Creative Developmental Lead | Romance and Drama

Job Description

About Pocket FM

It’s an amazing time to join Pocket FM as we continue shaping the future of audio entertainment both in the United States and globally. We are a leading audio OTT platform with a vast collection of series, podcasts, and audiobooks across a wide variety of genres.

With over 100k+ hours of content and 200k+ creators, Pocket FM has one of the largest libraries on the planet and we have grown a community of 100 million listeners, spending an average of over 150 minutes in-app every day. Total streaming of Pocket FM audio series now tops 4 billion minutes monthly.

Position Overview : As a Creative Development Lead for the Romance and Drama verticals within the US Creative Development team, you'll be part of the team behind our content evolution. Your mission? Leverage your unique left-brain / right brain combination of creative instincts and analytical mind to adapt our current slate of titles to become the best-in-class audio shows that will excite audiences and help Pocket FM achieve its ambitious goals.

Why You? You're not just a talented creative development executive; you're a cartographer of story, able to analyze the components of storytelling in any format that will make for a compelling entertainment experience. You have a love for Soapy Romance and Drama content and a deep knowledge of the stories, tropes, and themes that drive fandom in this genre within the US and abroad. You know what works and what doesn’t : on Pocket FM, in web fiction and digital video, as well as the broader entertainment landscape. You have a proven track record of working with writers to develop successful stories, ideally in the web fiction space, and a strong network of writers you have worked with before. Join us and make your mark on the media landscape.

A successful candidate is a highly motivated individual who works comfortably and autonomously in a fast-paced environment. He or she has strong creative instincts, but balances those instincts with a

highly analytical mind that likes to use data and research to figure out what an audience is looking for in our content. He or she is a rabid consumer of Romance and Drama content across the entertainment landscape including audio storytelling, streaming / OTT services, and digital platforms serving up web fiction. The right candidate has the ability to build strong convictions around our content slate for PocketFM - and communicate those convictions clearly and concisely while overseeing the adaptation of our slate. Familiarity and experience adapting foreign IP for the US market is a huge plus. He or she has a demonstrated ability to manage priorities and projects proactively and with limited oversight, and the right mix of organizational and communication skills to keep all stakeholders aligned.

Responsibilities :

1. Show Adaptation, Production, and Launch :

Lead the creative development on assigned projects, transforming our slate of Romance and Drama IP into high quality, long-form audio dramas for Pocket FM

Develop the internal creative strategy on each title under your oversight and build a plan to adapt that source material in a way that aligns with US sensibilities, while still exciting the existing fanbase

Manage the project from pre-production through post-launch, ensuring the consistency of high quality creative development throughout the process while maintaining tight timelines and budgets

Provide in-depth notes and direct creative feedback on all scripts and audio production assets to ensure we are executing on the best possible version of the show

Oversee the marketing and launch plan for the show, coordinating with all internal and external stakeholders to ensure a successful launch

Be the internal expert and advocate for the show and the evangelize the opportunity it presents to Pocket audiences

2. Pre- and Post-Launch Planning and Optimization :

Manage the execution of the show cross-functionally with creative, production, marketing, product and growth teams to ensure our titles reach their highest potential

Create the release schedule and launch strategy for each show optimizing for key performance metrics like retention of our audience

Carefully monitor and analyze the performance of launched shows, gathering insights and making adjustments where needed to optimize each show’s success

3. Collaboration and Cross-Functional Communication :

Collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout the business to ensure a clear and consistent understanding of the shows and their audience

Provide clear and concise briefs to creative teams, licensing teams, and senior leadership on our biggest bets

Act as the subject matter expert with cross-functional business and technical teams to drive strategy initiatives meant to increase our understanding of our audience, our content, and our shows.

4. Future Content Strategy + Commissioning Development :

Support the Genre Head and Head of Content Strategy in defining the content strategy, goals, and objectives of the company

Provide input to define and refine the future US content commissioning strategy once success with the current slate has been established

Provide thorough market research to identify emerging trends, priority verticals and genres, audience preferences, and analyze the competitive landscape in the media industry

Develop a deep understanding of our target audience and infuse your expertise into our content strategies to meet their evolving needs

Qualifications :

• Previous experience in creative development (3-5 years). Prior experience at an audio platform, streaming / OTT services, and / or digital platforms serving up web fiction (Webnovel, Royal Road, ReelShorts, DramaBox, etc).
• Project management experience working with writers, actors, and production staff to complete projects on time and under budget
• Strong domain knowledge of the Romance and Drama space, and familiarity with web fiction and its audience around the world. Experience working with foreign IP and adapting it for the US market is a huge plus.
• Experience working with data and using it to develop insights around creative material
• Strong understanding of media trends, audience behavior, and market dynamics
• Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills
• Experience working in a fast-paced startup environment with a strong bias towards action
• Bachelor's degree in film / tv, media, screenwriting or a related field

Join Our Team : You're not just applying for a role; you're embracing a challenge that will redefine media. If you're ready to immerse yourself in a world where creativity meets strategy and where your talent will be the driving force behind the media's next era.

Language Proficiency : English

Location : Los Angeles, CA