Director of Video & Audio

At Hearst UK, there’s always more to the story. Join us as our new Director of Video & Audio to start the next chapter in your career. You will be responsible for spearheading the audiovisual content strategy of 16 iconic brands, each with a distinguished history and a strong foundation in their respective niches. Your job will be to transform these established brands into leaders in the fields of video and audio output. Spanning both editorial and commercial, this role demands high levels of creativity and strategic thinking, with a keen understanding of platform behaviour and economics, how to create distinctive brand IP in the audiovisual space, plus the ability to grow engaged audiences and maximise revenue opportunities.

We’re the UK’s leading premium publisher, and the people behind iconic media brands such as Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Country Living. We’ve created a working environment that encourages everyone to pull together. We never stop looking for brave new ideas. We’ll always try to develop and improve, we trust each other to do our best, and we have fun as we build on our heritage to make history.

ABOUT THE ROLE 
Strategise Output by Brand and Platform

• Develop and implement comprehensive video and audio strategies for each brand.
• Generate on-brand, cross-platform creative ideas, series and franchises across social-only, short-form and documentary-style video.
• Oversee creative development and execution of all content, partnering closely with commercial, brand and marketing teams to maximise audience and revenue opportunities
• Understand and appreciate the nuances of different platforms and tailor content accordingly
• Stay updated with platform trends and adjust strategies to remain competitive

 

Create Distinctive Brand IP

• Work with editorial and content teams to identify and utilise unique aspects of each brand's intellectual property to generate distinctive franchises
• Innovate and create content that resonates with audiences and reinforces brand identity
• Have a great understanding of building a channel and programming series on YouTube and on-site

 

Connect Ideation with Analytics and Insight

• Integrate commercial insights and analytics into the content ideation process.
• Keep abreast of video-related platform updates, algorithmic changes and best practice
• Interrogate creative ideas for the best possible iterations to generate engagement across various platforms including but not limited to YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, IGTV, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok and live video
• Ensure data-driven decision-making to enhance content performance and engagement

 

Explore and Leverage Social-First Video & Audio

• Work with the Social team to develop strategies to create and optimise social-first video and vodcast content.
• Ensure that content is tailored to suit the unique dynamics of social media platforms.
• Have a great understanding of building a channel and programming series on media platforms such as Instagram and Tiktok

 

Innovate in Audio, Podcast and Vodcasts

• Identify and create new opportunities in audio, podcast and vodcast production.
• Work with brand and commercial teams on creating engaging audio content that can exist on multiple platforms
• Demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the audio space and where there is opportunity for growth

 

Creative Excellence

• Demonstrate creativity and innovation in producing best-in-class video and audio content, maintaining a high standard of production quality across all audiovisual outputs
• Flex creatively to assist producers, directors and editors as needed
• Manage and support the post production process and be responsible, ensuring exemplary standards and that deadlines are met
• Have an excellent knowledge of video, audio and graphics needed throughout the pre & post production process.
• Drive initiatives to enhance the company’s reputation in the video and audio space

 

ABOUT YOU

• Proven experience in a senior video and audio production role, preferably within the publishing or media industry
• Strong strategic thinking skills with a focus on revenue maximisation and audience engagement.
• Excellent collaboration skills with the ability to unite various teams towards common objectives.
• Proficient in leveraging brand IP and integrating commercial insights into content creation
• Creative flair with a track record of producing top-tier video and audio content.
• Deep understanding of platform-specific content strategies and trends.
• Passionate about helping transform legacy magazine brands into digital leaders in audiovisual media

 

 

WHAT WE OFFER

At Hearst UK, you can choose from a huge range of perks and benefits that can help you learn well, work well and live well including:

 

• 25 days’ holiday (with the option to buy up to 5 additional holiday days) - pro rated for part-time or fixed-term employees
• Discounted gym membership
• Healthcare cash plan
• Spend a charity day with your favourite good cause
• Life assurance and pension scheme
• Regular socials and more!

 

There’s more to your story than you imagine. And the next chapter begins right here. 

 

Hearst UK is deeply committed to using our influential brands to reflect the world we want to live in – one that respects, protects, represents and uplifts the voices and opinions of all people. As a business, we recognise the significant benefits of creativity, collaboration and innovation that comes with diverse teams. Not only is diversifying the voices in our organization the right thing to do, but it also helps us to make powerful and exciting content that can be enjoyed by many more people. This is why we’re working to build a sense of true belonging within our business and foster a culture in which everyone feels heard.