Vice President, Channel Operations & Programming Strategy

Santa Monica, CA

The VP, AVOD Channel Operations & Programming Strategy leads global Channels Strategy for Lionsgate as part of the Company’s growing free ad-supported streaming linear (FAST) and OTT digital distribution initiative. This internal and external visible position is charged with cultivating FAST content and promotional partnerships with the objective to grow Channels distribution and secure digital revenue while also managing senior-level relationships across multiple Lionsgate groups, including Sales Distribution and Planning, Marketing, Research, Finance and Acquisitions.

This role supports the Global TV Distribution Division and will report to Ryan Lowerre President, Domestic Television & Digital Distribution, TV Distribution.

Responsibilities

Lead programming strategy and operations for FAST and OTT (including, but not limited to, MovieSphere, Channels, and OTT digital and over-the-air initiatives) to ensure maximum revenue, elevate the studio library, and exploit available rights
Manage strategic planning and communication for Channels and MovieSphere with accountability for film avail selections and refresh rates, program and promo scheduling, creative asset management, operations, and distribution of planning documents
Collaborate with Sales Planning and Marketing teams to identify content opportunities wherein leveraging Lionsgate’s content library to boost its FAST and OTT offerings both in the US and abroad
Partner with Marketing on MovieSphere brand identity and steer the internal process with Creative Services requests for the growing portfolio of Channels
Deliverables are not limited to on-air elements, but often include producing art and video executions for Partner driven launch and ongoing promotional and social campaigns
Work closely with Television & Digital Distribution to exploit FTV rights, and as a stakeholder, be informed of key terms pertaining to relevant deals in discussion
Team up with Research and Distribution to establish key reporting metrics and communicate audience insights and trends.
Use data driven analytics to monitor performance and optimize engagement across partners
Stay informed with the rapidly shifting marketplace, both existing tier 1 clients and new entrants, consumer and ad sales platform enhancements, rev-share vs. inventory splits opportunities, and device usage trends
Develop a best-in-class operational infrastructure and functional workflow that is fluid as the FAST business evolves to ensure successful new platform onboarding and maximum return in Ad Sales fulfillment and viewership performance data
Partner with Finance and Accounting to set annual budgets and manage business unit invoicing (e.g. approving, tracking, vendor communication, and processing)
Liaise with Sales Distribution Strategy and Planning to build financial assumptions and models, construct revenue projections, rights management and inventory forecasting, and evaluate content acquisition library opportunities
Oversee relationship and communication between Servicing and core operations vendor Amagi, as well as, assess other vendor platforms with mindset to diversify resources
Supervise and mentor a small cross-functional staff
Lead programming strategy and operations for FAST and OTT (including, but not limited to, MovieSphere, Channels, and OTT digital and over-the-air initiatives) to ensure maximum revenue, elevate the studio library, and exploit available rights
Manage strategic planning and communication for Channels and MovieSphere with accountability for film avail selections and refresh rates, program and promo scheduling, creative asset management, operations, and distribution of planning documents
Collaborate with Sales Planning and Marketing teams to identify content opportunities wherein leveraging Lionsgate’s content library to boost its FAST and OTT offerings both in the US and abroad
Partner with Marketing on MovieSphere brand identity and steer the internal process with Creative Services requests for the growing portfolio of Channels
Deliverables are not limited to on-air elements, but often include producing art and video executions for Partner driven launch and ongoing promotional and social campaigns
Work closely with Television & Digital Distribution to exploit FTV rights, and as a stakeholder, be informed of key terms pertaining to relevant deals in discussion
Team up with Research and Distribution to establish key reporting metrics and communicate audience insights and trends.
Use data driven analytics to monitor performance and optimize engagement across partners
Stay informed with the rapidly shifting marketplace, both existing tier 1 clients and new entrants, consumer and ad sales platform enhancements, rev-share vs. inventory splits opportunities, and device usage trends
Develop a best-in-class operational infrastructure and functional workflow that is fluid as the FAST business evolves to ensure successful new platform onboarding and maximum return in Ad Sales fulfillment and viewership performance data
Partner with Finance and Accounting to set annual budgets and manage business unit invoicing (e.g. approving, tracking, vendor communication, and processing)
Liaise with Sales Distribution Strategy and Planning to build financial assumptions and models, construct revenue projections, rights management and inventory forecasting, and evaluate content acquisition library opportunities
Oversee relationship and communication between Servicing and core operations vendor Amagi, as well as, assess other vendor platforms with mindset to diversify resources
Supervise and mentor a small cross-functional staff

Qualifications and Skills

10+ years of scheduling experience with broadcast, cable or OTT linear program service
Expertise with scheduling and programming software
Proficient in Microsoft Excel a must
Excellent Communication and Presentation Skills
Ability to work in fast paced and entrepreneurial environment

Business Unit Overview

Lionsgate Television

Lionsgate Television is one of the foremost third-party suppliers of premium scripted series to streaming, broadcast and cable platforms alike while also serving as a prolific supplier of premium content to Starz. Drawing upon its production partnerships with many of the top content creators, it supplies dozens of scripted series to more than 20 different network partners. With a reputation for creating “brand-defining” shows for a diverse range of platforms, Lionsgate Television has produced and distributed the iconic long-running series Mad Men, one of the most acclaimed shows in television history, the ground-breaking Orange is the New Black, Weeds, Nurse Jackie, Nashville, Dear White People and many others while continuing to develop strong slates of acclaimed new series. Lionsgate also operates a robust in-house unscripted television business partnering with a diverse array of linear and streaming platforms. Lionsgate television series have garnered 238 Emmy® nominations, 38 Emmys®, 66 Golden Globe® nominations and nine Golden Globe® wins.

The Lionsgate Television Group collaborates closely with the Company’s other television businesses, including Debmar-Mercury, a leading producer and syndicator of evergreen game and talk shows, Pilgrim Media, one of the top producers of unscripted series, and 3 Arts Entertainment, a leading talent management and production company that has become a major television production partner and a source of top talent for all of the Company’s businesses. The Lionsgate Worldwide Television Distribution Group licenses the Company’s feature film and television slates, 17,000-title film and television library, one of the largest in the world, and Starz’s original programming slate to nearly every major OTT and linear platform through a global network of deep customer relationships.

Our Benefits

Full Coverage – Medical, Vision, and Dental
Work/Life Balance – generous sick days, vacation days, holidays, and Impact Day
401(k) company matching
Tuition Reimbursement (up to graduate degree)

EEO Statement

Lionsgate is an equal employment opportunity employer. All employees and applicants are evaluated on the basis of their qualifications, consistent with applicable state and federal laws. In addition, Lionsgate will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Lionsgate will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and federal law.