YouTube Strategist

Gilder Search Group; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilder Search Group is seeking a world-class YouTube Strategist to join the team onsite in San Jose. You will own our YouTube presence end-to-end, shaping channel strategy, formats, and packaging while supervising production and analytics.

You’ll lead a small team of strategists and creatives, drive performance through data-driven optimization, and align content with business goals like leads, conversions, and retention. This is a hands-on, leadership role in a fast-growing environment.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of experience in YouTube channel strategy, development, or digital content production.
• Proven ability to grow educational, B2B, or expert-niche channels.
• Expert-level understanding of packaging (titles/thumbnails), retention editing, and algorithm shifts.
• Strong analytics focus with data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Define, execute, and scale YouTube channel strategy, formats, and brand identity to drive subscriber growth and direct business results.
• Lead video ideation and strategy including packaging (titles, thumbnails, hooks) to maximize CTR and retention.
• Manage end-to-end production pipelines from concept to upload with cross-functional collaboration.
• Build and direct a dedicated team of strategists, researchers, designers, editors, and production talent.
• Continuously analyze performance metrics and drive data-driven strategy adjustments.

Job description

Our client is looking for a world-class YouTube Strategist to join their team onsite in San Jose. In this role, you will own our YouTube presence end-to-end – driving everything from high-level channel strategy, packaging, and ideation to hands-on production oversight and performance analytics.

Media is their core growth engine, and they are building a generational brand by delivering high-impact, business-driving content. We aren't looking for a passive manager or someone who focuses on vanity metrics; our client need a proactive leader obsessed with YouTube, audience psychology, and real business outcomes (leads, conversions, retention, and brand scale).

If you are a multifaceted strategist with the receipts to prove your success in B2B, educational, or expert niches, this is your opportunity to lead, build a team, and shape the future of a media ecosystem.

What You’ll Own & Do

• Define, execute, and scale our YouTube channel strategy, formats, and brand identity to drive subscriber growth, high median views, and direct business results.
• Lead video ideation and strategy – deciding what videos get made, why they get made, and how they are packaged (titles, thumbnails, and hooks) to maximize CTR and audience retention.
• Manage end-to-end production pipelines. Collaborate with creative teams to take concepts from handoff through shoot day, post-production, final approval, and upload.
• Build, manage, and direct a dedicated team of junior strategists, researchers, thumbnail designers, video editors, and production talent as we scale.
• Continuously analyze performance metrics (retention curves, view velocity, subscriber conversion, lead generation). Lead A/B testing back-catalogue packaging and adapt strategy based on data-driven patterns.
• Manage the YouTube upload calendar, direct research workflows, and coordinate with internal marketing teams and external stakeholders to ensure seamless deliverables with zero dropped balls.

What We’re Looking For

• 3–5+ years of experience in YouTube channel strategy, development, or digital content production. You can point directly to successful channels and say, "I did that."
• Demonstrated success growing channels in educational, B2B, or expert niches – understanding what makes a sophisticated audience click, watch, and convert.
• Obsessed with the platform. You possess an expert-level understanding of packaging (titles/thumbnails), retention editing, algorithm shifts, competitive analysis, and content structuring.
• You rely on analytics and research over gut feel, focusing on real impact (leads, conversion, median views, retention) rather than surface-level metrics.
• Strong creative judgment combined with high operational control – comfortable building shot lists, managing production timelines, overseeing editing/post-production workflows, and making fast decisions on the ground.
• Highly proactive and self-directed. You don't wait for instructions – you figure it out, lead teams, give direct actionable feedback, and own the outcome.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor applicants at this time. We do not accept unsolicited C2C resumes.