Category Manager - Commissioning

About Pocket FM

With 100+ bn minutes streamed annually, 120 minutes of daily average listening time, and 6+ billion total audio plays on our platform, Pocket FM is on a mission to build the world’s largest AI-powered audio streaming platform. Rapid growth in the US and India, with strong momentum in Europe and LATAM. Pocket TV is a mobile-first platform revolutionizing how stories are consumed. Created by Pocket FM Corp., Pocket TV delivers high-impact, short-form vertical video micro-dramas — rich, emotionally engaging stories. Built on storytelling DNA, Pocket TV is expanding rapidly in India and is seeking a creative powerhouse to lead its content vision.

Position Overview:

Category Manager – Commissioning

You will work with program managers responsible for the commissioning process and actively explore how AI can be leveraged to make sharper commissioning decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Category Strategy & Commissioning Planning:

• Lead the overall commissioning roadmap for your assigned content category.
• Identify content white spaces based on audience demand, consumption trends, and internal performance insights.
• Build a strategic slate of commissioned shows across genres and formats in alignment with business goals and creative vision.
• Develop a repeatable commissioning process through experimentation, post-mortem analysis, and learning loops.

2. Commissioning Intelligence & Insights:

• Deep-dive into audience behavior, show analytics, and market trends to uncover what stories resonate and where the next hits will come from.
• Integrate AI-based tools into the commissioning lifecycle – from script review and concept testing to pilot performance prediction.

3. Content Supply & Licensing Collaboration:

• Coordinate with the licensing and content partnerships teams to tap into existing IP, creator pools, and scalable supply pipelines.
• Maintain a strong pulse on content supply platforms.

4. Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with content and growth teams to ensure commissioned shows are aligned for success from launch.
• Work with internal tools and tech teams to improve commissioning workflow and creator onboarding journeys.

5. Team Leadership & Project Management:

• Lead and mentor a team of program managers driving show commissioning end-to-end.
• Set category-specific commissioning OKRs, manage slate timelines, and drive operational excellence across the team.

6. Innovation & Creative Thinking:

• Stay ahead of global audio content trends, experimental formats, and breakthrough storytelling models.
• Encourage bold, high-reward bets while maintaining a strong editorial and audience lens.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, learning, and storytelling excellence.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Educational Background: Graduation from a top-tier university, MBA preferred but not mandatory
• Experience: 3–7 years of experience in category management, content strategy, experience in media, OTT, or entertainment industries is helpful but not mandatory
• Strong ability to blend data-driven thinking with creative intuition.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong understanding of content ecosystems, creator networks, and user behavior.
• Comfortable leading teams and managing multiple pipelines simultaneously.
• Exposure to AI-based tools in media, content scoring, or consumer analytics.
• Interest in storytelling formats like fiction audio, web series, or long-form narrative content.

Pocket FM | LinkedIn

Pocket FM | 465,769 followers on LinkedIn. Unheard, untold and unique audio series #pocketfulofjoy | Founded in 2018 with a bold vision, Pocket FM set out to revolutionize the entertainment landscape by pioneering the audio series category. Our unique episodic style has ignited a binge-listening revolution, with users spending an average of 115 minutes daily on the platform. Our thriving community of over 200 million listeners streams over 6.5 billion minutes every month.

You can get more updates, insights and everything behind the scenes at Pocket FM here - https://xtra.pocketfm.com/