Production Director – Broadcast Newscast

Job Description

Production Director | Nexstar Media Group

The Tone:
This is a role at Nexstar Media Group, located in one of our broadcast studios. Nexstar Media Group is a prominent broadcast media company, producing a wide range of live and recorded content, including local newscasts. This role is critical in ensuring the seamless, high-quality execution of all technical aspects during these productions, directly impacting the viewer experience and the delivery of timely news.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Early Mornings, Evenings, weekends, and holidays will be a part of the schedule.
• Location: In-person, broadcast studio location
• Team: Supervises on-air talent, technicians, and floor directors. Coordinates with News and Creative Services Departments.
• Mission: Coordinate all technical operators to ensure the smooth, high-quality execution of live and recorded productions, especially fast-paced local newscasts.
• Tech Stack: Sony ELC production automation, Ross XPression, Bitcentral playout, Calrec Brio, ENPS, automated servers, graphics systems, editing.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Direct: Direct live fast-paced local newscasts, skillfully utilizing Sony ELC production automation, Ross XPression, Bitcentral playout, and Calrec Brio to ensure a polished broadcast.
• Coordinate: Coordinate the efforts of all technical operators, ensuring a cohesive and synchronized workflow during newscasts and other live and recorded productions.
• Supervise: Supervise on-air talent, technicians, and floor directors, providing clear guidance and maintaining operational standards throughout broadcasts.
• Collaborate: Collaborate closely with newscast producers to meticulously create and execute the content, tone, structure, and pace of each newscast.
• Enhance: Contribute creativity and ideas that enhance the final broadcast product and effectively coordinate graphic elements with the News and Creative Services Departments.

The Must-Haves
• Background: This is a Director-level role requiring a strong foundation in live news production and a demonstrated in-depth knowledge of studio and remote broadcasting technology.
• Experience: A minimum of three years of experience in directing is required, specifically within a news broadcasting environment. News applicants only will be considered for this critical role.
• Skills:
• Possess in-depth knowledge of various studio and remote broadcasting technologies, including automated servers, graphics systems, and editing software.
• Demonstrate strong communication skills, both oral and written, essential for coordinating diverse teams and relaying critical information.
• Exhibit the ability to meet strict deadlines, efficiently prioritize multiple assignments, and successfully handle numerous tasks simultaneously.
• Act as a proactive problem solver and quick thinker, capable of resolving existing issues and skillfully working around unexpected problems that arise during live news broadcasts.
• Maintain composure and effectively manage situations during fast-paced live broadcasts and remain calm and decisive during breaking news events.
• Bonus: Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications or a related field are highly desired. Experience with ENPS and Sony ELC is preferred. Applicants should be prepared to furnish current professional references and examples of directed shows with a director’s track.