Job Description

The NBCUniversal Regional Sports Network in Chicago has a new opening for a Field Operations Technical Manager to guarantee the delivery of RSN and Chicago Sports live televised broadcast events.

NBC Universal Chicago is a unique Triopoly that supports NBC and Telemundo local news and regional Sports.

The position plays an important role as the key point of contact for technology, operations and production needs for the sports network. This role would suit someone with significant experience in managing large outside broadcast crews along with connectivity and broadcast systems in a live environment. The experienced applicant will already know that this is a high-pressure environment with long hours anticipated on game days.

The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background with expertise in multiple disciplines and a great understanding of the many moving pieces that are part of the production team for national televised sporting events. Team management along with experience as an Engineer in Charge would be an ideal background to support this application. Strong team leadership in day-to-day engagement with employees, third party manpower, outside broadcast truck vendors, and stadium facility staff is an essential element.

You will be the primary stakeholder to orchestrate an organized delivery of the technical and operational elements across all parties. You will be present at all events with clear objectives to achieve the production goals of the Executive Producer with both a watertight gameplan and backup plan on achieving this. The quality and standards expected by the network will be down to you to consistently deliver.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage field production operations and engineering on prime events
• Guarantee the delivery, connectivity, and transmission from all game events
• Liaison between event facility, sports teams, tech vendors, location support and freelance and full-time broadcast technicians.
• Diplomatic approach to dealing with key stakeholders on large scale broadcast events
• Primary POC for all game related production facilities
• Experience with location site surveys, documentation, knowledge transfer
• Technical expertise in video engineering, complex audio and coms systems and transmission hardware and signal flow.
• Ability to prioritize tasks relevant to production continuity for pre-game, post-game and during the game.
• Management and in depth understanding of multiple moving parts in a live sports production environment ie field, facility, truck, transmission and the local Chicago RSN Broadcast center
• Experience as an Engineer in Charge (EIC) on large scale events is highly desireable
• Hands on experience with fiber optics, microwaves, IP and video encoding is a definite plus.
• Work in sync with the Executive Producer and NBC engineering teams
• You will be an internal stakeholder who is comfortable working independently
• Significant attention to detail, coordination and planning is expected
• Partner and liaise with all clients & units to ensure a flawless execution of all events and contingencies.
• Lead and participate in key initiatives, implementing unified operational workflows, strategic planning and growth across all clients and business units.
• Partner with the Director of Operations and Director of Technology to capture emerging technologies and integrate its use in the operation.
• Create key relationships with external vendors and clients to maintain the production calendar.
• Serve all departments with a ‘how can we help accomplish this’ type of mentality as well as meeting regularly with the various stakeholder teams that the role supports
• Build relationships with the crew, help them to grow individually and provide them opportunities to show what they are capable of.
• Coordinate and prepare for special events or other challenges for multiple clients
• Coordinate efforts with the Directors of Operations and Technology to remove obstacles to achieving on- air results

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Minimum six years proven experience within a similar tech role such as an EIC or Sr Engineer
• Minimum of ten years’ experience in a live TV environment
• A technical qualification is preferred

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Interested candidates must submit a resume through nbcunicareers.com to be considered
• Must be willing to work in Chicago, IL
• Must have a flexible schedule with willingness to work overtime or any other time the job requires. This includes holidays, weekends, early mornings, late nights, or on short notice.
• Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States
• Must accept Solutions, NBCUniversal’s Dispute Resolution Program
• Required On-Site: This position is required to be performed full-time from an NBCUniversal-designated worksite

DESIRED:

• Demonstrable working knowledge of the sporting environment
• References that support the application
• Understanding of broadcast systems, signals, connectivity and signal flow
• Previous exposure to playing a lead role on sporting events
• Ability to communicate effectively and work well with people while under pressure
• Flexible approach to working hours
• A passion for national sports leagues and understanding of sporting calendars is essential

Additional Information

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. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access nbcunicareers.com as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations in the US by calling 1-818-777-4107 and in the UK by calling +44 2036185726.