Manager, Distribution Operations - Versant

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.

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.
• Data Analytics & Reporting
  • Conduct advanced data analysis to support revenue recognition and risk assessment.
  • Provide detailed subscriber metrics and landscape reports for internal and partner use.
  • Ensure distributor usage data flowing through accurately and in a timely fashion
  • Work with ad sales and research teams to effectuate measurement and monetization strategies
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Lead initiatives to resolve issues affecting signal delivery, revenue, and compliance.
  • Collaborate with O&T during software updates to prevent service disruptions.
  • Coordinate with internal teams and distribution partners to clean up revenue aging records and resolve billing discrepancies.
  • Collaborate with the Partner Management and Brand Marketing teams to develop, prepare and execute “Keep Versant Media” campaigns in advance of and during deal renewals.

• College degree required with an emphasis in engineering or business highly preferred.
• 3+ years of experience working in media and entertainment, with a focus on distribution operations.

Desired Characteristics:

• Strong knowledge of the media ecosystem, platforms, distribution and advertising functionality and operations.
• Strategic thinker and technical leader with the business acumen to shape a world-class distribution organization.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to best represent Versant’s operations needs to a wide range of partners and internal leaders and stakeholders.
• Well organized and detail oriented.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to synthesize and communicate complicated technical and operational needs clearly to senior leadership.

Additional Requirements: 

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week. Subject to change based on Manager discussion or business need

• This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website.

Salary range: $75,000 - $100,000 (bonus eligible)

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

Although you'll be hired as an NBCU employee, your employment and the responsibilities associated with this job likely will transition to Versant in the future. By joining at this pivotal time, you'll be a part of this exciting company as it takes shape.