Head of Podcasts

Stan.; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

18 weeks paid parental leave

Employee Exclusives program

Digital newspaper subscription

Annual Stan subscription voucher

Nine Careers guidance

Job summary

Nine seeks a Head of Podcasts to lead 9Podcasts across Nine and Stan’s News, Entertainment, and Sports divisions. You will drive creative innovation, champion video-first formats, manage top talent, and build a commercially scalable digital audio business with cross-platform growth.

Lead a high-performing team of executive producers, audio engineers, editors, and strategists, aligning production with commercial performance and reinvestment.

Qualifications

• Executive leadership experience in digital audio, podcasts, or modern media publishing.
• Proven ability to drive profitable content models and sponsorships.
• Deep knowledge of end-to-end podcast production and video-first workflows.
• Experience with hosting systems, RSS, YouTube growth, and analytics platforms.
• Strong track record in negotiating with broadcast personalities and creators.
• Ability to identify trends and lead teams through digital transformation.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the overarching digital audio strategy with editorial and commercial viability.
• Oversee development of original audio/video content and talent-led shows.
• Optimize production resources by expanding top titles and sunsetting underperformers.
• Drive video-first formats across YouTube, digital platforms and social media.
• Own network P&L and grow revenue through sponsorships, sales and partnerships.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial Acumen

Content & Production

Platform & Analytics

Talent Relations

Strategic Vision

Job description

Company Description
Nine is Australia’s largest locally owned media company. Working at Nine, you’ll have access to a unique range of experiences and opportunities, helping drive the success of the country’s most trusted television, radio, digital and publishing brands.

Our content reaches almost every Australian - meaning what we do has real impact. We bring people together, celebrate the big moments, and capture the everyday ones.

Some of our most beloved brands have been part of Australian life for generations, and others - new on the scene - have already found their place firmly in our lives. We’re evolving and we need people like you to bring new ideas, innovate and make your mark.

Job Description

As a core leader within Nine’s newly established Social and Off-Platform team, the Head of Podcasts steers the future of 9Podcasts, home to many of Australia’s top audio assets. Operating across Nine and Stan’s News, Entertainment, and Sports divisions, this role focuses on driving creative innovation to accelerate the network’s growth strategy. By championing video-first formats, managing top-tier talent, and creating compelling off-platform content, you will deepen fan engagement with our iconic shows and sports while building a high-performing, commercially scalable digital audio business.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio & Content Strategy

• Define and execute the overarching digital audio strategy, balancing editorial excellence with high-growth commercial viability.

• Oversee the end-to-end development of original audio and video content, companion programming for major broadcast properties, and original talent-led shows.

• Continuously evaluate network performance, optimizing production resources by expanding high-performing titles and sunsetting underperforming assets.

• Drive content innovation by transitioning traditional audio setups into video-first, cross-platform formats optimized for YouTube, digital video platforms, and social media.

Commercial & Business Development

• Take ownership of network P&L targets, driving sustainable revenue growth through sponsorships, branded integration, direct sales, and platform partnerships.

• Collaborate closely with enterprise sales teams to bundle podcast assets into cross-media sponsorship packages.

• Diversify revenue streams by exploring dynamic ad insertion, premium creator representation deals, and video monetisation models.

Team Leadership & Talent Management

• Lead, mentor, and build a high-performing team of executive producers, audio engineers, video editors, and digital strategists.

• Identify, recruit, and manage top-tier on-air talent, media personalities, and independent content creators.

• Foster a collaborative culture that aligns production output with commercial performance and operational reinvestment.

Required Experience & Skills

• Leadership: 7+ years of senior leadership experience managing content strategy, operations, and P&L within digital audio, podcast networks, commercial radio, or modern media publishing.

• Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated success in developing profitable content models, securing major direct sponsorships, and aligning digital audio products with broader media sales strategies.

• Content & Production Expertise: Deep knowledge of full-funnel podcast production—from creative development and scripting to video-first production and post-production workflows.

• Platform & Analytics Knowledge: Mastery of podcast hosting systems, RSS distribution, programmatic ad tech, YouTube channel growth strategies, and audience analytics platforms.

• Talent Relations: Strong background in negotiating with, coaching, and managing high-profile broadcast personalities and digital content creators.

• Strategic Vision & Adaptability: Ability to identify emerging audio and media trends, turn abstract ideas into viable content products, and lead teams through digital transformation.

**Additional Information

How we work

At Nine, our flexible work options vary by role and team. Depending on the position, this may include flexible hours, hybrid work, or part-time arrangements. We welcome discussing your flexibility needs during the hiring process - just ask the Talent Acquisition team.

Our employee benefits include:

• 18 weeks paid parental leave with no distinction between primary and secondary carers

• Access to ‘Employee Exclusives’ program - a way of getting closer to our incredible brands, offering unique experiences, behind-the-scenes access, and awesome perks.

• Digital newspaper subscription to our mastheads

• Annual gift voucher for Stan subscription

• More info at Nine Careers

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We’re committed to a safe, respectful and inclusive Nine. From day one, you’ll be encouraged to bring your whole self to work and will be supported to perform at your best.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, and of all ages, genders, nationalities, backgrounds and cultures as we recognise the importance and value of diverse perspectives. Should you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please advise us when you apply.

Work rights: Please note to apply for this role you must already have the right to lawfully work and live in Australia.