Network Origination Shift Supervisor

This is a Full Time Job


On any given day at Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology, we're reimagining ways to create magical viewing experiences for the world's most beloved stories while also transforming our media business for the future. Whether that's evolving our streaming and digital products in new and immersive ways, powering worldwide advertising and distribution to enhance flexibility and efficiency, or delivering Disney's unmatched entertainment and sports content, every day is a moment to make a difference to partners and to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

A few reasons why we think you'd love working here:
• Building the future of Disney's media: DE&E Technologists are designing and building the infrastructure that will power our media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.
• Reach & Scale: The products and platforms this group builds and operates delight millions of consumers every minute of every day – from Disney+ and Hulu, to ABC News and Entertainment, to ESPN and ESPN+, and much more.
• Innovation: We develop and implement groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and enhance how audiences experience sports, entertainment & news.

Content Operations is ultimately responsible for successfully delivering entertainment and sports content to millions of people every day. This involves developing, operating, and leading a global content supply chain – the myriad of steps involved from taking a finalized TV show/movie, or live piece of content, from inside Disney to audiences around the globe, in their preferred language and format. This team also leads technology operations in Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

The Network Origination Shift Supervisor will work rotational shifts to support 24 hour / 7 day a week media network operation and ensure that all network feeds are aired as scheduled. Their primary responsibility will be to provide oversight, administration and support of the control of the Disney Media Networks and their underlying systems while maintaining a close partnership with internal teams such as Marketing, Programming, Media Operations and Traffic. This may include Disney Cable, FX, National Geographic, ESPN networks, ABC Television and related streaming networks. The Supervisor, in conjunction with the operations Managers, are the front line of decision making affecting the on-air product. The origination supervisors supervise the day-to-day tasks of our operation to assure all business needs are being met while protecting our high standard of quality and content being released out to the public.

The Network Origination Shift Supervisor should be an expert in network origination functions as well as serve as the primary conduit to internal business teams, management and network affiliates in regards to the on-air product. The Network Origination Shift Supervisor will supervise and ensure operations duties (such as log preparation, playout, monitoring / responding to playout issues, routing control and change requests) are being met. All business requests and instructions (emails, log changes and other communications) to the operations team should pass through the Supervisor. Additionally, the Supervisor should control communications between the network and affiliates and serve as their primary point of contact for all issues. A successful candidate in this role must be able to maintain a high-level attention to detail across several streams and systems while being able to prioritize tasks and requests.

Responsibilities:

• Direct oversight and guidance of network origination operations including control and monitoring of systems, administrative duties and communications with supporting departments to ensure all networks are airing as instructed
• Ownership of impact and risk assessment of program release
• Supervisor must be very thoughtful and detail oriented as the position will be in charge of making on-air critical decisions
• Effectively interpret and implement various network policies and procedures during critical situations, including ensuring all rules and regulations pertaining to legal requirements, standards and practices are being met
• Support internal and external business customer requests and assure they are implemented
• Support affiliate needs be responding to and routing incoming requests and inquiries, including providing them with program formats, timings and vital instructions during breaking News events, Sports and all live programming
• Monitor and identify components and quality of the on-air product. This includes measurement of and validation of signal components such as closed captioning, V-Chip, format ratio, graphical placement, and SAP/DVS
• Identify and resolve timing issues that arise from live to air events and other various factors. This includes calculating timing needs, making on the fly content decisions and giving direction to team members and other production related personnel to ensure all necessary content is airing as planned while maintaining a perfect experience for the end viewer
• Ensure accurate and formatted information is in the automation system in sufficient time prior to air
• Build and manipulate automation playlists during live and taped events
• Ensure timely delivery of programs and efficiently handle last minute changes to the system
• Coordinate with the Network break studios for possible commercial make goods at the conclusion of special event activity. In addition, coordinate with News and Network break studios for accurate program rejoins following special report activity
• Maintain recovery expectations via the ability to analyze and recover quickly from emergent issues in high pressure situations to minimize revenue loss
• Express technical and operational issues clearly to support, engineering and management through well written reports
• Provide feedback to management that directly affects the formulation of Standard Operating Procedures
• Flexibility to work all shifts composing a 24/7 day including swing shifts, overnights, weekends, holidays and special events
• Work constructively and respectfully with fellow team and department members to achieve a common goal while always upholding the values of The Walt Disney Company
• Provide input for the implementation of technological upgrades and projects furthering the vision of the Facility

Basic Qualifications:

• A minimum of 2-years' experience in television operations.
• Must be able to understand and calculate timecode quickly and optimally
• Solid understanding of television network operations that may include traffic planning and timing calculation, automation systems, signal flow, measurement tools and signal elements
• Understanding of basic video formats (SD, HD, UHD, HD-HDR) and video and audio standards (SMPTE)
• Understanding of basic audio formats such as mono, stereo, native 5.1 & 5.1 up-mix
• Proficiency in Windows and Microsoft Office (esp. Outlook and Excel)
• Proactive problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Ability to analyze issues and communicate quickly and optimally response plans and instructions to team members
• Must be self-motivated, organized and communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:
• Experience with playout automation systems
• Advanced understanding of video routing systems and analysis tools (waveform monitors, rasterizers and audio meters)
• Basic knowledge of live acquisition and remote workflows for live events and linear channels
• Strong curiosity about current industry technologies and developments
• Familiarity with streaming media platforms (e.g., Netflix, Fire TV, Hulu, etc.)

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree or certificate in a field related to media, broadcast, engineering, communications OR equivalent work experience.