Strategy & Corporate Development Manager in London

Location: London, United Kingdom

Reports to: Director of Strategy

Department: Strategy & Corporate Development

Job Grade: M

Department Description

Strategy & Corporate Development will play a central role in shaping Channel 4’s long‑term direction and future business model in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Working closely with the CEO, Executive Committee and Board, the function defines and delivers a bold corporate strategy that protects Channel 4’s public service remit while driving sustainable growth, commercial innovation and digital leadership. Operating at the intersection of strategy, partnerships and investment, this function will provide rigorous insight and executional discipline. It will lead the development of Channel 4’s corporate strategy and ten‑year vision, originate strategic partnerships, innovation initiatives and corporate development activity to future‑proof the organisation.

Job Purpose

The Strategy & Corporate Development Manager will help shape Channel 4’s long‑term strategy and assess major strategic, commercial and growth opportunities. This highly analytical and commercially focused role sits at the centre of Channel 4’s strategic decision‑making. The role will support the development of Channel 4’s future direction, help the business respond to major market changes, and evaluate opportunities including strategic partnerships, joint ventures, investments, commercial alliances and new business initiatives.

The successful candidate will lead workstreams, structure complex problems, build financial and commercial analysis, and turn insight into clear recommendations for senior leaders. They will work closely with the Director of Strategy, the Director of Corporate Development and teams across Finance, Ad Sales, Product, Distribution, Content, Marketing and Technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic projects from concept through to delivery, working independently or with support from the wider team.
• Support the development of Channel 4’s long‑term strategy and strategic responses to major market changes, including competitor activity, M&A, platform developments and shifts in audience or advertiser behaviour.
• Assess strategic and commercial opportunities, including partnerships, joint ventures, investments, commercial alliances and new business initiatives.
• Build business cases, financial models, scenarios and sensitivity analysis to evaluate strategic, commercial and operational options.
• Use data, business modelling and strategic frameworks to develop clear recommendations for senior decision‑makers.
• Analyse market trends and Channel 4’s competitive position across broadcast, VoD, streaming, digital platforms, production and the wider media landscape.
• Coordinate input from internal teams and external advisors, supporting due diligence‑style analysis and keeping complex projects moving at pace.
• Prepare high‑quality papers and presentations for senior stakeholders, including ExCo and Board audiences.
• Build strong relationships across the business and with relevant external partners, advisors and industry contacts.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to structure complex or ambiguous issues.
• Excellent financial modelling, business case development and commercial analysis capability.
• Ability to source, interpret and present data clearly, including financial, viewing, market and competitor analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce high‑quality PowerPoint presentations and senior‑level papers.
• Experience managing complex projects and multiple workstreams at pace.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders and work effectively across teams.
• Good judgement, attention to detail, intellectual curiosity and comfort working with incomplete information.
• Experience in strategy, corporate development, commercial strategy, business development, consulting, investment banking or M&A, with exposure to partnerships, joint ventures or investment opportunities.

Desirable Experience & Skills

• Experience in media, entertainment, broadcasting, streaming, digital platforms, advertising‑funded businesses, content distribution or platform partnerships.
• Experience working with ad sales, trading, commercial strategy, revenue modelling.
• Understanding of streaming economics, content rights, licensing and distribution.
• Experience using data and visualisation tools such as Tableau, Power BI, SQL or similar tools.

Benefits

• Private medical insurance
• Free Virtual GP access for employees
• Free female health hormone test each year
• Free Tastecard membership
• Access to financial wellbeing resources
• Discounted gym memberships
• Pension
• Life assurance
• Income protection
• Holiday purchase

Hybrid Working

From September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week. Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high‑performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days. Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. All our offices are open five days a week.

Equal Opportunities and Legal Compliance

Channel 4’s purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK. We are only able to deliver on this remit by having a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background and lived experience. As an employer we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Disability Confident Scheme: Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and has also maintained the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension’s Disability Confident scheme – Level 3: Leader. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, we aim to offer an interview to all candidates who have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long‑term condition and who meet the essential criteria for an advertised job. If you wish your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please select yes when completing the application questions.

Care Leaver Friendly Employer: Channel 4 is a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. By signing the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopting its principles, we are supporting an immensely talented yet often under‑served and under‑represented community of young people/adults. We commit to offering an interview (and constructive feedback) to applicants who identify as care experienced and meet the essential criteria for the role as outlined in the job description. Applicants should indicate if they wish to apply under our Care Leaver Scheme by selecting the option on the application form.

Workplace Adjustments: We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field when applying for a job and support whilst employed to perform to the best of their ability and develop their careers. If you have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long‑term condition and require any adjustments, additional support or alternative arrangements during the recruitment and wish to discuss this confidentially, please let us know.