YouTube Strategist & Retention Lead

Hammer Media is the digital media company behind Caleb Hammer and his YouTube channels, including the hit show Financial Audit. In just three years the company has grown to over 3.5 million subscribers and 4 billion views, making Financial Audit one of the fastest‑growing personal‑finance shows on the internet. The team creates an ecosystem of financial‑literacy content that combines engaging media, real financial stories, and practical tools to help people improve their money lives.

About the Role

Hammer Media is looking for a YouTube Strategist & Retention Lead to maximize the performance of Financial Audit, a long‑form, unscripted YouTube series that blends interviews, reality‑TV storytelling, and personal finance. The role focuses on increasing audience retention, watch time, and overall channel growth by turning viewer‑behavior insights into repeatable strategies. You will work closely with producers, editors, thumbnail designers, and channel leadership to optimize every stage of the viewer journey—from title and thumbnail through the final seconds of each episode.

Responsibilities

• Analyze YouTube data (audience‑retention graphs, watch time, AVD, engagement metrics) to identify improvement opportunities.
• Review every published video and provide actionable feedback to producers and editors.
• Identify where viewers drop off and recommend changes to pacing, storytelling, editing, scripting, graphics, music, and structure.
• Develop best‑practice frameworks for hooks, intros, transitions, pattern interrupts, and end‑of‑video retention.
• Collaborate with editors throughout post‑production to maximize audience engagement.
• Analyze title and thumbnail performance.
• Build dashboards and recurring reports that highlight key performance metrics and insights.
• Present findings and recommendations to leadership and creative teams.
• Help establish repeatable frameworks and playbooks that improve performance across every channel.
• Stay current on YouTube algorithm changes, platform updates, and emerging best practices.

Qualifications

• Live and breathe YouTube content; experience growing YouTube channels or optimizing long‑form digital content.
• Deep understanding of YouTube Analytics and the metrics that drive channel growth.
• Strong ability to interpret retention curves and pinpoint why viewers leave.
• Proven skill in improving watch time and average view duration through data‑driven decisions.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Strong understanding of storytelling, pacing, editing, and audience psychology.
• Experience creating reports and communicating insights clearly to both creative and business stakeholders.
• Self‑starter who takes ownership and thrives in a fast‑paced environment.

Benefits

• In‑office team culture with locations in East Austin and Dallas; remote work also available.
• Stocked snack bar, catered lunches, and a collaborative, high‑energy environment.
• Unlimited PTO – trust‑based time off.
• 100 % coverage for employee health, dental, and vision.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Lunch stipend and quarterly team‑building events.
• Pet‑friendly offices.