Condé Nast is home to Wired, Vogue, GQ, AD, Vanity Fair and more of the world’s most celebrated brands. Condé Nast Entertainment (CNE) develops, produces and distributes video content across all of these brands. Our team creates high quality video programming experiences for viewers across every screen, and is led by industry veterans who have built video businesses with billions of monthly views. Since its inception in 2011, CNE has grown rapidly and has an extensive digital distribution network, with more than 50 million subscribers on Youtube and ranks in the top 20 in unique viewers in comScore’s Top 100 Properties.
Job Description
Mexico City
Overview/Purpose
Condé Nast Entertainment’s global digital video teams create premium video content showcasing Condé Nast’s iconic global brands. Delivering on average over 1 billion video views per month, the team currently produces 4,000+ digital videos per year in all genres including non-scripted, documentary, how-to, comedy, animation, scripted, branded, virtual reality and (live) event programming.
We are looking for a creative and strategic leader to drive the continued growth of Condé Nast Entertainment’s leading digital video and audio business across our Mexico/LATAM operation, a primary function in our evolution into a 21st century world class entertainment company. As VP, Digital Video Programming and Development, Mexico/Latin America Local Language you will manage the region and a number of brands, led by individual Heads of Programming and Development and supported by a Localisation Manager. You will build, oversee, and grow a digital video and audio IP portfolio and content strategy focused on local language content for Mexico and Latin American audiences, with ambition for global appeal. This role is based in Mexico City and reports to the SVP Digital Video (Local Language) and will also operate as a de facto member of the Mexico/Latin America MD’s leadership team and contribute to key strategic regional initiatives.
The purpose of this role is to build and operate a programming and development division to drive audience growth and engagement with a focus on commercial revenue, delivering on Condé Nast’s preeminent portfolio of brands in the forms of:
- Original, social video, and podcast content for global digital platforms (e.g. O&O, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, WeChat, Line, Apple iTunes, Spotify), with focus on premium, scalable quality
- Live cultural events resonating on a global, regional, and or, local scale
- Syndicated series for local language and English language markets and OTT channels around the world
- Video franchises that transcend platforms and markets
In the early stages of the role, it will require identifying the human, financial and technology resources necessary for success, realigning roles and responsibilities for existing teams and/or recruiting, and establishing workflows and processes within CNE and with stakeholders across the company.
Primary Responsibilities
IP Portfolio Management
- Oversee programming and creative development strategy for local language Mexico/Latin American audiences across Vogue, GQ, Glamour, and AD; creating digital video and podcast content of Original, Cultural and Franchise IP that deliver on the brands’ iconic attributes and optimizes appeal on designated exhibition/distribution platforms
- Drive CNE business goals through a strategic integrated programming calendar with a wide variety of digital video-led and podcast ideas – from large-scale productions to nimble concepts, packaged for local language/global commercial and/or consumer revenue business models
- Built robust volume and variety of our digital video and podcast content across multiple platforms, including OTT and digital syndication to local and English language markets, leveraging a firm understanding of digital metrics and data analytics
- Focus on quality while increasing the volume and diversity of content for multiple platforms and markets
- Partner with brand Global Editorial Directors, Editors-In-Chiefs and brand editorial teams to identify adaptable IP at source, and leverage brand equity
- Supercharge a localisation pipeline of globally successful IP across local language channels, led by regional Localisation Manager, identifying key series with multi-market resonance, and unearthing local language IP with audience appeal for English Language channels
Creative Innovation
- Inspire your team to be relentless with premium storytelling development and execution, bringing fresh perspective to both the content itself and the people, processes and workflows behind it (e.g. rough cut notes, team screenings)
- Motivate world-beating ideation and iteration, leveraging a foundation of existing successful formats and IP while also exploring new digital video frontiers with a view to building on Condé Nast’s established reputation as the leading storyteller and global media entertainment business.
- Collaborate continuously with CNE digital video strategy partner and brand editorial, audience development and commercial teams to engage existing fans and appeal to new viewers and advertisers
Leadership
- Exhibit and set a culture of professionalism and results-oriented purpose, leading the team with practical optimism, a collaborative spirit and resourceful attitude with stakeholders across Condé Nast
- Through inspirational leadership, infuse the team with passion and drive to strive for greatness in the art of storytelling
- Manage a team of programming and development leads co-located with Editorial, creating a core team structure of subject-matter experts in digital video content and platforms that is accountable to CNE KPIs and ultimately Condé Nast KPIs
- Partner with the other regional VPs, Digital Video Programming and Development Local Language in APAC and Europe (excl. UK) to devise and execute a cohesive business strategy across the local language portfolio
- Partner with VPs in the English Language team to ensure aligned approach on key strategic initiatives and unlock global content opportunities
- Partner with VP Branded Entertainment Video Local Language to shepherd editorial Original IP with commercial partnership appeal
- Collaborate closely with Condé Nast Mexico/LATAM business leadership team to deliver across unified Condé Nast objectives, creating a direct bridge between CNE and the Mexico/LATAM organisation
- Partner with Global Physical Production to establish workflows from inception to execution that deliver quality and exceptional storytelling, consistent communication, swift decision making, efficient budgeting, scheduling and deadline enforcement
- Partner with Business Affairs & Operations to negotiate strategic deal terms with digital-first talent for original content across entertainment formats (digital video, podcasts), IP rights and distribution and/or licensing
- Partner with Heads of Production and Development Culture and Lifestyle divisions to identity opportunities to build ecosystems of digital video and audio content extending from and supporting long-form content projects
- Work closely with the People/HR and Legal enabling functions to establish and enforce recruiting, hiring management and compensation policies to attract world-class full-time employees
Desired Skills and Qualifications
- 10+ years experience in the digital media and TV network space as a professional and capable leader with inclusive style that garners respect and trust across stakeholders and team members
- Proven ability to operate, balancing long-term value with near-term business goals, ability to manage heavy workload and prioritize appropriately, production experience a plus
- Entrepreneurial, strategic and holistic mindset, eagerness to learn and build, and a reputation as an innovative, adaptable and proactive “doer” with desire to differentiate Condé Nast from the competition
- Established creative sensibility, with soup to nuts experience in concept creation and execution of digital videos with culture-defining attributes and that have driven deep, organic engagement across multiple platforms; extensive experience providing creative evaluation, advice and feedback
- Knowledge of internet culture and wide digital video landscape (e.g. and not exclusive to YouTube, Facebook, Instagram), the unique elements of each video platform and what makes particular videos successful on those platforms
- Proven ability to understand the qualities required to greenlight strategic key projects to energise a growing video business, while shepherding and building a sustainable video business P&L
- Experience working in a multi-market landscape and embracing varied cultural requirements
- Proven ability to proactively identify and implement effective solutions to problems and to create infrastructure from whole cloth while under intense security and time pressure
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
- Strong interpersonal communication skills (written and oral) with an emotionally intelligent communication style
- Successful experience navigating matrixed organizations
- Experience within a start-up or new line of business within a large, highly leveraged company
- Familiarity with the brands and businesses of Condé Nast
