NPR seeks an Audio Engineering Production Manager to oversee the day-to-day technical operations of our broadcast facilities in Culver City, California (NPR West). This includes managing and supporting a small team of audio engineers, allocating appropriate technical resources for daily broadcast and podcast production, and coordinating with adjacent technical, content, and operational divisions across the organization.
This position is responsible for a wide assortment of technical and logistic duties that include maintaining NPR West’s disaster recovery readiness, responding to 24x7x365 production and scheduling requests, writing documentation, and monitoring critical broadcast and production systems.
Our ideal candidate is a proactive, courteous, collaborative individual with a broadcast and/or audio/media production background. S/he must possess the poise to manage complex situations with tact, the ability and desire to learn new skills, tools, and technologies, and believes in the mission of NPR. A proven history of successfully managing teams, building and maintaining cross-divisional relationships, solving problems, and developing staff are key components of this leadership position.
- Oversees all technical aspects of content creation and broadcast operations at NPR West
- Provides 24x7 immediate response to technology outages and/or staffing emergencies
- Maintains current service levels and high-quality standards for audio production
- Builds and maintains collaborative relationships across the organization, including regular engagement with content creators, support groups, and management to identify and anticipate needs and allocate resources accordingly
- Manages, supports, trains, and develops a team of engineers
- Ensures compliance with the NABET collective bargaining agreement
- Troubleshoots, documents, and resolves technical issues as they arise.
- Regularly tests and maintains all disaster recovery systems and recommends updates and modifications as required
- Provides backup operational management and technical support to NPR’s Washington and New York Audio Engineering teams
- 6+ years of professional production, audio, and/or broadcast experience
- 3+ years of supervisory experience or team leadership
- Demonstrable history of effective staff leadership, development, and delegation
- Knowledge of broadcast automation, audio/video router configuration, audio transport, and production workflows
- Thorough understanding of audio engineering concepts and principles
- Ability to work independently, multitask, prioritize, and thrive under remote supervision
- Excellent communication skills (written, oral, documentation creation, etc.)
- Adept at identifying and solving complex problems with tact and discretion
- Customer service focused mentality
- Understanding of emerging broadcast and audio technologies
- Ability to effectively translate highly technical topics and concepts to editorial staff and management
- Ability and desire to identify and learn new systems, tools, and technologies
PREFERRED SKILLS
- Knowledge of current audio transmission methods and protocols including: IP/ISDN, T1/E3 circuits, streaming, and AOIP
- Familiarity with IT networking
- Familiarity with digital audio workstations and production workflow
- Familiarity with media asset management systems
- Experience working in broadcast and/or master control facilities
- Experience with digital audio routing, networking, and consoles
- Experience with automation, control, and monitoring applications
- Management experience within a union environment
- Familiarity with NPR’s content and the public media ecosystem
NPR offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including health and wellness benefits, retirement, and work/life balance programs, as well as opportunities for career growth and development.