Job Description

YouTube Content Production Manager
Location: Milton Keynes (Hybrid - 2 days per week onsite)
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term until 31 July 2026
Hours: 37 hours per week
Team: External Communications
Pay rate: 20.10 per hour
The Opportunity Pertemps is recruiting on behalf of The Open University for an experienced YouTube Content Production Manager to lead the end-to-end management, optimisation and delivery of the University's YouTube channel. This is a high-profile role supporting a funded strategic content programme, focused on increasing reach, discoverability and audience engagement through high-quality, audience-first video content.
The Role You will take full ownership of the YouTube channel, combining channel strategy, SEO and performance reporting with hands-on video production and editing. Working at pace within a complex stakeholder environment, you will manage multiple video projects simultaneously and play a key role in delivering the University's digital communications priorities.
Key responsibilities include:
Channel Strategy, Optimisation and SEO

• Lead the reorganisation and optimisation of the YouTube channel structure, playlists and content hierarchy.
• Implement YouTube SEO best practice across titles, descriptions, tags, thumbnails and captions.
• Ensure content is optimised for discoverability, accessibility and long-term performance.

Content Production and Editorial Management

• Oversee the full production lifecycle of video content, from concept and scripting to filming, editing and publishing.
• Act as a hands-on video editor where required, using Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently, working to tight deadlines using Monday.com.
• Ensure all content meets brand, tone of voice and accessibility standards.

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with internal teams, faculties and senior stakeholders to commission and deliver content,
• Translate stakeholder objectives into engaging, effective YouTube content.
• Provide expert guidance on YouTube formats and best practice

Measurement, Reporting and Optimisation

• Establish and maintain performance measurement aligned to institutional KPIs.
• Analyse channel performance using YouTube Analytics.
• Produce insight-led reports and recommendations for senior stakeholders.

Governance and Best Practice

• Ensure compliance with copyright, consent, safeguarding and data protection requirements.
• Maintain efficient workflows and documentation.
• Keep up to date with platform developments and industry best practice.

About You
Essential:

• Proven experience managing and growing a YouTube channel in a professional or organisational setting.
• Strong hands-on experience in video production and editing.
• In-depth knowledge of YouTube SEO, analytics and platform best practice.
• Experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Highly organised, proactive and comfortable working at pace.
• Confident balancing strategic oversight with hands-on delivery.
• Collaborative, data-informed and focused on continuous improvement.

Desirable:

• Experience in a large, complex or public-sector organisation.
• Experience with performance frameworks and digital reporting.
• Understanding of accessibility requirements for video content.
• Background in educational or mission-driven content.

To be considered, please click 'Apply' with your most up-to-date CV.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.
Pertemps acts as both an employment business and an employment agency on behalf of The Open University.

Skills Required