The Senior Director UK Series is responsible for the creative leadership audience growth and commercial performance of The Athletics UK-based series portfolio. This includes flagship football and motorsport properties such as The Athletic FC The Totally Football Show The Race Talk of the Devils and future series across Premier League Formula 1 and other global sports.
Collectively these series reach tens of millions of fans annually across audio video written social and live platforms.
The Senior Director UK Series will ensure these brands consistently exceed audience expectations especially around tentpole moments such as the World Cup European Championships transfer windows F1 pre-season and race weekends and other major sports and cultural moments. This role sits at the intersection of editorial excellence production leadership and commercial strategy.
The Senior Director UK Series will lead The Athletics UK production team partner closely with UK newsroom leadership and collaborate with external production companies publishers and platforms. They will also work cross-functionally with operations sales marketing product and finance to set strategy unlock revenue and manage resources in alignment with company priorities.
Responsibilities
Editorial & Creative Leadership
Team & Production Leadership
Audience Growth & Performance
Audience Growth & Performance
Editorial & Creative Leadership
Set the creative vision and editorial strategy for The Athletics UK series slate ensuring distinct high-quality storytelling that reflects The Athletics journalistic standards and brand voice.
Own series-level planning across the calendar including coverage strategies for major moments such as the World Cup Euros Premier League seasons transfer windows and the F1 calendar.
Accelerate the expansion of our video programming across YouTube and TikTok.
Partner with UK newsroom leadership to amplify their world-class reporting across our series audio video social and live formats.
Identify and develop new series formats and talent with a focus on long-term franchises rather than one-off programming.
Ensure consistency quality control and audience relevance across all UK series.
Team & Production Leadership
Lead and develop The Athletics UK-based production team fostering a culture of editorial ambition operational excellence and collaboration.
Work with series EPs to optimize day-to-day production workflows ensuring shows are delivered on time on budget and at a consistently high standard.
Manage high-level relationships with external production partners talent and distributors negotiating scopes timelines and creative alignment.
Act as the senior UK series leader representing The Athletic internally and externally.
Audience Growth & Performance
Own audience strategy and performance for UK series working with analytics marketing and product teams to drive growth across platforms.
Use data and audience insights to inform programming decisions talent development release strategies and experimentation.
Champion a fan-first mindset ensuring content is accessible distinctive and valuable to both core and emerging audiences.
Commercial & Strategic Leadership
Partner with sales and partnerships teams to develop exciting first-to-market commercial programs including sponsorships branded content and platform partnerships.
Balance editorial integrity with commercial opportunity ensuring programs feel authentic to audiences and talent.
Work with finance and operations to manage budgets forecast performance and allocate resources effectively.
Contribute to broader company strategy particularly as it relates to international growth franchise expansion and new business models.
Requirements
10 years of experience in media sports or entertainment with a strong track record in content leadership production or general management.
Proven experience running or overseeing multi-platform series (audio video digital social) ideally within sports news or premium content.
Deep understanding of UK and global football and/or Formula 1 audiences with a strong editorial instinct for what resonates culturally.
Demonstrated ability to balance creative ambition with commercial outcomes including experience working with sales sponsors or partners.
Experience leading teams managing budgets and working cross-functionally in complex organizations.
Strong communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and external partners.
Comfortable operating at both a strategic and hands-on level especially around major live moments and breaking news cycles.
The Athletic offers unique perks and benefits to all full-time employees based on their country of residence. Our UK benefits packages offer benefits and perks competitive to the local market.
The Athletic Media Company is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. The Athletic will consider all applicants without regard to race religion color national origin ancestry physical and/or mental disability medical condition genetic information marital status sex gender gender identity gender expression transgender status age sexual orientation military or veteran status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
About UsAbout the RoleThe Senior Director UK Series is responsible for the creative leadership audience growth and commercial performance of The Athletics UK-based series portfolio. This includes flagship football and motorsport properties such as The Athletic FC The Totally Football Show The Race T...
About Us
About the Role
The Senior Director UK Series is responsible for the creative leadership audience growth and commercial performance of The Athletics UK-based series portfolio. This includes flagship football and motorsport properties such as The Athletic FC The Totally Football Show The Race Talk of the Devils and future series across Premier League Formula 1 and other global sports.
Collectively these series reach tens of millions of fans annually across audio video written social and live platforms.
The Senior Director UK Series will ensure these brands consistently exceed audience expectations especially around tentpole moments such as the World Cup European Championships transfer windows F1 pre-season and race weekends and other major sports and cultural moments. This role sits at the intersection of editorial excellence production leadership and commercial strategy.
The Senior Director UK Series will lead The Athletics UK production team partner closely with UK newsroom leadership and collaborate with external production companies publishers and platforms. They will also work cross-functionally with operations sales marketing product and finance to set strategy unlock revenue and manage resources in alignment with company priorities.
Responsibilities
Editorial & Creative Leadership
Team & Production Leadership
Audience Growth & Performance
Audience Growth & Performance
Editorial & Creative Leadership
Set the creative vision and editorial strategy for The Athletics UK series slate ensuring distinct high-quality storytelling that reflects The Athletics journalistic standards and brand voice.
Own series-level planning across the calendar including coverage strategies for major moments such as the World Cup Euros Premier League seasons transfer windows and the F1 calendar.
Accelerate the expansion of our video programming across YouTube and TikTok.
Partner with UK newsroom leadership to amplify their world-class reporting across our series audio video social and live formats.
Identify and develop new series formats and talent with a focus on long-term franchises rather than one-off programming.
Ensure consistency quality control and audience relevance across all UK series.
Team & Production Leadership
Lead and develop The Athletics UK-based production team fostering a culture of editorial ambition operational excellence and collaboration.
Work with series EPs to optimize day-to-day production workflows ensuring shows are delivered on time on budget and at a consistently high standard.
Manage high-level relationships with external production partners talent and distributors negotiating scopes timelines and creative alignment.
Act as the senior UK series leader representing The Athletic internally and externally.
Audience Growth & Performance
Own audience strategy and performance for UK series working with analytics marketing and product teams to drive growth across platforms.
Use data and audience insights to inform programming decisions talent development release strategies and experimentation.
Champion a fan-first mindset ensuring content is accessible distinctive and valuable to both core and emerging audiences.
Commercial & Strategic Leadership
Partner with sales and partnerships teams to develop exciting first-to-market commercial programs including sponsorships branded content and platform partnerships.
Balance editorial integrity with commercial opportunity ensuring programs feel authentic to audiences and talent.
Work with finance and operations to manage budgets forecast performance and allocate resources effectively.
Contribute to broader company strategy particularly as it relates to international growth franchise expansion and new business models.
Requirements
10 years of experience in media sports or entertainment with a strong track record in content leadership production or general management.
Proven experience running or overseeing multi-platform series (audio video digital social) ideally within sports news or premium content.
Deep understanding of UK and global football and/or Formula 1 audiences with a strong editorial instinct for what resonates culturally.
Demonstrated ability to balance creative ambition with commercial outcomes including experience working with sales sponsors or partners.
Experience leading teams managing budgets and working cross-functionally in complex organizations.
Strong communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and external partners.
Comfortable operating at both a strategic and hands-on level especially around major live moments and breaking news cycles.
The Athletic offers unique perks and benefits to all full-time employees based on their country of residence. Our UK benefits packages offer benefits and perks competitive to the local market.
The Athletic Media Company is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. The Athletic will consider all applicants without regard to race religion color national origin ancestry physical and/or mental disability medical condition genetic information marital status sex gender gender identity gender expression transgender status age sexual orientation military or veteran status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
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