Longtime Viacom Kids/Nickelodeon exec Sarah Levy has been appointed to the newly created role of chief operating officer for Viacom’s global entertainment group.

Effective immediately, Levy will report directly to Viacom president and CEO Bob Bakish and oversee operations and strategy for MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, Spike, CMT, TV Land, Logo and Viacom International Media Networks.

Across the networks, she will manage functions including digital, research, content and programming enterprises, distribution, finance, business and legal affairs, as well as human resources.

Levy moves into her new position after most recently serving as COO of Viacom Kids & Family Group, which was rebranded to Nickelodeon Group in November.

Prior to this, she was COO of Nickelodeon. Over an 18-year career at Viacom, Levy spearheaded the acquisition and development of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise and was instrumental in growing the Nickelodeon brand through consumer products, TV networks, ad sales and recreation.

Levy began her career at Viacom in 1998 as Nickelodeon’s director of business development.