Manager, Distribution Operations

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Job Description

Role Summary:

The Manager of Distribution Operations will report to the VP, Distribution Operations and be a key member of the team that, among other things, serves as a conduit and liaison to both internal O&T as well as external distribution partners and platforms (new and existing), clearly and confidently communicates operational needs and priorities internally and externally, assesses and evaluates operational costs during renewals, identifies and advises on AdTech opportunities with distribution partners and platforms, coordinates with O&T to ensure signal and asset delivery to distribution partners and platforms and helps O&T plan for and prioritize operational needs, launches and developments with distribution partners and platforms.

We are seeking a highly strategic, motivated and ambitious professional who has a team-first mentality and is capable of motivating and training more junior members of the team with a strong understanding of the evolving media distribution and advertising ecosystem as well as a strong, data-supported perspective as to where it’s headed.  We are looking for a leader with a competitive and winning mindset who is willing to roll up their sleeves while thriving in a fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment.

Essential Responsibilities of the Operations Team:

• Affiliate & System Operations
  • Oversee daily operations for MVPD/vMVPD systems, including launches and updates.
  • Operationalize deal terms and ensure compliance by providing business requirements and acting as a key stakeholder across traditional distribution, affiliate deals, FAST, and SVOD distribution.
  • Drive operational efficiencies, identifying and implementing better ways to execute processes.
  • Work closely with product and engineering teams to enhance technology solutions that drive efficiency and performance.
• Technical Signal Management
  • Coordinate with Engineering and affiliates on signal authorizations and technical needs.
  • Manage live feed authorizations and technical communications during special events (e.g., 5G transitions, solar outages).
  • Collaborate with third-party providers and legal teams on signal transport agreements.
• Contract & Compliance Oversight
  • Support contract negotiations with data analysis, assess and advise on launch and operations costs, review carriage compliance, and system updates.
  • Monitor post-deal compliance, including subscriber reporting, packaging, and carriage terms.
  • Maintain accurate contract data in the Affiliate Management Systems.
• Deal Support
  • Help inform and influence new media terms, including ad sales, product, data, operations, content windows/rights and authentication/commerce within broader deals, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
  • Cultivate & manage distributor relationships to garner support and influence partner roadmaps.
  • Ensure distribution initiatives are prioritized within cross-functional team roadmaps.