Director of Production Services

POSITION SUMMARY:

Twin Cities PBS ("TPT") is searching for a leader to serve as our Director of Production Services! This role ensures efficient operations of TPT production facilities and services, including management of a team of technicians, editors, videographers, scheduling and support staff. The Director of Production Services will report directly to the Chief Technology Officer and collaborate closely with TPT's Chief Content Officer, producers and production managers as well as external client representatives to ensure seamless production workflows across all channels and platforms. This position is required to work on-site and have scheduling flexibility as needed. Responsibilities include field and studio operations, post-production video and audio operations, field equipment organization, and ongoing direction and coaching of full- and part-time union-represented crew members. In addition to being responsible for working collaboratively with internal TPT clients the Director of Production Services oversees leasing and management of TPT's production services to and for external clients.

Hiring Salary: $120,000 to $150,000 annually (depending on qualifications)

Hybrid Work Environment: Candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the Twin Cities Metro area and report to onsite office a minimum of three days per week.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Production Operations (50% of time)

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of production facilities, including studios, control rooms, editing suites, and remote production units. This includes the need for occasional off-hours and weekend work as necessary.
• Manage and supervise technical production staff, scheduling staff, and overall technical operations on a project-specific basis for internal and external clients and within applicable union requirements.
• Ensure recordings, live shows and other technical products have proper engineering support to comply with PBS standards and FCC rules and regulations.
• Streamline production workflows and processes to maximize efficiency and output.
• Implement best practices and innovative solutions to enhance production capabilities.
• Supervise the scheduling, leasing, technical staffing and operations required to support internal and external television and media productions.
• Implement quality control measures and oversee compliance with industry guidelines.
• Advise CTO in matters of long and short-range equipment maintenance, acquisition, installation and deployment.
• Work regularly with Chief Content Officer and Content leadership team to ensure alignment in regard to content production needs. Collaborate with Content leadership team to ensure production needs and standards are aligned with content production requirements.
• Lead training and orientation for Production Services team.
• Address client requests and concerns and provide counsel and support on all technical and operational matters related to a production. Coordinate engineering requirements with the Engineering Department and interface with the engineering staff as needed.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends in broadcast and production.
• Foster strong communication and a collaborative working environment across departments, including editorial, content, finance, production management, programming, engineering, and marketing.
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to minimize disruptions and maintain continuity of operations, and anticipate problems and proactively control costs in the production of quality products for clients.
• Possess a good understanding of operating cameras, lighting, and editing.
• Supervise the Production Operations Manager.

Studio sales and Leasing (10% of time)

• Seek, secure and manage studio facilities leasing and production services contract with external clients, with a goal of maximizing revenue for TPT.
• Manages all arrangements for external clients leasing studio and crew.

Media Asset Management (20% of time)

• Guides Media Asset team to define and maintain a system to effectively manage all media production assets.
• Coordinates with engineers, producers, and other staff to maintain a standard file naming convention, file formats, and quality standards that meet TPT and PBS needs.
• Reports on relevant metrics to monitor efficiency and production output.
• Develops strategies for managing the digital asset repository including design of workflow, tracking, reporting, development of metadata, and classification standards.
• Leads, trains, and inspires the digital asset team so members continually grow their skills and develop their careers.
• Guides Media Asset Manager in developing outreach strategy and maintaining relationships with key members of management, asset creators and users.

Leadership & Communication (15% of time)

• Provide strong leadership and strategic direction to the production services team. Mentor, motivate, and develop a high-performing team to achieve departmental and organizational goals.
• Regularly and consistently communicates information and updates with internal and external clients, TPT leadership, staff and crew.
• Develop and manage department budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation, and optimize resource utilization to achieve cost efficiencies without compromising on quality.
• Provide annual and quarterly workplans to the CTO and serve as a strategic thought partner.
• Works to strengthen collaborative partnerships and achieve station goals with all internal and external partners.
• Cultivates a fun, engaging, and balanced work environment.
• Ensures all work is in accordance with TPT's highest standards, as well as all FCC regulations and other funder requirements as applicable.
• Models proactive, open and problem-solving communication with all internal and external partners.
• Able to comfortably navigate union requirements and in coordination with the Chief Technical Officer, Legal Counsel, and VP HR will successfully manage any grievances brought forward by union-represented staff.

Other duties as assigned (5% of time)

• Participate as an active member of the Production Team and the Department Leaders. Contribute to shared goals and collaborate with colleagues on achievement of priorities.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Experience

• 5-7 years combination of education and successful work experience may be considered, in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 7+ years of successful line producing, media production and resource management on large-scale projects, live and pre-recorded.
• 5 years of experience supervising staff in an organized environment and enforcement of labor agreements.

Preferred Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in relevant field.
• 10+ years of successful line producing, media production and resource management on large-scale projects.
• Proven successful experiences working with IBEW and NABET unions.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Deep understanding of broadcast production processes, including studio operations, field production, post-production workflows, transmission technologies, and live broadcasting.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire large teams, including production managers, technicians, engineers, and support staff. Strong coaching, mentoring, and team-building skills to foster a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic plans aligned with organizational goals.
• Familiarity with industry-standard broadcast equipment, software, and systems. Ability to evaluate and integrate new technologies to enhance production capabilities and stay ahead of industry trends.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address technical challenges, operational issues, and emergency situations effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively liaise with stakeholders across departments, including editorial, programming, engineering, and management.
• Experience in overseeing complex projects from conception to completion, including scheduling, resource allocation, risk management, and milestone achievement. Ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget constraints.
• Knowledge of broadcast and IP technologies.
• Strong computer skills: Microsoft Office Suite - Outlook, Word, Excel, OneDrive, Teams, the Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Creative Suite Software, WordPress, and other software programs
• Commitment to advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) priorities within the organization
• Ability to travel to locations in the metro area on a frequent basis. Occasional travel out of the state.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)