Senior Director, Broadcast And Audio Visual

Position Summary:

Manage all aspects of the Rodeo’s Studio Department, providing production services for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and other events taking place campus-wide at NRG park. This position includes overseeing full-time Rodeo Studio staff, seasonal and event-related staff to ensure all production needs are fulfilled to the Rodeo’s high standards. While priority is given to the needs of the Rodeo, production services are also provided for outside stakeholders including the Houston Texans and ASM Global, the entity that operates NRG Park.

Essential duties/responsibilities:

RODEO SHOWTIME operations

Responsible for all audio / video aspects of the Rodeo’s annual event across NRG Park with emphasis on the daily stadium show (rodeo and concert), including but not limited to:

• Ideation, planning and execution of new show elements, both stadium-specific and complex wide
• Audio and video elements of special presentations and special days, i.e. Born To Buck, Armed Forces Appreciation Day, drone show(s) and the like
• Digital signage content and quality control at various locations complex wide
• Ensure all resources (equipment and crew) are ready for each performance
• Respond to changing conditions and unforeseen circumstances
• Evaluate concert artist provided content daily, working with the concert director to ensure suitability for use in the Rodeo’s family-friendly presentation
• Participate in and/or lead daily production meetings with Rodeo leadership and production crew
• Work with various contractors (sound, video, pyro and others) on logistics and presentation elements to ensure optimal operation
• Responsible for non-stadium complex wide daily operations including all livestock and horse arena presentations and Audio/video feeds to screens, livestreams, and modulator (closed circuit) channels
• Work with the Rodeo’s broadcast partners to ensure high quality transmission of our product

Non-rodeo showtime Live Event operations

• Responsible for audio / video elements year-round for HLSR meetings and events such as Membership and Board of Directors meetings and the annual star announcement event
• Responsible for live event production and support for outside stakeholders including the Houston Texans, ASM Global and other third parties.
• Responsible for production services for large events hosted by NRG Park including Final Four, CFP Championship Game, Super Bowl, World Cup and others
• Responsible for hiring production crew for all events supported by the Studio and ensuring that individuals are qualified for their respective positions and equipment is handled properly

Internal Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo operations

• Oversee internally produced projects throughout the year including:
  • Rodeo Showtime related productions
  • Advertising / marketing projects
• Represent the Studio Department in brainstorming sessions and meetings with HLSR staff to plan and execute new elements for the spring show and other various events year round
• Work with internal stakeholders to provide studio services for Membership, Board of Directors, and other meetings and events

Administrative/budgetary

• Represent and protect HLSR interests with regard to new complex wide projects involving the Tri-Party and the complex wide AV/IT technology group
• Oversee Studio invoicing for services provided to outside “customers”
• Provide periodic reports to the HLSR Finance Division
• Prepare and submit annual operating and capital budgets
• Present large capital and operating budget expenditures to HLSR Executive Committee for consideration as needed
• Participation in negotiation of various production related vendor contracts
• Prepare periodic reports and updates of Studio operations

ENGINEERING / MAINTENANCE

• Work with the Studio staff (Senior Production Manager and Studio Engineer) to continuously maintain the facility and update the facility technology roadmap at least annually
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant production technologies as they apply to the Rodeo’s needs, both current and looking forward
• Evaluate production equipment offerings to determine applicability to the Studio facility
• Work with the Studio staff (Senior Production Manager and Studio Engineer) to predict facility maintenance needs and proactively maintain a state of readiness
• Work with the Studio staff (Senior Production Manager and Studio Engineer) to maintain current support contracts on key Studio equipment and plan equipment replacement as needed so that no mission critical equipment becomes unsupported

Supervisory Responsibility:

The following positions are supervised both during the Show and year-round:

Senior Production Manager

Senior Video Producer

Senior Specialist, Video Production/Studio Operations

Video Editor

Studio Engineer

Video Engineering Assistants

Video Directors

Technical Directors

Producers

Graphics Personnel

Studio Operations Contractors

Camera Operators

Utility Personnel

Tape Operators

SloMo Operators

Audio Personnel

Various Video and Arena Personnel

Video Interns

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s preferred. 10+ years of experience in video production and live event production a must.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Advanced knowledge of the video production process, both live and post production. Knowledge of non-linear editing techniques and technologies. Knowledge of the Adobe suite of production tools a plus. Experience in planning and production of large live events essential. Working knowledge of basic engineering principles and signal flow as they apply to a video production facility of this magnitude. Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and be comfortable working in different roles. Flexibility to work days, nights and weekends as needed during peak periods, specifically the HLSR spring event. Ability to meet deadlines without sacrificing quality. Ability to work in fast-paced, deadline driven environment. Ability to manage / participate in management of large construction / installation projects benefitting not only HLSR but the NRG Park complex.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is a physically demanding position, particularly during set up and operation of HLSR’s spring event each year. During that time, it is a seven day per week position with long work days. There is a lot of walking between NRG Center and NRG Stadium, and other areas of the NRG Park complex, especially during showtimes. Although the employee is in a supervisory role, he or she must be willing to step in and perform physically demanding production related activities as needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work setting is a busy, fast-paced, marketing and event environment, with strict and multiple deadlines. Extended work hours as necessary, with several deadlines throughout the year, and extended work hours during Show.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to dust and be in close proximity to animals at various times.