Job Description

Vacancy No

VN2449

Location City

London

Location Country

United Kingdom

Job Title:

Senior Distribution and Partnerships Lead (Social & digital)

Department

: Distribution and Partnerships

Reports to

: Head of Distribution and Platform Partnership

Location

: London

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Distribution & Partnerships is central to the strategic ambition of the business aimed at delivering FAST FORWARD, enabling Channel 4 to adapt to a digital future in which audiences can find and enjoy our public service content (wherever they are!). By creating strong sustainable partnerships where there is fair commercial value exchange, and using insights from data, and our knowledge of the media landscape, we aim to keep Channel 4 at the forefront of the ever-changing media landscape.



We are building upon the 3 strategic pillars to do this:
Maximise Growth in Streaming & Social - challenge and optimise existing relationships to drive viewing and reach, drive prominence, and seek out new distribution partnerships. Grow & Diversify Revenue - optimise distribution and partnerships to grow monetisable inventory, identify and drive growth of new distribution initiatives e.g. content syndication, IP streaming channels, direct social sales. Operational Efficiency & Effectiveness - support the transformation of streaming tech, leverage data and insight to inform platform priorities.



We own Channel 4's relationships with global technology companies (such as Google, Apple and Amazon), pay TV platforms (including Sky and Virgin), TV manufacturers (like LG and Samsung), and social platforms (such as YouTube, Snap and TikTok), among others.



Additionally, we lead the commercial engagement with our PSB joint ventures--Everyone TV and YouView--ensuring stronger PSB prominence, safeguarding shared interests, supporting the transition to IP, and driving efficiencies through shared technology, data, and resources

JOB PURPOSE

Leading the profitable development of Channel 4's relationships with social and digital platforms across the industry. This involves owning the business relationship with all major social platforms--such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Spotify--while also identifying and executing new partnership opportunities.



The role involves accelerating Channel 4's understanding of emerging technologies and trends in the social and digital distribution space and representing Channel 4 across these platforms.



The Senior Lead is responsible for securing and nurturing partnerships that drive both audience growth and revenue; while ensuring Channel 4 and its platform partners meet all commercial obligations. Effective cross-functional collaboration is essential. This could involve working with 4Studio to develop bold, innovative ideas that accelerate growth, shaping our social strategy or defining our proposition on emerging platforms. The role will also work closely with Sales to advance our Social Sales strategy; collaborate with Legal to refine commercial terms for new products or integrations; support Marketing in maximising the impact of new social platform partnerships; and coordinate with Business Affairs to secure the necessary rights for launching content on new services.



Working with the Head of Distribution & Partnerships, the Senior Lead will help to develop and implement our distribution strategy and develop partner engagement plans for social and digital platforms in line with Channel 4's wider strategic objectives.



It's an exciting and interesting role that will help Channel 4 shape how it engages with audiences - and grows revenues - now and in the future!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as the senior lead for Channel 4's portfolio of relationships with major social platforms, cultivating strong holistic partnerships, and influencing the launch of new propositions in the UK to align with Channel 4's commercial and rights priorities. Lead the negotiation and execution of all commercial agreements with social platform partners, aligned to a clear strategy that optimises revenue and advances Channel 4's long-term strategic objectives. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams--including 4Studio, Sales, Product, Technology, Marketing, Corporate Comms, Business Affairs, Finance, Strategy and Consumer Insight--to ensure a cohesive and aligned approach across all B2B touchpoints. Identify and pursue opportunities--both proactively and reactively--for innovation, improvement, and inclusivity with partners. Evaluate potential new deals and prepare strategic recommendations for the Head of Distribution & Partnerships and the Director of Technology & Distribution. Ensure operational and business readiness for new and renewed deals, including legal documentation, rights management, content commitments, and technical development. Oversee compliance with contractual terms and manage ongoing performance, motivating cross-functional teams as needed. Lead quarterly business reviews (QBRs) and develop Joint Business Plans (JBPs) with key partners. Contribute to the development and execution of Channel 4's Distribution Strategy and deal principles--particularly in relation to the transition to all-IP distribution. Ensure visibility of innovation and market trends and make recommendations as to our short-term strategic priorities and long-term broader distribution strategy. Build and disseminate Channel 4's expertise in the platform space, with a focus on emerging social and digital platforms and technologies, ensuring knowledge is shared widely across the organisation. Represent Channel 4 externally as a subject matter expert, building a strong industry reputation and engaging with key opinion leaders and stakeholders. Line manage one Manager (Social/Digital) and collaborate with peers including the Strategy and Innovation Lead (4Studio), and D&P Senior Lead (New Platforms), D&P Senior Lead (Pay TV/Strategy), and D&P Lead (Big Screen/Devices).

