8+ years of experience in growing and managing YouTube channels at content companies
4+ years of people management experience, ideally in team building
Proven track record of programming high-volume channels reaching millions
Expert knowledge of YouTube discovery and audience growth strategies
Fluency in YouTube Studio analytics and ability to act on data insights
Hands-on experience with YouTube Shorts and copyright management
Strong editorial instincts with a clean writing style
Responsibilities
Execute and oversee the long-term YouTube channel strategy
Build and manage the annual YouTube operating plan
Lead planning for new channel launches and create a repeatable launch playbook
Direct daily channel operations, including scheduling and publishing
Design and implement tests for new formats and features
Own the quality of video packaging, including thumbnails and descriptions
Drive audience growth and optimize channel performance
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Generous paid time off
Paid parental leave
Team events and company-sponsored activities
Full Job Description
Director, YouTube
This is a full-time, in-person position located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support release schedules and time-sensitive channel issues.
About the Director, YouTube
The Director, YouTube leads Audiochuck's YouTube content operation, working hands-on to run daily operations while executing our long-term, multi-channel strategy. The role is equal parts editorial and strategy: accountable for day-to-day channel execution, the editorial quality of everything published beyond the full episode (Shorts, thumbnails, titles, descriptions, and chapters), and the analytics that tell us what is working.
As Audiochuck scales its video audience, this role will develop recurring formats that keep viewers coming back, experiment with new platform features, and use performance data to shape what we make. The Director treats packaging as editorial: a thumbnail and headline are the front page of every video, and they must reflect Audiochuck's voice, tone, and standards for ethical true crime storytelling.
The Director builds and owns the annual YouTube operating plan, leads the launch of new channels as our slate grows, manages the Channel Manager and YouTube Producer, and serves as Audiochuck's subject-matter expert on YouTube.
This is not a Director of Strategy role. It's a builder's job in an organization that is figuring this function out for the first time, and you'd be the one figuring it out with us.
What You'll Do
Channel Strategy & Execution
Execute and be accountable for delivering on the long-term YouTube channel strategy
Build and own the annual YouTube operating plan, including programming slate, publishing cadence, growth targets, and 6-, 12-, and 18-month benchmarks
Lead planning and business cases for new channel launches, and build a repeatable launch playbook as the portfolio grows
Own day-to-day channel execution, directing scheduling, publishing, and platform management
Design structured tests of formats, packaging, and new YouTube features, then scale what works and retire what doesn't
Pilot new video formats, series ideas, and on-camera talent, and coach talent from pilot through ongoing series
Packaging, Publishing & Shorts
Own full-episode headlines and thumbnails, and approve scheduling and publishing of full episodes
Stay hands-on in packaging, including drafting episode video descriptions
Set the Shorts slate, decide which episode segments become Shorts, and approve clips, scripts, thumbnails, and titles
Be accountable for Shorts production quality and original YouTube Shorts
Hold every video, Short, and thumbnail to Audiochuck's editorial standards before it goes live, including factual accuracy, captions, and an on-brand voice
Audience Growth & Insights
Own audience growth across Audiochuck's YouTube channels, including organic subscribers, returning viewers, and watch time
Own channel optimization, including playlists, end screens, cards, channel pages, and back-catalog optimization
Drive cross-channel promotion and linking across Audiochuck's shows and channels
Build the reporting and benchmarks leadership uses to track progress against the operating plan
Share insights with leadership: what the numbers show, why it matters, and what we should do next
Channel Health, Budget & Resources
Monitor copyright claims and work with producers, music services, and legal to resolve disputes
Consult on post-publication editorial decisions and ensure resulting channel actions are carried out promptly
Manage the YouTube budget, including production contractors, editing tools, and vendors
Lead the evaluation, selection, and management of YouTube vendors, and drive resource planning as the slate grows
Team Leadership & Collaboration
Manage, coach, and develop the Channel Manager and YouTube Producer while contributing hands-on to daily operations
Build the YouTube team as it scales, including hiring, onboarding, and career development
Partner with producers, Publishing Ops, and Revenue Ops so video content moves smoothly from edit to publish
Advise show leads and the executive team on YouTube strategy, risks, and opportunities, and keep teams current on platform changes
Manage Audiochuck's relationship with YouTube partner managers and represent Audiochuck externally with creators, vendors, and industry partners
What Success Looks Like
Audiochuck's YouTube channels hit their growth benchmarks, with organic subscribers, returning viewers, and watch time trending up across the portfolio
New initiatives launch on schedule and reach their early benchmarks, using a launch playbook that makes each launch faster than the last
Output scales without sacrificing editorial quality, and every video, Short, and thumbnail meets Audiochuck's standards for ethical true crime storytelling
Content teams know how to make content that performs on YouTube
Leadership has a clear, data-backed view of what's working and what comes next
What You'll Bring to the Table
8+ years of experience growing and running YouTube channels at a publisher, newsroom, podcast network, or other content company
4+ years of people management experience, ideally building or scaling a team
A track record of programming and packaging a high-volume channel slate that reaches millions of viewers, and of launching new channels or shows on YouTube
Experience owning a budget, managing vendors and contractors, and presenting strategy and results to C-suite leadership
Expert knowledge of YouTube discovery (recommendations, search, and browse) and how packaging, pacing, and publishing cadence drive audience growth
Fluency in YouTube Studio analytics, including retention curves, CTR, average view duration, and traffic sources, and the judgment to act on what the data shows
Hands-on experience with Shorts, Community posts, Content ID, copyright disputes, and YouTube monetization
Sharp editorial instincts and a clean writing style, with examples of titles and thumbnails that won clicks without sacrificing a brand's credibility
Comfort reviewing and making light edits in Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or comparable software
Proven ability to lead cross-functionally while holding a high bar on quality and owning audience growth goals
Preferred
Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Media Production, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
Experience in true crime, investigative journalism, or video podcasting
Experience developing on-camera talent for YouTube
Familiarity with ethical reporting standards for sensitive subject matter, including victims and families
What Audiochuck Will Bring to the Table
Commitment to intentional leadership development
Dedication to company culture and promoting mental health
A collaborative and passionate team aligned around advocacy and impact
Opportunity to build Audiochuck's YouTube function from the ground up
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
