Senior Manager, YouTube UK & EMEA

Job ID 10141139 Location London, United Kingdom Business The Walt Disney Company (EMEA) Date posted Feb. 12, 2026

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Job Summary:

Be you, be here, be part of the story!

At The Walt Disney Company, magic is more than just a word; it's a way of life. For a century, we've been inspiring imaginations, celebrating diversity, and bringing families together through our beloved stories, characters, and experiences. From our iconic theme parks and resorts to our groundbreaking films, television shows, interactive media and products, we're dedicated to creating magic that knows no bounds.

This is an office-based role. 4 days working in the Hammersmith, London office with 1 day working from home (Monday or Friday).

This is a 12m FTC role.

Values

You’ll join a team grounded in our Disney values — acting with Integrity, welcoming everyone through Inclusion, embracing boundless Creativity, working together through Collaboration and caring deeply for our Community. These values shape how we work and how we support one another every day.

The Senior Manager, YouTube & Creators UK & EMEA has direct responsibility for the management, implementation, strategic development and oversight of The Walt Disney Company’s (TWDC) UK & EMEA YouTube channels and creator strategy. This role will play a critical part in developing and leading Disney’s approach to YouTube across EMEA.

Reporting to the Director of Social Media, UK & EMEA and lead of the EMEA Centre of Excellence (COE), the Senior Manager will have oversight of all YouTube channels in the region and is accountable for ensuring teams and channels are fully optimised and set up for success. This will involve working with multiple stakeholders, Regional YouTube teams, the Global COE and external advisors to set-out and communicate best practice and lead a team of YouTube experts to deliver operational excellence.

The Senior Manager will be responsible for setting, developing and evolving the YouTube strategy for the UK & EMEA in line to meet the objectives set out by the Director of Social Media. This requires a solid understanding of the specific needs and requirements of each UK Line of Business (LOB) and EMEA market to ensure the team is equipped to deliver content and schedules that are tailored to each audience, account and market and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

As part of the Cross-Company Social Media team, this role will work closely with multiple stakeholders across the UK & EMEA to provide guidance and support to help them achieve their objectives on YouTube. This includes the Disney Consumer Products (DCP) and Brand Franchise Management (BFM) teams to ensure that their key priorities achieve maximum audience amongst relevant audiences on YouTube. Additionally, the role will support the management of content flow in adherence with local market restrictions in order to set content strategies bespoke to each region.

The Senior Manager has direct responsibility for the @DisneyUK and @DisneyChannelUK YouTube channels and will be responsible for: driving growth and engagement against clearly defined KPI’s, identifying varied content opportunities, spearheading innovative creative executions, optimising the accounts within the CMS, trialling new formats and working with the Paid Social Media team to identify opportunities to amplify content and drive conversion.

A proactive and creative thinker, the Senior Manager will identify new opportunities, overcome challenges and be able to communicate and implement solutions quickly and effectively ensuring that stakeholders are kept informed and updated. The ability to identify efficiencies by maximising opportunities for cross-pollination of content across social media platforms is also a key aspect of this role.

In addition to YouTube, the Senior Manager, YouTube & Creators has responsibility for overseeing influencer and creator activity across all UK LOBs, working with Legal and Compliance leads to ensure best practices are communicated and adopted whilst maintaining and running the UK Influencer & Creator Database and vetting process to maintain standards across TWDC. This role is the key point of contact for advice on influencer & creator activity, providing input and insights on all aspects of engagement including selection, measurement, contracting, agencies, kidfluencers, industry challenges, ambassadorships & presenter led content – paid and unpaid.

Working with Exec leadership, the Director of Social Media and business leaders across the region, the Senior Manager will set the bar to which all EMEA YouTube leads and TWDC creator and influencer campaigns should aspire. Advising EMEA markets and UK lines of business on social media best practice, setting clear guidelines and processes to facilitate content sharing, learnings and driving close collaboration across the region.

Areas of Responsibility

YouTube Account Management & Oversight – UK & EMEA

Direct responsibility for operation and performance for all UK YouTube channels (DisneyUK & DisneyChannelUK)

Oversight and guidance of all EMEA YouTube accounts – supporting with evergreen content, best practice, governance and content sharing (operational support for Italy)

Responsibility for the optimisation and growth of UK & EMEA YouTube accounts and the successful delivery of campaigns. Working with the Senior Analyst to set benchmarks and KPIs to evolve and increase performance for maximum exposure and impact

Work with global and EMEA teams to ensure that EMEA needs, requirements, timings and local nuances are taken into account - sharing information in both directions

Set the strategy for EMEA Disney Junior YouTube content – managing full episode roll-out to support, DCP and franchise priorities in linear and Disney+ markets – taking into account the specific restrictions in each market.

Evolve the content strategy for each audience-lead YouTube account that is tailored to engage a UK audience. Curate content to ensure key business messaging is shared with relevant audiences i.e. Studios, DTG, DCP, TDS, DDI etc.

Project management and delivery (inc. post campaign analysis) across key initiatives e.g. Disney Princess positioning; Mickey In Real Life, Toy Story 30th Anniversary; audience-relevant support for theatrical and Disney+ releases etc.

Provide support and guidance for YouTube channel managers, advise on creative and oversee content delivery

Work with YouTube to ensure we are maximising our opportunity to  effectively reach and engage our target audiences on the platform

Keep teams updated on the latest platform developments, formats, testing opportunities, trends and innovations with the aim of improving content performance.

