Lead - YouTube | International News

Times Network · India

Times Network is looking for a passionate, strategic, and execution-focused lead to spearhead our YouTube vertical. The ideal candidate will drive the end-to-end content strategy for video content, build high-impact editorial franchises, and lead a team that creates compelling, audience-first journalism for India's fastest-growing international digital news audience.

This role requires a deep understanding of the YouTube ecosystem, strong editorial instincts, data-driven decision-making, and the ability to translate news and current affairs into engaging, high-retention video formats.

Key Responsibilities

1. YouTube Content Strategy

• Lead the editorial strategy for our international team.
• Develop and execute a content roadmap for explainers, documentaries, interviews, special series, and long-form news programming.
• Identify emerging trends, audience interests, and content opportunities to drive sustained channel growth.
• Build scalable content franchises that strengthen brand identity and audience loyalty.

2. Editorial Leadership & Production

• Own the complete content lifecycle—from ideation and scripting to production, publishing, and post-launch optimization.
• Ensure all content meets the highest editorial, legal, and ethical standards.
• Work closely with producers, reporters, editors, designers, and video production teams to deliver high-quality storytelling.
• Drive innovation in storytelling formats, visual presentation, and audience engagement.

3. Audience Growth & Channel Performance

• Develop strategies to increase watch time, subscriber growth, audience retention, and overall channel performance.
• Monitor analytics and audience behavior to refine content strategy and improve performance.
• Stay ahead of YouTube algorithm updates, creator trends, and platform best practices.

4. Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of producers, writers, video editors and digital journalists.
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative, and innovation-driven newsroom culture.

5. Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with editorial, social media, product, marketing, and analytics teams to maximize content reach and impact.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience leading YouTube content strategy, preferably in digital news, media, or current affairs.
• Strong editorial judgment with an excellent understanding of international news and audience preferences.
• Deep knowledge of YouTube Studio, audience analytics, SEO, watch-time optimization, and content performance metrics.
• Demonstrated success in growing YouTube channels through data-driven content strategies.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and team-building capabilities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven newsroom environment.
• Excellent communication, planning, and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10-15+ years of experience in digital media, with significant experience managing YouTube.
• Hands-on understanding of digital video production workflows and storytelling techniques.