Vice President, 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 seeking a highly experienced and visionary VP, Production Engineering to lead the teams responsible for the technical backbone of our media operations. This is a critical leadership role that will oversee the development and technical support for all media systems, ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and scalability of content delivery across our live broadcast, digital streaming, and on-demand platforms.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader with a deep understanding of media technology and a proven track record of managing high-performing engineering teams in a fast-paced media environment.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Broadcast & On-Air Applications Lead the team that provides Tier 2 and Tier 3 technical support for all media operations, ensuring rapid and effective resolution of complex issues to maintain business continuity.
• Oversee the entire lifecycle from design and development to testing and maintenance of technology systems that support live broadcast, streaming, and on-air content delivery.
• Direct the technical support for media and production functions, including post-production workflows, content ingest, and digital asset management systems.
• Video Engineering & Streaming Platforms Lead the strategy, development, and support for all live and VOD streaming experiences, including web, mobile applications, and connected TV devices.
• Oversee the entire video pipeline, from encoding and transcoding to packaging and distribution, ensuring high-quality and low-latency delivery.
• Manage the technical relationship with content delivery networks (CDNs) and streaming vendors, optimizing performance and cost to deliver a world-class viewer experience.
• Direct the technical implementation of DRM, ad insertion, and analytics solutions for all digital video platforms.
• Production & Post-Production Support Oversee the technical support and development of media production, post-production, and content ingest systems.
• Lead the technical strategy and implementation of new workflows and technologies to enhance the efficiency and scalability of these core media functions.
• Implementation & Delivery Direct delivery systems to ensure content is distributed securely, reliably, and with minimal latency across broadcast and digital platforms.
• Implement standard processes to ensure consistency, compliance and efficiency across production environments.
• Develop and support technical processes and systems that facilitate the seamless delivery of broadcast content from our production facilities to end viewers.
• Strategic Leadership Provide strategic direction for the Production Engineering department, aligning technical initiatives with broader company goals for innovation and agility.
• Team Management Mentor, manage, and grow a team of skilled engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and accountability.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a seasoned media technology professional with a passion for innovation and a deep understanding of the complexities of broadcast and digital content delivery.

You are a strategic thinker who can not only manage daily operations but also plan for the future of our technical infrastructure. You thrive in a dynamic environment and have a reputation for building and leading teams that consistently deliver high-quality, reliable, and scalable solutions.

A seasoned leader in media technology, with comprehensive experience in broadcast and digital video engineering and a demonstrated ability to oversee large-scale, mission-critical media operations.

• Extensive experience in production, broadcast, and digital video engineering, with a strong focus on live and on-air environments as well as web