Head of Shorts

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT CHANGING LIVES PRODUCTIONS:

Changing Lives Productions is the in-house video production company of Dhar Mann Studios, the #1 creator of scripted positive content online. With over 163 million followers and 45+ billion views across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, our videos receive more than 1 billion views each month.

We produce several hours of original content weekly with messages of compassion, kindness, and altruism that resonate with viewers of all ages. Our stories tackle real-life challenges and deliver powerful life lessons that resonate with global audiences.

Founded by Dhar Mann, named the “Moral Philosopher of YouTube” by The New York Times, a Time Top 100 Creator, and ranked #2 on Forbes’ 2025 Top Creators list—our founding principle is simple but ambitious: We’re not just telling stories. We’re changing lives.

BIG PICTURE:

We are looking for a Head of Short Form to own and grow the entire short-form content division at Changing Lives Productions. This is a hands-on creative and business leadership role responsible for developing repeatable, high-performing formats, building and leading the team, establishing efficient production systems, and delivering results across audience growth, revenue, costs, and profitability. The right leader can create compelling content and build a sustainable business around it, while partnering across the company to support broader priorities.

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME:

• Own the short-form division’s strategy, operating plan, goals, performance, and day-to-day execution.
• Develop, test, refine, and scale original short-form formats aligned with our brand and audiences across TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram/Facebook Reels, and emerging platforms.
• •  Lead creative development from hooks, scripts, and concepts through casting, directing, shooting, editing, publishing, and performance optimization; step in hands-on when needed. 
• Hire, coach, develop, and manage a high-performing team; clarify roles, set expectations, provide feedback, and hold the team accountable for quality and results.
• Build reliable production systems, staffing plans, schedules, budgets, post-production workflows, and quality standards to consistently deliver strong content at pace
• Own the department’s P&L, including revenue opportunities, production and personnel costs, budgets, forecasts, profitability, and decisions that improve financial performance.
• Use creative testing, content analytics, audience insights, and cost-per-output data to make decisions and improve performance over time.
• Partner with Brand Partnerships and other departments to develop compelling branded concepts, realistic view projections, accurate budgets, executable production plans, and dependable on-time delivery.
• Identify creator collaborations, distribution opportunities, and new revenue-generating formats that support short-form growth and the broader business.
• Communicate priorities, tradeoffs, performance, financial results, and operational needs clearly to company leadership.

WHAT YOU HAVE:

• Proven experience leading short-form or digital video content, including hands-on concept development, directing/producing, and post-production.
• A track record of developing formats that connect with audiences, using testing and performance data to demonstrate results rather than relying solely on viral one-offs.
• Experience hiring and leading creative/production teams, building accountability, and improving team performance.
• Strong command of production planning, resource allocation, budgets, schedules, and efficient delivery across multiple simultaneous projects.
• Ability to manage a department-level budget and make informed decisions about revenue, cost, and profitability; direct P&L ownership strongly preferred.
• Experience working with brand, sales, or commercial stakeholders to turn creative briefs into realistic, budgeted deliverables.
• Knowledge of TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels platform formats, audiences, creative standards, and distribution practices.
• Strong judgment, adaptability, collaboration, communication, and openness to feedback in a fast-paced studio environment.

WHO OVERSEES YOU:

Reports to the designated creative/executive leader at Changing Lives Productions (final reporting relationship to be confirmed).

WHO YOU OVERSEE:

Leads the Short Form team, including current roles such as Shorts Director, Personal Content Associate, and Social Media Associate, with future staffing determined by department needs and approved budgets.

WHERE IT ALL GOES DOWN:

Our studio in Burbank, CA.

WHEN THE MAGIC HAPPENS:

Schedule varies with production and business needs; expected availability and classification will be confirmed before posting.