Programming Strategist

This is a Full Time Job

Programming Strategist Planner (National Geographic NYC)

Job Summary:

The Programming Strategist supports day-to-day YouTube operations across National Geographic's portfolio (NG Brand, NG Animals, NG en Español, NG Kids), translating platform strategy into organized content plans and calendars. This role partners cross-functionally to optimize content for performance, search, and discovery, leveraging YouTube analytics, scheduling tools, and workflow systems (e.g., Airtable) to drive growth and execution.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role
• Operational Execution
• Act as a central hub for asset deployment, managing the end-to-end flow of content across all four YouTube channels to ensure strategic alignment.
• Supply Operations with all information required for metadata flow required for upload: titles, descriptions, metadata, tags, chapters, thumbnails, and end screens.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner closely with internal stakeholders to align content release schedules with broader company initiatives, serving as the point of contact for compiling all Social, Title Marketing, and Synergy content going to YouTube from our channels, including shortform, vertical shorts, and trailers.
• Strategic Growth
• Monitor channel and content performance in partnership with Programming and Research teams through internal analytics and the YouTube Studio Dashboard.
• Platform Management
• Oversee channel homepages, playlists, and SEO metadata to ensure a cohesive and high-performing visual identity.
• Channel Maintenance
• Daily maintenance and operations of YouTube channels, including updating links and inputting related meta-tags into the database.
• Programming Strategy
• Execute content plans in a variety of functions to support the Networks and larger Programming Strategy team.

Basic Qualifications
• Experience: 3+ years in Programming Strategy/Scheduling; experience managing a major legacy brand's YouTube channel (certification a plus). Experience working across a multi-platform brand ecosystem (YouTube alongside streaming, social, print, or linear TV) and maintaining consistent strategy across them.
• Platform Expertise: Expert in digital content optimization, YouTube Studio/Analytics, and file specifications.
• Strategic & Creative: Ability to translate complex trends into actionable content strategies; skilled at collaborating with creative teams. Experience working with or within established brand guidelines for a globally recognized media company, including maintaining tone, visual style, and messaging consistency across content.
• Operational Excellence: Highly organized, meticulous attention to detail, and proficient in Airtable, MS Office, Teams, and Google Workspace.
• Soft Skills: Self-starter capable of prioritizing workflows in a fast-paced environment with excellent written and verbal communication.
• Brand Affinity: Strong interest in online trends and National Geographic's programming.
• Technical Agility: Fast learner with the ability to master new systems independently; proficient in both Mac and PC environments.
• Candidates must reside within a reasonable distance of the 7 Hudson Square office in NYC. This role requires someone onsite 4 days a week.

Required Education
• Bachelor's degree in media-related field or equivalent work experience.