Manager, Production Operations, NBCU Local Chicago

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. 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.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Job Description

We are looking for a Manager, Production Operations, to join the Technology & Operations team in Chicago, supporting WMAQ, WSNS and Digital Studio output. As the Manager, Production Operations, you will be primarily responsible for leading the team in delivering daily news studio production and managing the control rooms. You will also serve as a critical key engagement lead to other channel stakeholders including News, Field Operations, Creative and Programming, ensuring successful delivery of production services to these internal client groups. 

This role requires a leader who not only understands the technical and creative sides of production but can bring people together, foster trust, and help the entire operation grow stronger with each show.  

If you enjoy working with and are creative at scheduling people, are a highly organized leader with great communication skills, know how to build and lead high performance teams, are an expert in studio production with significant directing, have APC and tech management experience, understand VR and possess a clear vision to guarantee successful and reliable On-air productions at a network level, then we want to hear from you. 

Responsibilities 

• Responsible for overall technical execution and quality of all live productions. 
• Serve as the main operational bridge between News, Creative, Programming, Technology, and Studio Operations, ensuring constant alignment and early visibility into show needs and potential issues. 
• Partner daily with producers, EPs, and creative teams to understand editorial intent, spot challenges in advance, and coordinate solutions before they impact a live broadcast across technical and editorial teams to ensure productions run smoothly. 
• Lead, mentor, and grow the Studio Directors team, and partner with peers in the Operations management team in MOC and Newsgathering, creating a culture that prioritizes communication, accountability, and continuous improvement. 
• Maintain deep working knowledge of core control room and studio systems including: 
  • Audio boards 
  • Production switchers and routing 
  • Graphics workflows and XPression 
  • Intercom/IFB workflows 
  • Robotic cameras, prompters, APC/automation, AR/VR production systems
• Oversee studio lighting systems, including knowledge of lighting techniques and ETC lighting consoles. 
• Work proactively with News and Creative to test on-air elements, evaluate set/lighting/camera needs, and surface concerns early so they can be addressed before air. 
• Collaborate closely with Engineering and Technology to resolve issues, implement updates, and integrate new technologies into daily workflows. 
• Serve as the primary day-to-day partner for NBC, Telemundo, and Digital requests—ensuring clarity, follow-through, and operational consistency. 
• Manage union-represented staff with fairness, consistency, and strong leadership. 
• Lead hiring, onboarding, scheduling, performance feedback, and long-term staff development. 
• Support planning and execution of breaking news, specials, long-form productions, and major