Associate Manager Programming

ESPN’s Direct to Consumer team oversees the content, performance, operations, strategic growth, and partnerships of ESPN’s Direct to Consumer services, including ESPN DTC and ESPN+.

The Associate Manager supports the ESPN Direct to Consumer team on the day-to-day management of our streaming content; contributes to strategic scheduling of that content across all platforms to maximize viewership and revenue for ESPN direct-to-consumer; and works collaboratively across all ESPN and Disney streaming departments to build strategies and workflows that maximize efficiency and performance across all ESPN networks and services.

Additionally, the Associate Manager will support the team in identifying and developing growth strategies, including operational efficiencies, offers, incentives, partnerships, and more, to acquire new users, increase engagement, and retain subscribers.

The right person for this role is a self-starter, eager to learn, well-versed in the streaming media ecosystem and experienced in navigating cross-functional relationships within and outside of an organization.  This person has exceptional communication and organizational skills and is able to work across stakeholders to build consensus around strategies and opportunities. This person will also have knowledge and interest direct-to-consumer technology, streaming, sports rights, and programming. This person thinks big, learns quickly, and approaches everything with enthusiasm. Finally, this person has an interest in adapting to our ever-changing industry, and similarly, the candidate should expect that this role and its day-to-day responsibilities may also change to adapt to the needs of the team, specific initiatives, launches, and more.  If you are someone who is passionate about crafting and executing ideas that will continue the transformation of our media landscape, then this is a phenomenal role for you.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in the creation of strategies and scheduling of ESPN content across the ESPN/Disney streaming landscape 
• Monitor industry trends both internally and externally to identify opportunities for strategic evolution 
• Collaborate with ESPN Programming team on evaluation of properties, strategic scheduling, and content planning 
• Collaborate across ESPN/Disney marketing, production, communications and editorial departments to ensure clarity of message and maximize returns in marketing and merchandising of ESPN’s best-in-class sports content 
• Manage relationships across ESPN/Disney analytics teams to identify and build on positive performance trends and eliminate negative ones  
• Work as a member of the Programming Department at large to contribute to the overall scheduling strategy for the company across platforms 
• Create presentations and assist in prep work as assigned
• Proactively contribute innovative ideas to continue to grow our business
• Manage the day-to-day communication of priorities and changes to content schedules
• Review press releases, marketing materials, promotional assets, etc. through the lens of ESPN DTC

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in the sports media industry, television programming and/or business strategy, or similar experience
• Strong knowledge of sports and their place in the streaming industry 
• Proficient computer skills, emphasis on Microsoft Office suite
• Basic knowledge and passion for emerging competitive digital video products and platforms
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the capability to interact across levels and support decision-making
• Must be highly organized, efficient, self-motivated, exhibit excellent time management skills and able to work on multiple tasks at the same time. 
• Practiced user of new media platforms
• High level of curiosity and self-motivation in digging deeper into data/trends and driving impactful insights
• Proactive by nature and comfortability with problem-solving and navigating through ambiguity
• Highly collaborative with a team-first attitude
• Effectively manage multiple demands for self and others
• Quickly adapt to new technologies and thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in the sports media industry, television programming and/or business strategy 
• Experience working in direct to consumer or streaming 
• Exceptional quantitative and analytical abilities
• High level of partner management and interpersonal skills
• Strong working knowledge of ESPN’s digital platforms, as well as knowledge of content scheduler and/or Media Central
• Experience with Airtable
• General familiarity with reading and comprehending legal contracts
• General familiarity with media and footage rights
• Strong presentation skills

Required Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in communications, journalism, business, sports management or a related field

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