Director – Programming, Shudder

AMC Networks is hiring a Director of Programming for Shudder, based in New York, NY. This role sits within the Films Group and is responsible for the full programming pipeline on Shudder, the horror-focused streaming platform, covering everything from film library acquisitions and single-picture licenses to creative development on original series. It suits a programmer, acquisitions executive, or development professional with deep roots in horror, genre cinema, or streaming content curation.

About the Role

The Director of Programming, Shudder works across the content lifecycle, from identifying curatorial verticals and originating programming ideas to administering creative notes on scripts, outlines, and cuts for current series. Day-to-day, this person is the connective tissue between production, marketing, business affairs, and press, keeping Shudder projects moving through the pipeline while managing relationships with filmmakers, showrunners, and producing partners. The role carries real budget responsibility and involves direct management of junior and administrative level executives.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and curate programming opportunities across horror feature film and episodic television, originating concepts for promotional and editorial verticals on the platform.
• Negotiate deals for film libraries and single-picture licenses as part of the streaming platform programming and content acquisition strategy.
• Deliver creative notes to showrunners, writers, and producers on outlines, scripts, and cuts for series in production and development.
• Serve as the primary liaison to Marketing, Press, Standards and Practices, Research, and Business Affairs on all Shudder projects.
• Partner on the creation of marketing materials including one-sheets, trailers, direct mailings, and on-platform promotional assets.
• Track emerging creators and future showrunners in the genre space, actively building relationships with writers, directors, actors, and producers.

What You Bring

• 7 to 10 years of professional experience in film festival programming, streaming platform programming, content acquisition, film criticism, or media producing.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating and selecting films for festivals, platforms, or distribution, with strong analytical skills in artistic quality and audience engagement.
• Familiarity with the horror and genre cinema landscape, including independent film distribution and the acquisitions market.
• Experience collaborating across creative and editorial teams in a streaming or broadcast environment.
• A bachelor’s degree is required; no prior management experience is required, though the role does carry direct reports.

Why This Role

AMC Networks operates one of the more distinctive portfolios in the streaming space, and Shudder has built a genuine reputation within the horror community as a curatorial platform, not just a content aggregator. The Director of Programming, Shudder role carries meaningful creative authority at a company with active original production through AMC Studios. The base compensation range for this position is $120,000 to $135,000, commensurate with experience, with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, tuition reimbursement, and paid parental leave.

Apply now for the Director of Programming, Shudder position at AMC Networks and bring your genre expertise to one of the few streaming platforms built entirely around a devoted fan community.