Director, Production Innovation

Versant Media is seeking a visionary and technically adept Director, Production Technology to lead the design, implementation, and evolution of production workflows and systems across CNBC, MS Now, entertainment and USA Sports. This role is critical to ensuring seamless broadcast and digital production operations, with a strong emphasis on control room infrastructure, real-time graphics, and emerging technologies. The role will report directly to the SVP, Creative Production.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic development and operational oversight of production workflows that will empower the creative operations team with reliable, scalable, and flexible production solutions that support rapid content creation, seamless graphics integration, and efficient collaboration across live and recorded formats.
• Manage and optimize playback systems, including the integration among VizRT, Trio and Sync.
• Explore and integrate next generation playback systems that incorporate AI driven suggestion engines and automation.
• Oversee application lifecycle management for production-related tools, ensuring alignment with editorial and technical goals.
• Explore and implement emerging technologies to optimize the creative team’s “development to delivery” time and overall output.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, editorial, and creative to deliver integrated technology solutions.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, particularly in AI, cloud production and automation, and translate them into actionable strategies.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to enhance production efficiency, quality, and innovation.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to production technology staff.
• Develop and manage budgets, vendor relationships, and project timelines.

• 10+ years of experience in broadcast or digital production technology, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Deep understanding of control room operations, signal flow, and live production environments.
• Expertise in VizRT, RTG, and other real-time graphics systems.
• Hands-on experience with cloud-based switcher platforms and alternate video switching technologies, with a strong understanding of how they integrate into modern production environments to support remote workflows and scalable creative operations.
• Proven experience in application management and workflow optimization.
• Strong grasp of emerging technologies including AI, machine learning, and cloud-based production tools.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Preferred Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with a passion for innovation.
• Collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Technologically curious and proactive in exploring new solutions.

Additional Information

• This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.
• This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks.
• Salary: $160,000 - $180,000 (bonus & LTI eligible).

What we’ll offer: At CNBC Headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, you’ll have access to great perks and amenities:

• Sweat it out -- Free onsite fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, plus daily group classes
• Eat up -- Gourmet cafeteria with daily specials plus soup and salad bars
• Extras -- Dry cleaning, and sneak peeks
• Don’t have a car? No problem! We offer free shuttle transportation to and from multiple locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Hoboken and Jersey City

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

VERSANT Media is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We include a good faith pay range for each position to comply with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and to promote equity across our organization. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, and location and may include additional forms of compensation and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.

VERSANT Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at VERSANT via-email, the Internet, or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from VERSANT's Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by VERSANT as a result of the referral or through other means.