Director of Online Programming and Product Development

A division of MTV focused on emerging music and pop culture from around the world is looking for an experienced, assertive and innovative Director of Online Programming and Product Development to oversee programming and development of its web properties, social media platforms and mobile applications.

The candidate will play a central role in identifying and specifying required technologies and overseeing their implementation as well supervising the day to day online production and programming of three branded websites and their corresponding social media components. Critical to success in this role will be the ability to collaborate with key stakeholders inside the immediate team including staff from the Editorial, Design, Technology & Software, QA, Marketing, Ad Sales Operations, Music, Business and Legal Affairs teams,  as well within the larger MTV Networks organization. The primary responsibilities for the candidate are to craft and implement a cohesive programming strategy and evolve our web properties so as to dramatically grow traffic.

The ideal candidate will be assertive, hands-on, proactive, have a strong technical background and well versed in SEO and the social media space. He or she will also have product development and project management skills, and online experience in the media and entertainment space. By “programming” we mean the web design, production, scheduling, and rotation required for video, audio, text and photo content on our websites and other platforms.  Experience managing a team of web producers is a must, and experience managing projects with third-party development teams and vendors is preferred. Knowledge of and passion for pop music and global pop culture is a strong plus. The position reports to the General Manager of the division.

This is a freelance opportunity for immediate hire.

QUALITIES

·         Proven track record of overseeing web production and implementation of web sites of high profile brands or franchises

·         Demonstrate professional specialization in emerging digital distribution methodologies including but not specific to Web, SEO, Social, Apps, Widgets, RSS, other content syndication methods as well as Mobile Technologies

·         Professional, practical and long-term industry experience in web design and web production,  information architecture, and SEO best practices

·         Proven skills in growing traffic through SEO best practices and leveraging social media platforms

·         Entrepreneurial drive, demonstrated ability to achieve stretch goals in an innovative and fast paced environment

·         Strong knowledge of and personal connection to MTV brand

·         Passion for global pop music and culture

·         Solid leadership skills, experience building and motivating a team

·         Excellent verbal and written skills. Can explain technology to non-technical people

·         Strong project-management skills

·         Able to fit in well within an startup, high-pressure environment and to provide hands-on management

·         Establish credibility with smart programmers quickly

·         Ability to negotiate contracts and manage vendors.

·         Keen analytic skills, ability to gain insight from data.

QUALIFICATION

·         Bachelors degree is a must, technical/post-graduate degree is preferred.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

·         A minimum of 6 years web development/production/programming/project management experience, preferably entertainment based

·         Experience in entertainment and media industry or creative brand or interactive agency, particularly in the youth lifestyle space is preferred

·         Familiarity with

o    Project/Product Management
Web Design/Development
Interactive/UX Design
Digital Content Management
Video/Audio Non-Linear Editing
Online Strategy & Audience Development
Social Media Management
Search Engine Optimization/Management

·         Knowledge of

o    HTML/DHTML
XML
AJAX
CSS
JavaScript
Perl
SQL
Adobe Suite
Flash
MS Office
MS Project
Wordpress
Content Management Systems

RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Producing and overseeing current and future versions of our various music based websites

·         Creating, deploying and managing a programming strategy for each of the websites and their social media components (Facebook and Twitter for example) so as to have fresh content every day/week/month with a view to aggressively grow traffic

·         Developing an online aesthetic appropriate to our brands and supervising the creation of design elements like hats, banners, and logo animations

·         Training and supervising the work of online staff such as web producers, developers and designers so as to ensure a consistent, high quality and compelling user experience on each of the sites

·         Developing productive relationships and working closely with individual departments like Music, Production, Editorial and Marketing to ensure a flow of content that is widely distributed and accessed on digital platforms

·         Developing and maintaining productive relationships with MTVN teams for technology, content management, advertising operations, as well as individual producers and marketers of content at sister MTV sites

·         Developing and implementing concepts to evolve our web and mobile products as well as working with vendors to develop applications for iPhone, Android, iPad and other platforms

·          

·         Conceiving innovative ideas and working with producers to support the execution of various advertising programs on our web, social and mobile properties

·         Continually refining site information architecture to ensure the best possible user experience and drive traffic growth

·         Developing our social media presence and driving engagement on social platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare

·         Working closely with producers of sister MTV sites and other teams to identify and implement integration and cross-promotional opportunities

·         Working with Marketing and Editorial to create, implement and maintain standards around SEO and content tagging

·         Ensuring that all content within has the appropriate rights and clearances and is appropriate entered into the MTVN CMS

·         Editorial/Programming, Marketing in developing, coordinating and implementing on-air throws, in-site promotion, navigation and cross-linking standards and processes

·         Working with Ad Sales to develop integrated sponsorship opportunities within content pieces

Please send resumes to mtvworldjob@gmail.com