouTube Channel Manager

About Rocket Booster

Rocket Booster, a Sphere Abacus company, is a next-generation content distribution and direct to audience business, built to champion the interests of TV producers and rightsholders in a rapidly changing broadcasting landscape. We distribute thousands of hours of programming across all genres, including documentary, sport and comedy and have partnered with more than 50 major VOD and FAST platforms worldwide. Our current channels include Cops, Strongman Champions League, Conflict and Jail.

With ambitious plans for the years ahead, we are now building a new in-house Social Video unit to develop a portfolio of YouTube and social media channels. This specialist unit will enable us to expand into creating social-first channels, leveraging our outstanding catalogue of shows, as well as developing channels with established creators and TV personalities. The role of the YouTube Channel Manager sits at the heart of this and will be directly involved in helping us shape this new and exciting area of the business.

We are hybrid team, based in central London with offices in Somerset House, currently working 2 days per week from the office.

About the Role

We are looking for a commercially minded YouTube Channel Manager to be the driving force and operational engine of our new digital unit. You will take programming from our extensive catalogue and turn it into thriving, revenue-generating channels on YouTube, as well as helping to manage a portfolio of talent-led and brand funded channels.

This is a hands-on role that combines strategic thinking with end-to-end ownership of our YouTube workflows: identifying shows, building the publishing schedules, leading packaging and optimisation, managing community, and analysing and reporting on performance. You'll be part of a new initiative, building channels from the ground up with the backing of an established content distribution business.

Key Responsibilities

· Work closely with the wider team to develop the YouTube and social video strategy.

· Set up and launch new channels on YouTube, Facebook and other platforms, working in close collaboration with our digital partners, talent or brands as required.

· Plan, build and maintain the publishing schedules across the portfolio of channels and be accountable for all aspects of quality control.

· Write compelling video titles, descriptions and metadata to ensure our content is optimised for search and discovery.

· Design high quality, eye catching and high-CTR thumbnails for all content, ensuring they follow any brand guidelines.

· Apply monetisation best practice across the channels to maximise revenue from our catalogue.

· Increase watch time, viewer retention and engagement, using data-driven strategies to understand what's working and what isn't across our channels.

· Moderate comments and manage communities on each channel, maintaining the brand voice and tone.

· Report on channel and video performance, translating analytics into clear, actionable insights for the wider business and to help us shape future channel strategy.

· Work closely with our Sales and Finance colleagues to unlock additional titles for digital exploitation and ensure rights information is reflected across our YouTube and social channels.

· Stay on top of platform updates, trends, algorithm changes and emerging formats and suggest/recommend any changes to ensure we stay ahead of the curve.

· Brief and manage external agencies and freelancers, ensuring any guidelines and documentation are updated when required.

Key Criteria

· 3+ years experience and a proven track record developing high-growth YouTube and social video channels (bonus if this experience is at a distributor, studio or similar media company).

· In-depth knowledge of YouTube and social media platforms, YouTube CMS, analytics and reporting dashboards.

· An analytical mindset, confident interpreting data and turning it into practical growth and programming decisions.

· Experience using creative tools and software (eg Premiere/Photoshop) for thumbnail creation and video editing.

· You have exceptional packaging skills and a deep understanding of how titles and thumbnails work together to drive CTR and watch time, without compromising brand integrity.

· Strong attention to detail and the organisational skills to support the running of multiple channels and projects simultaneously.

· A genuine enthusiasm for TV, non-scripted and factual content, and for the fast-moving world of digital and social media.

· Familiarity with analytics and optimisation tools such as VidIQ.

YouTube and social media are 'always-on' environments, so occasional flexibility outside standard working hours may be required around key channel launches.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need any adjustments at any stage, please let us know.