Producer I - Sports Production (Event)

Position Summary:

The Producer I (Event Sports Production) will provide creative, budgetary, personnel and administrative direction for all aspects of on-site production of assigned sports events and is accountable for the content quality, budget performance of assigned on-site remote telecasts of assigned sports events; tracks and reports on production schedules and budges for assigned sports events.

Responsibilities:

• For assigned sports events, plans and coordinates the full scope of remote producing activities of a large full time, temporary and/or matrixed staff of producers and other professionals accountable for program development and production; directs Producers, Associate Producers and Production Assistants in all aspects of the remote production
• May suggest new concepts for assigned sports remote telecasts; enhances the current philosophy, line-up and continuity of assigned remote telecasts; reviews and determines the look and feel of assigned remote telecasts; participates in the design and implementation of innovative graphics for assigned sports productions
• Pre-production activities include: evaluating the proposed venue; directing the on-site production arrangements for assigned sports remote telecasts; establishing production schedules up to and through the event; establishing the format and sequence of events for the live broadcast; with the assigned director, determining the technical needs of each assigned remote telecast; oversees and controls the flow of production assets for assigned sports productions
• On-site management activities include: leading the moment-to-moment editorial direction of the content of each assigned remote telecast as regards, show content, storylines, replay angles, graphic content, and announcer / commentator information; oversees the activities of assigned remote telecast production crews; resolving security challenges, determining how/when to incorporate late-breaking news into assigned remote telecasts
• Live event responsibilities include: making and overseeing the implementation of all production-related decisions at the venue before and during the event, e.g., how, when and what information to communicate to talent for optimum pacing and content, instant replays during breaks in action, application of graphics, whether or not to do post-event interviews and with whom
• Ensures the integration of assigned live remote sports telecasts with those of other sports broadcast by ESPN’s networks
• Directs the conduct of research on sports information to obtain materials necessary for the production of assigned sports events
• Operates within the context of defined sports remote telecasts concepts, objectives and outcomes
• Produces assigned sports telecasts independently with regular guidance from the responsible Producer II and / or Coordinating Producer
• Work is reviewed by the responsible Coordinating Producer after each remote production
• Provides direct feedback on the performance of assigned production crews
• Participates in decisions regarding the full scope of creative, content, production and some cost/benefit decisions for assigned events
• Ensures that the concepts and content of assigned events comply with the established policy and concepts of the production
• Applies established creative and production skills to identifying and evaluating alternatives and to developing the concept and content of assigned events
• Participates in interpreting the concepts of assigned sports events for the responsible Coordinating Producer, other Producers and related production and technical staffs
• May negotiate or participate in negotiations for resources, within prescribed budgets, for assigned events
• Participates in developing or develops processes and procedures for Associate Producers and Production Assistants that enhance the efficiency with which the department’s workload is conducted
• Through personal time management, organization and planning, contributes to the processing efficiencies of assigned sports events and to that of the Event/Single Sport Studio Production Department
• For assigned sports events, communicates as required with third-parties such as news and information resources; interacts with information sources for assigned sports content
• Coordinates and resolves content and production issues with technical and operations staff and outside resources selected by Coordinating Producers
• Organizes, structures and leads meeting to develop the content of assigned sports events
• Creates and enhances relationships with important information sources and related third-parties
• May influence others
• Provides direction and guidance to on-air talent during lead up to and during live programming

Qualifications:

• Ability to create and produce compelling sports news remote telecasts; generates and executes assigned remote productions, from concept to execution
• Sports production processes and the ability to produce assigned sports events
• Knowledge of real-time sports productions and graphics
• Technological advances in animation, video editing and graphics
• Considerable knowledge of what story ideas and concepts to use for assigned sports events
• A minimum of 8 years of progressively complex related remote or related sports production experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of ESPN’s market positioning and strategies
• Knowledge of sports and sports history

Required Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor's Degree

Additional Information: (i.e. physical requirements, holiday, nights, weekend shifts, etc.)

• Position requires ability to work nights, weekends and holidays.
• Must be willing to travel