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Demonstrate significant experience working with social and digital platforms e.g. YouTube around content distribution and monetisation practices. Superb, authentic relationship-building abilities - with demonstrable experience of productive relationships built with partnerships teams at social platforms and an established network of media industry contacts. Experience of negotiating and closing large-scale commercial deals, demonstrating an ability to lead the agenda of complex discussions and influence senior management at major organisations. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to engage and influence internal senior and Exec stakeholders by articulating complex deal constructs and financial modelling when making recommendations to the business. Demonstrate experience of leading strategic initiatives on social media, managing other team members and different stakeholders (and often competing agendas) to deliver against KPIs. A strategic thinker, who can keep abreast of the fast-moving distribution landscape, emerging technologies, digital products, social media and new means of engaging audiences, and is able to make recommendations around strategic priorities. An understanding of the enabling technologies for content distribution channels, product features and roadmap prioritisation, and an eagerness to proactively learn about new developments. Comfortable competency in using insights and business/financial analysis to inform commercial strategy. Experience in navigating complex operational matters, particularly in the field of TV/VOD/digital, and comfortable with understanding technical detail. Excellence at organisation, attention to detail and comfortable managing a range of competing priorities and making timely decisions.

Basic salary per annum starting from

91,000.00

Application questions to complete

Please remember to complete the additional application questions by uploading a Word or PDF attachment. These questions really help us get to know you better and we won't be able to consider your application without them.

Please outline how you meet the 'Essential Experience & Skills' outlined in the (Max 500 words)

Benefits

There are a million reasons why it's great to work at Channel 4, here are just a few of the perks for you;




- Private medical insurance


- Free Virtual GP access for employees


- Free Female Health hormone test each year


- Free Tastecard membership


- Financial guidance 1-2-1's available each quarter


- Discounted Gym memberships


- Pension


- Life Assurance


- Income Protection


- Holiday Purchase

Hybrid working

From September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week.


Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days. Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. All our offices are open five days a week.

Applications Close Date

24 Jun 2025

Equal Opportunities

Channel 4's purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK.




We are only able to deliver on this remit by having a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background and lived experience. As an employer we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.




Disability Confident Scheme:


Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and has also maintained the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension's Disability Confident scheme - Level 3: Leader. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, we aim to offer an interview to all candidates who have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and who meet the essential criteria for an advertised job. If you wish your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please select yes when completing the application questions. For more information, please visit the Disability Confident Campaign website.




For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.




Care Leaver Friendly Employer:


Channel 4 is a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. By signing the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopting its principles, we are supporting an immensely talented yet often under-served and under-represented community of young people/ adults. We commit to offering an interview (and constructive feedback) to applicants who identify as care experienced and meet the essential criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. Applicants should indicate if they wish to apply under our Care Leaver Scheme by selecting the option on the application form.




For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.




Workplace Adjustments:


We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field when applying for a job and support whilst employed to perform to the best of their ability and develop their careers. If you have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and require any adjustments, additional support or alternative arrangements during the recruitment and wish to discuss this confidentially, please let us know via the following e-mail recruitment@channel4.co.uk