Manager, Production Engineering

Company Description

VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

Job Description

Versant Media is looking for a talented individual to become the Manager of Production Technology Support for Versant Media Operations and Technology (O&T), based in Englewood Cliffs, NJ and New York, NY. Versant O&T supports Enterprise Technology, Broadcast, and Production systems across Versant Media globally. The Manager of Production Technology Support balances day-to-day operations, such as management of a dynamic team, providing best-in-class live television production support for Versant, with forward-looking planning and execution around live television production technology strategy, process methodology, architecture, and collaboration with cross-functional business teams and partners. This position will have direct management of the New Jersey and New York-based teams supporting live television production control rooms, studios, and related equipment for all Versant Properties.

Responsibilities;

• Team Leadership Build and maintain a strong support engineering team.
• Maintain team schedules that allow for optimal facility and production coverage including meeting project deadlines and major events.
• Maintain group documentation including but not limited to task tracking, reoccurring maintenance schedules, and upcoming event calendars.
• Maintain reoccurring training and knowledge share resources keeping the team up to date Provide regular employee feedback and performance reviews.
• Develop partnerships across Versant Engineering teams with cross-facility support and engagement.
• Maintain clear communication with leadership on all issues and task the engineering team is actively working on. 
• Maintain inventory supply levels to prevent team slowdowns that lead to on-air impacts,must have previous experience with inventory management using a database/automation to track supply levels.
• Develop and maintain standard disaster recovery procedures and drills across various situations.
• Television Production Technology Support and Maintenance
• Assume responsibility for the technical performance of Studios, Control Rooms and associated systems for the Midtown Manhattan office.
• Provide around-the-clock technical support and maintain a complex broadcast production environment consisting of multiple studios and production control rooms.
• Track and resolve on/off air reliability tickets as well as communicate with leadership on the status.
• Consistently track and maintain JIRA support instance.
• Monitor and oversee operational readiness of current facilities, maintaining in-depth understanding of all relevant technical systems.
• Coordinate the activities of teams involved in the maintenance, support, deployment, and configuration of broadcast equipment. Attend project meetings to ensure the support teams are engaged and proper resources are assigned to the project life cycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Film Production, Broadcasting, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related fields, or equivalent work experience. Knowledge of SMPTE 2110 standards.
• 5+ years of recent experience supporting live, television production environments.
• 2+ years of management or supervisory experience, including providing performance feedback.
• Experience with Evertz products, including control systems such as Magnum, EXE Routers, SDVN, VUE, VIP, and more.
• Experience with SONY Production Switchers, Studio Cameras, and other Studio systems.
• Experience with audio systems: Calrec, LAWO, Pro Tools, RTS/Bosch/ClearCom Intercoms, ENCO.
• Experience with VizRT, Ross, and Chyron.
• Experience with Front of House, audience Public Address, and Actors’ Call systems.
• Experience with Transmission, Fiber, and Encode/Decode Distribution and Transport Systems. Experience with Clo