Creative Director - Programming (Sony Marathi)

Head – Programming (Non-Fiction), Sony Marathi

Location: Mumbai| Function: Programming| Reports to: Business Head – Sony Marathi

Purpose

We are looking for a strategic leader to head the non-fiction programming strategy for the channel. This role is responsible for managing the entire creative and operational lifecycle of content delivery with the ultimate objective of driving viewership, channel GRP, reach, and ad revenue. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of our target audience's preferences and consumption habits, balancing creative vision with rigorous operational management to ensure high-quality content is delivered on time, within brief, and aligned with financial and operating income targets.

Key Responsibilities

1. Creative Development & Execution

• Collaborate with top industry talent and internal teams (Research, Programming, Marketing) to conceptualize new shows and promos.
• Develop consumer-centric and competitive content that aligns with channel strategy.
• Execute successful show launches and sustenance promos on schedule.
• Track and report the delivery of new concepts and content effectiveness.

1. Ratings & Reach Management

• Plan and schedule non-fiction content to meet GRP and reach targets.
• Monitor episode delivery timelines and ensure content is aired as per schedule.
• Analyze ratings performance regularly and recommend adjustments to optimize reach.
• Coordinate with OAP, Marketing & Strategy and Insights team to maximize audience engagement.

1. Revenue & Operating Income

• Track ad revenue and operating income against monthly and yearly plans.
• Implement initiatives to optimize monetization and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to drive revenue-generating campaigns.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue through integrated content and promotional initiatives.

1. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Marketing, Sales, OAP, and Events teams on integrated channel initiatives.
• Facilitate coordination across functions to maximize efficiency and outcomes.
• Drive projects that contribute measurably to channel revenue and operating income.
• Resolve inter-departmental issues quickly to ensure smooth execution of campaigns.

1. Team Leadership & Development

• Mentor and train the non-fiction programming team to build strategic and technical capability.
• Implement development plans and track progress for team members.
• Foster a high-performing, engaged, and collaborative team culture.
• Retain and grow key talent while monitoring team engagement and performance metrics.

Key Metrics

1. Successful execution of launches and promos; consumer-centric, competitive content; number of new concepts/shows delivered.
2. Achievement of planned GRPs and reach; episode delivery on schedule.
3. Monthly ad revenue and OI vs plan; cost efficiency; revenue contribution through integrated initiatives.
4. Successful completion of collaboration projects; measurable contribution to network/cluster revenue & OI.
5. Team engagement score; measurable development plans executed; retention and growth of key talent.

Critical Competencies

• Strategic thinking & decision making
• Creativity and innovation
• Leadership & mentoring
• Collaboration & stakeholder management
• Project management & execution excellence
• Impactful communication

Technical Competencies

• Non-fiction content strategy & programming
• Budgeting & ROI assessment
• Consumer & competition insight analysis

Why join us

Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited (SPNI) (formerly known as Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, Japan. A leading media and entertainment conglomerate, SPNI comprises 29 Premium Channels in both SD and HD formats, including leading Hindi General Entertainment Television Channels - Sony Entertainment Television; Sony SAB and Sony PAL; Marathi General Entertainment Channel - Sony Marathi; Bangla General Entertainment Channel - Sony AATH; Hindi Movie Channels - Sony MAX, Sony MAX 1, Sony MAX 2 and Sony WAH; renowned destination for sports fans - Sony Sports Network comprising Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 5; Kids Entertainment Channel - Sony YAY!; English Movie Channel - Sony PIX; Factual Entertainment Channel - Sony BBC Earth; Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channel in the US and Canada – Sony KAL; Digital entertainment OTT platform - Sony LIV and the independent production venture for original content and IPs for TV and digital media - Studio NEXT. This Network reaches out to over 700 million viewers in India and is available in over 150 countries.

Recognized as an employer of choice within and outside the media industry, SPNI is a recipient of several awards, including India's Best Companies to Work For 2021 by the Great Place to Work® Institute, India, Exemplars of Inclusion in AVTAR & Seramount's Most Inclusive Companies Index 2024 and listed as one of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India for eight consecutive years by AVTAR & Seramount. In recognition of the company's unique workplace culture and exceptional people practices SPNI won the ET Future Skills 2024 for Best Learning Program Supporting Change Transformation Business Strategy, and the TISS LeapVault CLO Awards 2024 for Best Employee Engagement Program and Best Games Based Learning Program.

SPNI is in its 31st year of operations in India. Besides having overseas subsidiaries, it has a subsidiary MSM-Worldwide Factual Media Private Limited, and an affiliate, Bangla Entertainment Private Limited in India.

For more information, log onto www.sonypicturesnetworks.com