Manager, Stats & Information

This is a Full Time Job


The Manager, Stats & Information Group (SIG) serves as a front-line leader of editorial and operational efforts in one or more production areas. The Manager represents and helps cultivate SIG's daily and long-term engagement with other groups across ESPN, and advocates for SIG's content ideas and executions. The Manager is a daily, consistent link to groups that rely on or support SIG's content generation - Studio and Event Production, Digital Media, Technology, and others – to build and leverage strategic relationships that drive SIG's support of the best storylines.

The Stats & Analysis area within SIG works with the richest sports data sources in the world to serve fans directly and in service to internal storytelling and product needs. You will manage the collection and distribution of that data in a fast-paced, deadline-driven newsroom environment, leveraging the knowledge of a dedicated team of Analysts to turn it into insightful editorial content and storylines for use across ESPN's platforms.

Managers lead the daily determination of production priorities and the most efficient means to accomplish them to best serve fans and internal clients. They collaborate across SIG and with the aforementioned teams outside of SIG on executing those priorities in efficient ways. Managers will lead and/or execute various content, personnel, and project initiatives, such as data development and management, long-term strategic planning, sports content teams, staff hiring, and business-related projects.

Growing and developing people is an important aspect of this role. Managers need to be committed to investing the time and care to coach and teach our staff, developing them as people and building successful professionals for one of the world's largest sports media companies. We believe that great support, honest, straight-talk feedback, and holding people accountable is foundational to our success.

Managers are part of SIG's Management team and will be expected to contribute to the direction of the department. They will need to stay current with industry and technology trends, as well as the latest metrics and storytelling tools developed by the Sports Analytics Team.

Ideal candidates will possess the following traits:
• Demonstrated ability to grow and develop people
• Ability to lead a large group of professionals in the accurate, timely production of sports data and content that translates into compelling executions that drive fan engagement and delights internal clients.
• Organizational skills necessary to lead direct reports across job titles and responsibilities
• Demonstrated excellence working with multiple departments to achieve a common goal
• Strong verbal and written skills
• A strategic mindset that balances short- and long-term impact

Responsibilities:

• Work regular production shifts as an on-duty leader.
• Coordinate the allocation of personnel and resources in a deadline-driven production environment.
• Grow and develop people, including up to 8 full-time direct reports.
• Provide direction and coaching to staff as well as positive and constructive feedback to management colleagues at all levels.
• Manage all required performance conversations and documentation per SIG, ESPN and Disney guidelines.
• Collaborate with ESPN Technology to improve accurate data intake and management through development and use of software and other processes. Analyze and refine those processes as needed, and ensure newsroom staff is fully trained and up to date.
• Make strategic decisions around staff assignments, projects, etc., in consideration of business priorities, competency and development opportunities.
• Formulate and contribute to strategy within assigned core area as well as regularly contributing across SIG.
• Identify opportunities to integrate SIG data, content and coverage onto all existing and emerging ESPN platforms and coverage areas.
• Oversee and advise senior management on specific line items in the SIG budget, e.g. travel.
• Help oversee the development and maintenance of resources such as training manuals, documentation, stylebook, calendar, statistical tools, analytical interfaces, and sports databases.
• Approve appropriate time entry, overtime, and expense reports, ensuring alignment with SIG, ESPN and Disney policies.
• Work with partners across the company to collaborate and coordinate areas of SIG oversight.
• Take a leading role in coordinating projects across SIG and representing SIG across ESPN.
• Represent and champion the decisions and direction from SIG, ESPN and Disney leaders.
• Occasionally represent SIG and ESPN with vendors and other third-party providers.
• Ensure vendors meet deliverables and that customer service needs are clearly communicated.
• Provide regular updates to management peers and appropriate staff on areas of oversight and projects.
• Prepare for and actively participate in management and staff meetings.

Basic Qualifications:

• 6 years' experience in business or media
• 3 years' experience in a content-focused role
• 1 years' experience managing people and/or projects including oversight of direct reports
• Experience leading and/or coaching people.
• Deep and broad sports knowledge. Must have expert-level recall of current and historical sports statistics, news, events and milestones.
• Demonstrated commitment to achieving our goal of 100 percent accuracy
• Thorough knowledge of a wide variety of sports and proper statistical and scorekeeping procedures
• A proven record of success in respecting and maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality
• Full availability for this position, which will include nights, weekends and holidays

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4 years' experience working with sports statistics and storytelling.
• Experience in Internet, television or print sports news production
• Experience managing a combination of staff, contract and freelance contributors to form a cohesive unit
• Experience working with technology such as data feeds, data warehouses, and custom software tools
• Strong people management skills and a demonstrated ability to hold staff accountable to stringent standards
• A thorough knowledge of television production usage of data in on-air and research applications
• Spanish-language writing and speaking skills

Required Education

• High School diploma or equivalent

Preferred Education

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

About ESPN:

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney's stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with ESPN Productions, Inc., which is part of a business segment we call ESPN.

ESPN Productions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

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