Director, Production Technology Support

  • Full-time
  • Business Segment: Operations & Technology

Company Description

We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Here you can be your authentic self. As a company uniquely positioned to educate, entertain and empower through our platforms, Comcast NBCUniversal stands for including everyone. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, coupled with our Corporate Social Responsibility work, is informed by our employees, audiences, park guests and the communities in which we live. We strive to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where our employees feel supported, embraced and heard. Together, we’ll continue to create and deliver content that reflects the current and ever-changing face of the world.

Job Description

NBCUniversal is looking for a talented individual to become the Director of Production Technology Support for NBCU Operations and Technology (O&T) based onsite at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York. O&T supports Enterprise Technology, Broadcast, and Production systems across NBCU globally.

The Director of Production Technology Support is responsible for managing day-to-day operations and leading a dynamic team that provides top-tier live television production support for NBCU. This role involves forward-looking planning and execution in live television production technology strategy, process methodology, architecture, and collaboration with cross-functional business leaders and partners. The position oversees New York-based teams that support live television production control rooms, studios, and related equipment at the 30 Rockefeller Complex and remote data centers.

Additionally, this role holds secondary responsibility for production facilities in New Jersey, working closely with engineering teams to ensure consistency and compatibility across channels. The Director will also provide backup and redundancy for broadcast operations during emergencies or disruptions, maintaining regular communication with engineering leadership in New Jersey to share information, resources, and feedback. The teams under this role consist of studio and control room maintenance engineers, support specialists, and reliability engineers.

Responsibilities:

Team Leadership:

  • Cultivate and sustain a robust engineering team with a balanced mix of managerial support, innovative support and system engineers both locally in NY and remote.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to employees.
  • Foster collaborative partnerships across NBCU engineering teams, promoting cross-facility support and engagement.
  • Oversee and manage the operational budgets for your team and clients.
  • Manage projects against the capital budget, maintaining metrics and deliverables, and providing regular reports on progress.
  • Create and maintain a best-in-class support schedule to cover a 24/7 on air environment.

Capital Projects and Strategy:

  • Collaborate with leadership and operational clients to formulate both short-term and long-term strategic technology plans and budgets.
  • Balance local project initiatives with enterprise-wide goals, striving to align strategies and create synergies across all NBCU locations.
  • Assign project tasks to team members with clear and concise direction.
  • Oversee ongoing projects, managing budgets, timelines, application commissioning, and training. Ensure thorough documentation of applications.
  • Engage in projects at other NBCU sites in LA, Washington, Denver, Miami, and international locations as needed.

Client Management:

  • Lead all support aspects and serve as the primary client interface, collaborating with operations teams, clients, and executive management.
  • Monitor timelines, manage priorities and schedules, and set clear client expectations.
  • Gather technical requirements, provide effective solutions, and ensure resources are allocated to meet required timelines.
  • Report on project deliverables and timelines and establish proper reporting standards.

Monitoring and Security:

  • Collaborate closely with the NBCU cyber security team to build repeatable systems with security best practices
  • Focus heavily on standard security logging and reporting of all systems
  • Build out enterprise-wide monitoring systems with automated alerting and dashboarding interfaces for easy troubleshooting

Television Production Technology Support and Maintenance:

  • Deliver a 24/7 technical support operation to uphold a sophisticated broadcast production ecosystem spanning numerous studios, production control rooms, and remote sites.
  • Execute system-wide upgrades during overnight and weekend maintenance windows.
  • Vigilantly monitor and ensure operational readiness of existing facilities, maintaining comprehensive knowledge of all pertinent technical infrastructure.
  • Enhance system designs through insights gained from support incidents.
  • Foster close collaboration with Production Operations management and key personnel to evaluate the facility's capacity to meet service demands amidst a dynamic event schedule.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Film Production, Broadcasting, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field preferred
  • 10+ years of hands-on experience in infrastructure management and industry project management
  • Experience with managing a large CMS deployment and automated show workflows
  • Proficiency in production equipment and systems, such as cameras, switchers, routers, encoders, decoders, transmitters, receivers, etc
  • Familiarity with IP-based production technologies, such as SMPTE 2110, AES67, NDI, etc.
  • Experience managing people, including proficiency in performance evaluation, hiring, and disciplinary procedures. (experience with represented employees, preferred)
  • Experience in vendor relations
  • Flexibility to work evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays with short notice, depending on production schedules
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
  • Willingness to travel between NY and NJ as needed        
  • Willingness to travel as required for business needs

Desired Characteristics:

Collaboration and Technical Communication:

  • Strong customer service skills and ability to maintain professionalism in all interactions.
  • Ability to collaborate closely with clients at local facilities and peers across the business to ensure cohesive project execution.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, along with the ability to effectively present to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and projects efficiently.

Proven Leadership Skills:

  • Ability to provide clear and decisive direction while being adaptable and prepared to pivot when necessary.
  • Ability to inspire and motivate your team, maintaining enthusiasm and leadership both during planned activities and when responding to unexpected changes.
  • Ability to exhibit a high tolerance for stress, work effectively with others, and maintain a supportive and encouraging attitude towards all colleagues.

Technology Expertise and Ownership:

  • Extensive expertise with a wide range of technologies, including television production and transmission technologies, storage/asset management systems, EVS Playout, VizRT and Ross Graphic systems and automation/development and monitoring tools.
  • Proficiency in SMPTE 2110 standards and demonstrated extensive experience in Evertz implementation and deployment.
  • Ability to stay abreast of industry advancements, continuously adapting to emerging technologies.
  • Commitment to building and sustaining a stable, high-performance technical environment.
  • Ability to embrace your role as the ultimate responsible party and senior subject matter expert for technology, ensuring excellence and reliability.

Additional Requirements:

  • Required On-Site: This position is required to be performed full-time from an NBCUniversal-designated worksite.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website.

Salary range: $140,000 - $175,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible)

We are accepting applications for this position on an ongoing basis.

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision.

NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. 

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