Director, Distribution Operations

Position Title:
Director, Distribution Operations
Department:
Distribution, Infrastructure & Operations
Corporate Area:
Digital & Marketing
Status:
Regular, Full time Exempt
Manager Title:
Sr. Director, Distribution Operations
Position Overview:
The Director, Distribution Operations is responsible for managing the daily operations and associated assignments of the PBS Distribution Ops Center (NOC) toward a goal of achieving at least 99.95% on-air reliability for all program feeds. The Director serves as the direct manager over the NOC technicians and works with the Sr. Director, Distribution Ops and the NOC supervisors to accomplish the required tasks.
Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
Assist in the management of the 24x7x365 daily operations of the PBS NOC

• With Senior Director, Distribution Ops Center, hire, evaluate and manage NOC technical team.
• Manage and assist in the assigning of daily tasks for the operational staff of the PBS NOC.
• Implement and maintain SOPs in conjunction with the Senior Director, Distribution Operations.
• Sustain an ongoing training program for technical staff in coordination with the Senior Director, Distribution Operations.
• Maintain a positive environment in and around the Distribution Ops Center that encourages teamwork, problem solving and creative thinking.
• Make informed decisions under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Support daily operations and facilitate Live events.
• Contribute in planning of future direction and NOC operations and work flow models.
• Work closely with NABET staff and in union contract execution.

Operations Support and Reporting

• Create work orders for re-feeds due to NOC technical problems, station requests or for events missed in the 'auto-create' process.
• Generate work orders and bill internal & external clients for live and pre-recorded transmission origination.
• Assist in managing the daily completion and billing of service work orders.
• Compile daily NOS (Network Operating Summary) reports and on-air reliability reports.
• Assist in the reporting of transmission paths and routing plans for live and remote events.
• Assist in the tracking and measuring of the performance of NOC personnel.

Scheduling Assistance

• Assist in analyzing, designing, and implementing scheduling solutions that cover all daily and expected occasional tasks.
• Manage overtime of NOC Operations staff
• Provide position verification/justification for standby employees
• Provide secondary check of technician & supervisor timesheets against weekly schedules for accuracy prior to submission
• Prepare and update the daily and weekly work schedules for the NOC team, providing appropriate air coverage for program transmissions and other technical services in the absence of the Manager, Resource & Logistics
• Proof, print and distribute daily broadcast logs (R/T, uplink services, channel grids, remote event sheets) to NOC and Satellite Operations Center (SOC) in the absence of the Manager, Resource & Logistics
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of the NOC shift pick process
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements for success:

• Five or more years' experience in the television and/or cable television industry of which at least two years was in a supervisory and/or management capacity.
• Experience in public broadcasting preferred.
• Previous experience managing union personnel.
• Experience maintaining a training and development program.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience with Broadcast Automation and associated equipment.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• A high degree of technical experience with digital television, video, audio, control, automation, video servers, switchers, and other television equipment.
• In depth knowledge of fiber and satellite transmission processes.
• Broad knowledge of public television, including the needs of PBS, stations and producers.
• Experience with automation traffic systems is required, experience with Broadview is critical.
• Strong management skills with an ability to develop and guide the staff.
• Ability to manage and motivate technical team.
• Excellent judgment, project management and follow-up skills.
• Excellent stress and crisis management skills - must be able to make informed and appropriate decisions under pressure.
• Ability to adapt to an ever changing and dynamic environment.
• Strong attention to customer service.
• Conduct tours, as needed, of the PBS Distribution Ops Center.
• This position will require some evening, weekend work and "on-call".

PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer in accordance with the EEOC and the Commonwealth of Virginia.