at WINDOW TO THE WORLD COMMUNICATIONS in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
WTTW (Chicago PBS) and WFMT (classical music radio station) are looking for a Vice President, Technology. This position is primarily responsible for planning, evaluation, acquisition, installation, and maintenance of all related material and resources supporting media platforms for broadcast and related production/distribution operations; IT; and facilities. The Vice President, Technology will also be responsible for proactively managing engineering staff and equipment for production operations functions, and overseeing and serving as the primary point of contact for our external master control operation and other broadcasting vendors. The role requires oversight and on-call availability 24/7 for all functions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Broadcast Engineering - Maintenance
- Oversee and maintain broadcast engineering equipment and transmitter to ensure leading edge technology and performance.
- Oversee engineering interconnection, project design, construction, installation, and maintenance.
Broadcast Engineering - Production and Program Distribution Operations
- Oversee engineering and production staffing, equipment, and services to align with production needs and deliverables.
- Effectively manage and motivate staff to ensure best-in-class and cost/time-efficient broadcast and distribution operations to deliver the highest level of quality to audience.
- Evaluate, improve, and document technical systems and processes, quality control procedures, optimized workflows, and performance tracking.
- Coordinate with PBS and other third-party distribution entities to ensure timely and quality-controlled delivery of assets with established specifications in mind.
- Identify current and long-term facility and equipment needs based on content, production services, and government (FCC, EAS) requirements and obligations.
IT/Archiving/Media Management
- Provide management, direction and vision for IT needs across the organization.
- Plan and implement upgrades to network, hardware, and software systems.
- Oversee and ensure data security across all company systems.
- Evaluate and assess current media management capabilities/systems and make recommendations on future technology requirements to ensure short- and long-term viability and accessibility.
- Oversee external IT, phone and other communications vendors.
Facilities/Security
- Oversee campus security and safety.
- Oversee maintenance and upkeep of all aspects of the physical plant.
- Oversee and work with related vendors/partners as needed.
Management, leadership and future technology sustainability
- Initiate, deploy, and manage union and related staff training on current and future equipment, technology, skills, procedures, and workflows.
- Develop/maintain deep understanding of union contracts (IBEW, DGA, AFTRA); educate/train bargaining unit and non-bargaining unit staff on jurisdictional rules.
- Lead management team in IBEW and DGA union negotiations to ensure flexible, agile, and efficient culture and workflows.
- Develop and implement technology strategy to align with strategic plan and prepare for future-state operations.
- Establish goals and measurable outcomes for production operations and technology teams; document policies, procedures, and performance.
