Manager, Channel Strategy - Kids & Family- The Orchard

About The Orchard

The Orchard is a leading global music distributor and Artist & Label services company operating in 50+ markets worldwide. The Orchard empowers creators and businesses to grow and adapt in the dynamic global music industry. We specialize in being artist focused, blending industry expertise and technology, leveraging data to drive success, and providing streamlined digital and physical distribution solutions. The Orchard’s comprehensive artist & label services offerings include marketing, sync licensing, premium video services, transparent data analysis, advertising, rights management, radio promotion, D2C, and more.

The Orchard focuses on providing a comfortable, social, and engaging environment to encourage productivity and creativity.

We are seeking a motivated, forward-thinking and dynamic US-based YouTube channel strategist for kids and family content. This position reports to the VP, Content Strategy & Business Development for the Magic Star team (The Orchard’s kids and family division) and will have a dotted line reporting relationship with the Senior Director, Channel Strategy. This role will act as the dedicated manager for The Orchard’s roster of kids and family-themed YouTube Channel partners. The ideal candidate is relationship-driven with a creative and analytical mind, and the ability to work proactively and autonomously. The role requires working across multiple time zones based on business needs, supporting global partners and internal teams.

What You'll Do

• Office- first role, in office 4 days a week.
• Manage and oversee an assigned portfolio of global and multi-language kids and family YouTube channels partnered in The Orchard’s YouTube multi-channel network.
• Deliver ongoing, hands-on channel support, including programming, optimization, channel analysis, monthly reporting, content and video strategy, marketing support, and troubleshooting of partner issues across assigned kids/family YouTube channels.
• Conduct detailed channel and video audits, recommending and implementing actionable improvements, with a specific lens to Made for Kids-designated content.
• Track, analyze, and report on channel and children’s category performance using metrics such as CPM, viewership trends, and subscriber demographics.
• Execute strategic post-launch channel initiatives—covering marketing, optimization, and growth activities—to drive maximum reach, user retention, revenue, and overall client satisfaction within a high-touch service model.
• Provide exceptional support for MCN clients and internal teams (Magic Star, Relationship Managers, Rights Management, Operations, etc.) to ensure video-related issues are resolved quickly and effectively.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of and expertise in Made For Kids and children’s genre-specific platform policies, restrictions, opportunities and trends on YouTube.
• Build and maintain relationships with the YouTube Kids programming and partnerships teams, including for managing editorial pitching for featured placement in the Kids app and identifying additional opportunities for collaboration and support.
• Create and provide best practice guides and strategic recommendation documentation for building and growing kids and family channels and content on YouTube.
• Provide basic video and image editing (e.g. creating clips or compilations from existing video content, creating video thumbnails) as needed and work closely with internal Design team or external partners for more complex content creation needs.
• Support internal Ad Sales team in identifying and crafting relevant ad sales service offerings and campaigns specific to Made for Kids channels and kids/family content.
• Collaborate with the Magic Star team along with Relationship Managers, Marketing, and Audience Development to leverage YouTube for key music release campaigns and develop YouTube-specific tentpole initiatives for priority labels and artists/acts.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records across internal systems, YouTube’s CMS, and YouTube.com.
• Identify opportunities to upsell Channel Strategy services to roster clients and support prospecting and pitching efforts to secure new clients and channel partners.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all YouTube-related inquiries from artists, labels, and Relationship Managers across assigned channel roster.

Who You Are

• 3+ years' experience managing, programming and optimizing Made for Kids-designated YouTube channels
• In-depth understanding of rapidly evolving digital landscape with proven ability to harness it in an effort to reach goals (e.g. user generated content, social media), with a specific focus on kids and family content
• Ability to communicate & work effectively with various stakeholders (C level, clients, interns)
• Technologically savvy and comfortable with data
• Excellent software skills and proficiency in YouTube CMS, Microsoft, Google, and Apple applications
• Familiar with Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, Illustrator, After Effects, Streamlabs, OBS and basic film/image editing
• Strong passion for and deep knowledge of children’s entertainment content
• Knowledge and experience running YouTube livestreams
• Fluency in Spanish is highly preferred
• An expert communicator and relationship builder
• Creative and takes initiative - capacity to engage, willingness to learn and to share ideas, positive attitude
• A skilled presenter
• A proactive and creative problem solver
• Organized, able to multitask, prioritize and maintain deadlines
• Adaptable to evolving workload and working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders and clients

What We Give You

• You join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where you have the opportunity to channel your passion every day  
• A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork empowering you to bring your best 
• An attractive and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life & disability coverage, and 401K + employer matching 
• Voluntary benefits like company-paid identity theft protection and resources for pets, mental health and meditation resources, industry-leading fertility coverage, fully paid leave for childbirth or bonding, fully paid leave for caregivers, programs for loved ones with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity, subsidized back-up child and elder care, and reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, tuition, and student loans 
• Investment in your professional growth and development enabling you to thrive in our vibrant community.  
• The space to accelerate progress, positively disrupt, and create what happens next  
• Time off for a winter recess

The Orchard is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.