Senior YouTube Channel Manager – London

# Senior YouTube Channel Manager – London## Animaj is hiring!## Job DescriptionAs a Senior YouTube Channel Manager at Animaj, you are at the core of our digital-first strategy. Your objective is clear: to transform Animaj-owned IPs into global cultural phenomena on the world’s leading platform for kids and families.This role requires a unique blend of creative storytelling and rigorous strategic insight. You will shape the YouTube experience for millions of children, using data-driven decision-making and platform expertise to build brands that kids love and parents trust. At Animaj, we don’t just manage channels; we build the future of kids’ media by merging high-quality animation with cutting-edge AI-native workflows.We offer:* The opportunity to work at the intersection of a premium animation studio and an AI-powered, digital-first company.* Direct involvement in the growth of world-class IPs (e.g. *Maya the Bee)*.* A high-energy, entrepreneurial environment in London, working as part of a global team of innovators.—### Responsibilities* **Strategic Channel Leadership:** Own the end-to-end management of a portfolio of YouTube channels, including sophisticated publishing schedules, metadata architecture, and holistic playlist strategy.* **Performance Optimisation (SEO & Growth):** Drive exponential growth by mastering YouTube’s discovery systems. You will optimise SEO, CTR (Click-Through Rate), and AVD (Average View Duration) through constant experimentation with metadata and content packaging.* **Creative Excellence & Design:** Lead the visual identity of some of our brands on YouTube. You will design high-converting thumbnails and channel art, ensuring every asset meets Animaj’s premium quality standards and brand guidelines.* **Data-Driven Programming:** Conduct deep-dive viewership analysis using YouTube Analytics and third-party tools (e.g., Tubular Labs). You will provide actionable insights to guide programming, marketing, and investment decisions.* **AI-Enhanced Workflow Integration:** Collaborate with our technical teams to pilot and implement AI-native production and localisation tools to scale content efficiency and reach.* **Cross-Platform Synergy:** Ensure brand consistency across the digital ecosystem, maintaining a unified voice for our IPs across YouTube, CTV, and emerging social platforms.## Preferred Experience* **Platform Expertise:** 4+ years of experience managing high-growth YouTube channels, specifically within the Kids & Family vertical.* **Certified Knowledge:** YouTube Certified. Deep familiarity with Content ID, CMS management, and COPPA/MFK (Made for Kids) compliance.* **Design Proficiency:** High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro). Experience with After Effects is an advantage.* **Analytical Mindset:** Expert-level ability to interpret complex data sets and translate them into a clear content strategy.* **Global Perspective:** Fluent in English (additional languages are a plus). Experience working in a multinational environment with localised “global-first” content strategies.* **Future-Focused:** A genuine passion for kids’ content, emerging technologies, and a desire to redefine the industry through AI and digital-first innovation.* **Academic Background:** Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Media, Film, or a related field preferred.—### Outcomes**After 30 days at Animaj*** Deep Catalogue Audit: Complete a performance diagnostic for the assigned IP, identifying the specific Viewership Engine (New vs. Returning viewers) and providing a data-backed list of structural weaknesses in pacing and packaging.* Retention Deep-Dive: Map out Audience Retention heatmaps for the top 20 videos, identify specific drop-off triggers, and present a tactical Editing & Pacing Guide for the production team to improve future assets.* Tactical Metadata Audit: Perform a full SEO/Metadata cleanup for the core assigned channels to ensure high discoverability.* Performance Reporting: Establish a weekly Programming Health Report that identifies immediate “quick wins” (e.g., updating thumbnails on high-impression/low-CTR videos) to boost traffic.**After 90 days at Animaj*** **Growth Optimisation:** Implement at least two major tactical changes (e.g., new thumbnail style, altered intro hook, or playlist restructuring) that result in a measurable uptick in channel growth.* **Shorts-to-Longform Funnel:** Launch an active YouTube Shorts strategy designed to act as a discovery tool, with a clear workflow for converting Shorts-only viewers into long-form Watch Time contributors.* **Global Synchronisation:** Manage the publishing calendar to ensure localised content is perfectly synced with regional cultural moments and holidays to maximise localised suggested traffic.* **AVD Benchmarking:** Successfully execute a 3-month programming calendar with a target increase of 10–15% in Average View Duration (AVD) across the managed IP.* **Workflow Efficiency:** Successfully integrate at least one AI-native tool (e.g., AI translation or generative metadata) into the daily channel management workflow to increase output speed.**After 180 days at Animaj*** **Platform Beta Participation:** Actively manage the implementation of YouTube’s newest features (e.g., Multi-Language Audio, A/B Thumbnail Testing) to gain a first-mover advantage over competitors.* **Seasonal Programming Calendar:** Own and execute a comprehensive 12-month programming roadmap that accounts for key cultural moments (Halloween, Christmas, Back-to-School) and major sporting events (e.g., World Cup/Olympics).* **New IP Transition:** Lead the technical channel launch and early-stage growth strategy for new co-created or incubated IPs (e.g., the Disney partnership projects), ensuring a hit trajectory from Day 1.* **Watchtime Growth:** Achieve a 10%+ increase in average monthly watchtime for the portfolio of managed channels compared to the same period the previous year.* **Format Innovation:** Scale at least one new content format (e.g., a specific compilation style or Shorts series) that consistently reaches high-performing view thresholds within its first 30 days.* Contract Type: **Full-Time*** Location: **London*** Experience: **> 4 years*** **Possible partial remote**#J-18808-Ljbffr…