Director of Development & Production, Digital Programming

GDS Group

Director of Development & Production overseeing premium digital content across Lifestyle, Food & Travel, and Entertainment. Leading creative projects from concept to delivery across various digital platforms.

Posted 7/31/2026full-timeArlington • Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $110,000 - $150,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and producing original digital content across multiple platforms, with a strong focus on audience engagement and growth. Proven ability to lead creative teams, manage production workflows, and foster collaboration while maintaining high-quality standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Digital Content DevelopmentCreative Production ManagementAudience Engagement StrategiesBranded Content IntegrationProject Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Digital Media ProductionContent StrategyVideo Series DevelopmentProduction OversightCreative Concept DevelopmentScript ReviewBudget ManagementPerformance AnalyticsStorytelling TechniquesPlatform Algorithms

Soft Skills

LeadershipCollaborationCommunicationCreative JudgmentOrganizational Skills

Tools & Technologies

YouTubeInstagramFacebookTikTokStreaming PlatformsProduction Software

Industry Keywords

Lifestyle ContentFood & Travel ContentEntertainment IndustrySponsorship OpportunitiesCreative Presentations

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the creative development of original digital series, recurring franchises, specials, and branded content initiatives for growing digital editorial brands including @AmazingAmericaTV and @PauseRewind
Identify emerging audience trends, platform opportunities, and storytelling formats that support audience growth and business objectives
Generate, pitch, and develop new programming concepts while evolving existing series with fresh creative approaches
Create series treatments, story outlines, mood boards, production decks, and presentation materials for internal stakeholders and external partners
Partner with leadership to build and maintain a robust content development pipeline aligned with editorial priorities and commercial opportunities
Oversee all productions from greenlight through final delivery across multiple platforms and formats
Direct studio and field productions, providing clear creative vision to crews, producers, editors, and on-camera talent
Manage creative execution throughout pre-production, production, post-production, and final approval
Review and approve creative materials including treatments, scripts, casting recommendations, production schedules, budgets, graphics, music, rough cuts, fine cuts, and final deliverables
Establish production workflows and best practices that improve efficiency while maintaining exceptional creative quality
Mentor producers, coordinators, freelance talent, editors, and production partners
Foster a collaborative, creative culture focused on innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Manage multiple concurrent productions while balancing priorities, deadlines, budgets, and available resources
Facilitate creative brainstorms with Editorial, Audience Development, and Sales teams to maximize content performance
Collaborate with Audience Development and Analytics teams to leverage performance insights and optimize future content
Maintain a deep understanding of platform algorithms, viewer behavior, and evolving digital consumption habits
Champion experimentation with new storytelling techniques, production technologies, creators, and distribution strategies
Work closely with branded content and sales teams to develop premium sponsorship opportunities that seamlessly integrate advertiser objectives while maintaining editorial integrity
Cultivate relationships within the tourism, hospitality, culinary, lifestyle, and entertainment industries to identify new content and partnership opportunities
Represent the company during partner meetings, industry events, production shoots, and creative presentations

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Film, Television, Digital Media, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)
7+ years of experience developing and producing original digital content for major media brands, publishers, production companies, or digital platforms
Demonstrated leadership experience managing creative production teams and overseeing multiple concurrent productions
Professional experience and genuine enthusiasm for creating Lifestyle, Food & Travel, and Entertainment content
Proven success developing and launching original digital video series that drive audience engagement and growth
Extensive experience overseeing productions from concept through post-production across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, FAST, streaming, and emerging platforms
Strong creative judgment with experience providing feedback across every stage of development, production, and editorial review
Experience directing both studio and field productions, working with talent, creators, celebrities, and non-professional hosts
Strong understanding of branded content, sponsorship integrations, and advertiser collaboration
Exceptional organizational, communication, and project management skills

Benefits

Comp & perks

participation in a retirement plan
life and disability insurance
health, dental and vision plans
flexible spending accounts
15 paid vacation days
2 paid personal days
9 paid holidays
40 hours of paid sick leave
parental leave
employee stock purchase plan