Ensure that YouTube teams are using analytic tools, dashboards and processes to enable the reporting and assessment of campaign and account success.

Monitor the health of EMEA YouTube channels and deliver insightful post campaign analysis reports (PCAs)

Communicate and implement YouTube & Creator governance guidelines and best practice as outlined by the Social Media Director.

Encourage collaboration by inspiring teams with shared examples of success and best-in-class content from across the business.

Oversee the delivery of PCAs for campaigns and franchise initiatives outlining learnings and setting benchmarks to determine success.

Use insights to inform and recommend new opportunities and ways of working that will improve and grow the TWDC social offering.

Provide support and deputise for the Social Media Director when required.

Act as an internal ambassador for the Cross Company social media team, communicating areas in which we can offer support and assistance when appropriate.

Creator & Influencer Activity

UK lead for all influencer and creator activity in the market.

Work closely with legal, compliance and procurement to expand the transparency agreements we have with agencies and maintain the UK influencer database.

Make sure standards and practices are up to date and upheld and evolve as required. Evolve and maintain the Influencer Best Practice guidelines and roll-out across EMEA.

Keep up to date on key industry issues to ensure TWDC retains it’s best in class status at creator engagement and management.

Ensure Creator activity is measured and assessed against benchmarks and KPIs to enable success measurement

Cross-Company Support

Work with markets and lines of business to gather insights and share knowledge to ensure that teams are learning from each other and any performance issues are identified and addressed with teams.

Point-person for YouTube across UK LOBs & EMEA markets offering guidance, best practice advice, support and advocating for their needs across all accounts

Support TWDC lines of business to provide consultation and support for pan-regional YouTube activity, ensuring content is relevant and localisable across EMEA handles, whilst meeting wider business objectives/goals

Encourage innovation by inspiring teams with shared examples of success and best-in-class content from across the business.

Team Management

Manage and nurture the dedicated YouTube team: 1 x Manager (DCP-focussed) 2 x Supervisors; 1 x senior analyst; 1 x freelance producer to ensure they remain motivated and driven to deliver against objectives.

Identify and address areas for development and set clear targets for them to deliver against.

Ensure that the team is set up for success by establishing clear and efficient processes

Communicate any areas for celebration or concern with the Social Media Director to ensure team members are aware of expectations and have clear and honest feedback on an ongoing basis.

Areas of Accountability

Accountable to the Director, Social Media, UK & EMEA

Responsible for the growth and performance of UK and EMEA YouTube accounts and activity

Responsible for ensuring quality and relevance of YouTube content

Keeps abreast of the evolving digital landscape and shares knowledge and guidance to further develop the YouTube expertise of the broader team

Works with the Director, Social Media UK & EMEA to ensure all projects come in within the approved LOB budget, achieve/ exceed benchmarks and are delivered on time.

Effective and efficient budget management including ensuring all payments to external vendors are managed appropriately

Use insights to inform and recommend new opportunities and ways of working that will improve and grow the TWDC YouTube offering.

Skills, Experience and Professional Qualifications Required

Significant experience working in social media with YouTube or in a relevant social media-focussed role (client and/or agency)

Considerable experience working with Creators, influencers or talent to deliver social or YouTube content

Strong digital marketing capabilities and implementation skills

Strong interest in all aspects of social media and digital marketing (content, platforms, creators etc)

Data and process driven with an aptitude to constantly identify, evolve and develop additional skills

Leads by example

Ability to adapt quickly, manage stakeholder needs across a complex matrix organisation

Exceptional leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative approach to working with multiple stakeholders that encourages trust and buy-in and drives results

Confident and assertive while being diplomatic and tactful

Resourceful and pro-active – can resolve conflict & look for solutions and information in creative ways

Inspirational, team player who can continue to motivate and influence others whilst under pressure

Strong negotiating and influencing skills to sell in ideas, concepts and gain trust of senior stakeholders

Adaptable and flexible (with working hours, travel, getting things done) – a problem solver

Interested in trends, new initiatives, and staying one step ahead of the competition

Experience of working with Content Management Systems (native and third party)

Experience of working with both paid and organic Marketing/ Social Media/ YouTube campaigns

Experience of reporting and data analysis

Resourceful and pro-active in approach to questions - looks for solutions and information in creative ways

Strong editorial/ copywriting skills and an ability to identify and ideate strong creative concepts

Team player, problem solver, solutions oriented, and creative thinker

Results oriented – focused on meeting and exceeding established KPIs and prioritising to ensure projects are kept on track

Strong people management skills

Additional Information

UK based, but will require coordination and communication with colleagues across EMEA and US offices, requiring flexibility to accommodate out of hours meetings in these time zones.

The Perks

25 days annual leave

Private medical insurance & dental care

Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free

Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing

Disney+ Subscription

Excellent parental and guardian leave

Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. We are committed to building a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

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About The Walt Disney Company (EMEA):

Disney EMEA aims to drive growth, innovation and brand affinity across an extremely diverse collection of countries with a team of over 6,000 employees operating in 59 markets with offices in 29 countries.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with The Walt Disney Company Limited, which is part of a business we call The Walt Disney Company (EMEA).

The Walt Disney Company Limited is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

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