Showrunner / Producer for YouTube Longform + Shorts

OVERVIEW We are looking for a YouTube growth strategist and producer to drive our YouTube channel end to end: someone who reads the algorithm and the trend-sphere as fluently as they run production, and who co-creates with us rather than just executing. For context, the face of our enterprise is an expert author with an upcoming book on Penguin Random House, and we're building a YouTube-first, platform-agnostic show to grow an audience and carry the launch. The book lane is pop-psychology in the James Clear / Mark Manson / Ryan Holiday register, and we want the YouTube to reflect that in a Veritasium / Michael Mackelvie / Daniel Priestley style: story-led, research-dense, contrarian, dry-witted, with a distinctive visual style. This is an ongoing monthly retainer, starting ASAP. You can subcontract editing or animation, or use AI to touch things up, so long as the end quality is top notch. We don't mind how the work gets done, as long as it's efficient and your bid is all-inclusive. ----- DETAILS - FORMAT We have a well established vision for the format, with each episode is to be one landscape longform that's deliberately designed and engineered to slice (what we are calling nested-doll scripting) - it should cut into roughly 5 short scene-clips and 25 vertical shorts, each with its own tightly-scripted hook and "bit" that still work within the overall longform story arc. We intend for this to deliver reach as premium longform AND as shorts / reels / TikTok. DETAILS - STYLE & IDENTITY The four production settings we want you to oversee and develop are (#2 is being outsourced): 1. Documentary-style openings in visually engaging / exclusive settings (Veritasium style) 2. Animated concept explainers (we are in the final stages of landing an animator for this separately) 3. Story and metaphor led data and research deep-dives (Michael Mackelvie style) 4. Studio pieces to camera, teaching off whiteboards and diagrams (Daniel Priestley style) 5. Some elements of live-scripted, reality-style grabs from coaching / psychology life (@AmalfiJets style) DETAILS - CONTENT SOURCE(S) A lot of the raw material already exists: a finished book and an active Substack. A core part of the job is adapting written source into video without losing the argument, plus running your own niche and trend research so we get ahead of the curve, not behind it. There should be recurring themes, characters and stories across episodes. We're building a Show, not one-off uploads. DETAILS - WORKFLOW Collaboration is key here - I set vision, you ideate, we agree on video shape; - I set key points, you script, we refine and sign off; - I record, you edit, we finalize with feedback; - I suggest title / thumb features, you create; - once ready, you upload and manage YT SEO ----- DELIVERABLES Per video (target: we are open to a new longform roughly anywhere from 1-4 weeks plus its cut-downs; propose the cadence your bid supports): - A researched idea shortlist from a trend and niche scan, for me to choose from - A co-written script in the show's voice and structure - 1 landscape longform, edited across the four textures - The short-form set: act-clips plus captioned, hook-first vertical shorts - Animated explainer segments and data-viz graphics as scripted - Thumbnails, titles and metadata; platform-ready exports (YouTube, IG, TikTok, Substack) - A simple content calendar, publishing or clean hand-off, and a light performance read to feed the next cycle ----- REQUIRED To be considered, you must have: - Proven end-to-end ownership of a creator or brand video pipeline: a portfolio of longform that performed AND the short-form cut-downs from it - Deep, current knowledge of the YouTube algorithm and backend (Studio analytics, retention / CTR / average view duration, search vs. browse vs. suggested), and a track record of finding and winning underserved topics and trends before they peak - A real story and writing sense: able to co-write in a defined voice, not just assemble footage - Editing craft for studio / talking-head and documentary material, with pacing that holds retention - Short-form packaging: hooks, captions, retention cuts, "bits" - Ability to deliver animated explainers and data-viz (in-house or subcontracted, cost included in your bid) - A reliable weekly-ish cadence, clear communication, and you managing any subcontractors under one all-in price PREFERRED - Book-to-video adaptation: turn written source (a chapter, a newsletter, a talk) into a tight script that keeps the argument and loses the jargon. Distillation, not narration - Tasteful AI video and gen tools (Runway, Sora, Midjourney, ElevenLabs) used to add motion graphics, diagrams, titles etc, plus cut cost and add polish - A documentary sensibility: shaping real, unscripted moments (interviews, live call recordings, on-location) into story, not just cutting scripted talking-head - Comedic timing and dry wit. The lane is playful and contrarian, not earnest. Humor that serves the point, never bits for their own sake - Track record in pop-psych / self-improvement / edutainment (Veritasium, Michael Mackelvie, Clear/Manson/Holiday audiences) - YouTube series / "Shows" strategy, SEO, thumbnail testing ----- APPLICATIONS Please send: - A short, specific note on why this show fits you. Skip the generic pitch - Portfolio links: at least one longform you produced AND any short-form cut-downs - Your all-in monthly retainer bid (including any subcontracted editing / animation and tool costs) and the output volume it buys - Your process in 3-4 lines: how you'd take one Substack post / book chapter / YT trend or gap to a published longform plus shorts - The core tools you work in (edit, motion, AI) To show you had the attention to detail we want and actually read this, start your reply with the word "PRESSURE." Applications that don't do so will be skipped