Content Operator
JND Inc.
Senior Director, Original Content Development
The Walt Disney Company
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: New York City • California, Connecticut, New York • 🇺🇸 United States
Visit company websiteSalary
💰 $160,500 - $215,300 per year
Job Level
Senior
About the role
- Oversee a brand-agnostic content development team responsible for nurturing stories across the entire original content spectrum from documentary and scripted to audio and digital (30 for 30/Films and Podcasts, Originals, and Features).
- Lead a collaborative development culture with internal EPs and external production companies to bring ambitious, meaningful stories to life.
- Must have established relationships in the industry.
- Lead a team of four in the day-to-day of development which includes recognizing the volume of pitches (hundreds!) that are received for the Films/Originals/Podcasts groups.
- Oversee the development of a system that harnesses our internal IP for future films and audio projects.
- Manage ESPN’s global master slate, balancing creative ambition with audience needs, distribution strategy, and business goals.
- Ensure a diverse mix of formats, genres, and voices identifying gaps and surfacing the next wave of IP across linear, streaming, digital, and audio platforms.
- Guide creative alignment across departments and ensure development slates remain responsive to shifting cultural, audience, and platform trends.
- Incubate and develop early-stage concepts in partnership with emerging and established talent.
- Identify and match the established and or first-time directors, producers/production companies with the right stories for upcoming and future projects.
- Lead development strategy briefings and executive presentations for the President of Content and SVP, Original Content helping to influence overall creative direction.
- Ability to lead and collaborate around ESPN’s hosted-content model work in partnership with Ad Sales.
- Build and refine commercial frameworks that allow brands to underwrite and integrate with editorially sound content, reshaping how ESPN monetizes premium storytelling.
- Partner across The Walt Disney Company including Disney+, ABC, Hulu, and International teams to align on shared IP, talent, and platform opportunities.
- Incubate and collaborate on global content initiatives with VP and SVP of Films and Originals along with regional leaders, helping scale ESPN storytelling across Latin America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific markets.
- Conduct market scans and cultural intelligence to identify emerging trends, storytelling gaps, and next-gen formats.
- Use research, testing, and audience insights to inform project development and strategic planning.
- Represent ESPN as a voice in the industry with agents and agencies.
- Champion ESPN’s commitment to inclusive storytelling, IP innovation, and global content leadership.
Requirements
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in content development within media, entertainment, or related fields—preferably with a strong focus on premium documentary, original series, or podcast production.
- Proven track record of developing and launching successful multi-platform content, including long-form films, audio, and digital.
- Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience demonstrated experience leading creative teams, managing talent, and overseeing high-volume pitch pipelines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Strong existing network within the creative industry—relationships with producers, directors, agents, and production companies are essential.
- Experience collaborating with brand and ad sales teams to develop sponsored or hosted-content models without compromising editorial integrity.
- Deep understanding of audience development, platform strategies, and content trends across streaming, digital, linear, and audio formats.
- Ability to understand what fits for the brand - but also understanding what is happening in the industry/marketplace. Should be identified as an individual tastemaker.
- Experience developing and launching scripted formats is preferred.
- Familiarity with international markets and global storytelling sensibilities is a strong plus.
Benefits
- A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package
- Full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits dependent on the level and position offered
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
content developmentmulti-platform contentdocumentary productionoriginal series productionpodcast productionaudience developmentplatform strategiesscripted formatsmarket scanscultural intelligence
Soft skills
leadershipcollaborationcreative alignmentstrategic planningnetworkinginfluencingstorytellingtastemakerinclusive storytellingcommercial frameworks
