Assistant Athletics Director, Broadcast & Technical Operations

Assistant Athletics Director, Broadcast & Technical Operations

Stanford's Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation ("DAPER") is the premier intercollegiate athletic program in the country. We are the proud Home of Champions and lead the nation with 138 NCAA championship titles. We support nearly 900 student-athletes who compete on 36 intercollegiate athletics teams and also support the university's physical education, recreation and wellness initiatives. Our dedicated staff embodies a culture of excellence, embraces our mission of scholar-athleticism and exemplifies a relentless championship spirit. Our actions and staff are guided by the core tenets of the Athletics Department culture, "The DAPER Way", which are: Embrace Scholar-Athleticism, Pursue and Revere Excellence, Lead with Courage, and Work Cohesively.

Are you ready to inspire champions? If yes, then this may be the right opportunity for you!

Stanford Athletics is seeking an Assistant Athletics Director, Broadcast & Technical Operations who will lead the efforts in delivering a first-class television broadcast experience while overseeing the day-to-day technical operations (video boards, audio systems, replay, coaches film). The successful individual will be a self-motivated, team-oriented, organized, problem solver that can orchestrate live event production(s). The Assistant Athletics Director, Broadcast & Technical Operations will coordinate and lead all live event video broadcasts of Stanford Athletics home events and assist with in-game production elements. The position will collaborate with an extensive group of internal and external stakeholders, including facility and operations, marketing, communications, fan experience, ESPN, the ACC, campus organizations, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure the best event viewing experience possible. The position will be responsible for the design, development, execution and implementation of events as well as the staffing and training of the broadcast production room and in-venue video boards. Staffing will include a mix of full-time and part-time staff that will work directly with the ACC and ESPN. Reporting to the Associate Athletics Director, Operations and Events, position will oversee a staff of eight (8), to start, along with numerous, rotating contingent staff members.

Duties and Responsibilities

Broadcast Operations

• Collaborate with a diverse team of campus staff, consultants, and external partners on the design, integration, and execution of the department's new Production Control Room
• Work closely with the ACC and ESPN in terms of requirements, event schedules, and production needs in order to meet desired outcomes
• Oversee the production of live event broadcasts for Stanford over various platforms, including linear, digital, and in-venue displays
• Coordinate and supervise training and development of full and part-time staff in the proper control room and production techniques
• Oversee scheduling and part-time staff for broadcasting and videoboard staffing at events
• Assist in identifying, recruiting, developing, training, and scheduling talent for each broadcast
• Develop and lead a team of full-time and part-time broadcast professionals, engineers, and game-day operators/freelancers to operate and work all events; conduct ongoing reviews of budgeting and staffing plans, oversee recruiting, training, supervising, and evaluating departmental personnel and service providers
• Maintain technical knowledge needed to execute broadcasts to the specifications of conference and department partners
• Ensure all equipment is ready and events are covered through scheduling and strong communication
• Ability to serve in any roles within the production room if needed, including producer and director

Video Board Production

• Serve as the main point of contact with the production team in planning, strategizing, and executing the production of live events using venue video boards and online streams as well as overall contract deliverables
• Ensure video boards are maintained and operational at all times for athletics events
• Assist with campus events, venue rentals, local and national television broadcasts in their broadcasts and production of events
• Co-lead on any physical video board needs, acquisitions, and replacements with our facilities and capital projects teams
• Oversee staffing needs to maintain and operate videoboards effectively

Financial and Asset Management

• Oversight of the financial budget for daily operations, equipment, staffing, and maintenance
• Follow campus and department procurement guidelines using transparent means and established financial parameters
• Develop an equipment inventory and life cycle replacement plan for all production room and video board-related assets, especially capital purchases
• Assist in budget development both on an annual and long-term basis, including space and large item replacements and end-of-life needs
• Oversee all assets related to venue video boards and scoreboards in our athletic facilities as well as in the production control room.

Administrative

• Understand department vision and goals and be able to match with production elements and needs of the department to present the student-athletes, programs, department, campus, and conference in the best possible manner
• Develop policies, procedures, and protocols reflecting industry best practices that best strategically position Stanford for success in live broadcasts and video board production
• Responsible for hiring, training, and managing direct reports
• Keep up to date with the current technological environment and trends that can impact operations and anticipate needs for the department in the short and long term on related items
• Serve as point person for technical operations and capital projects within athletic facilities (video boards and video control room and related items)
• Assist with the payroll submission and reconciliation for event staffing
• Participate in training and development programs to stay abreast of the latest in technological advances, especially related to venue and broadcast operations
• Represent the athletic department and advise in technical areas with the University or outside production staff as live television broadcasts
• Works closely with content creation, IT, Operations, and other groups to resolve problems and assist in their areas of need
• Responsible for all upgrades and maintenance checks on all Daktronics systems and related control room equipment

Other Duties include staffing of other department-related events as needed, additional broadcasts of the department and potentially campus events, and duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in the video industry, including experience in television broadcast, live streaming, and video board production
• Bachelor's degree or a combination of education and relevant experience
• Prior experience integrating, implementing, or refreshing an arena/venue broadcast control room (a plus)
• Expert understanding of broadcast control rooms and staffing needs to execute a live event production as well as equipment maintenance and purchasing
• Familiarity with modern broadcast cabling infrastructure used in broadcast environments
• Managerial experience in broadcast control room setting
• Skill set to allow for conversations with network staff and department leaders about the vision of the product as well as what is possible to execute given existing resources
• Experience leading a group of production and freelance staff as well as gameday personnel
• Knowledge of video board production in a sports and entertainment facility
• Strong understanding of the linear and digital streaming marketplace
• Ability to forecast and work within budgets to achieve common goals
• Personality that attracts others and encourages collaboration and innovation
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to achieve a common goal
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently
• Organized individual with executive skill set and demonstrated leadership skills
• Posses a strategic thinking mindset with the ability to adjust as needed, at times quickly and under time duress
• Ability to manage internal and external stakeholders and have strong relationships with vendors
• Prior and specific knowledge of AV production systems, cameras, systems, non-linear editing, audio, video, and lighting control systems
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organization, and time management skills
• Excellent organizational skills to handle the volume and variety of projects for which they must be accomplished
• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and occasionally long work shifts
• Proficiency in meeting deadlines, following priorities and effectively manage several projects at once
• Job occasionally requires standing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting to 25 pounds
• Knowledge of analog, digital video, fiber, and audio systems
• Experience in supporting game presentation elements and fan experience staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work on deadlines and handle several responsibilities simultaneously.
• Strong knowledge of current and emergent audio/video technologies and video production.

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