Wls - Manager, Broadcast Engineering

Job Description

Disney Entertainment's eight-owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago is the No. 1 local news source and most-watched television station in Chicago. With top-rated daily newscasts spanning decades and the largest social media presence in the market with more than 2.6 million Facebook followers, ABC7 Eyewitness News provides breaking news, investigative reporting, weather, politics, traffic and sports in the multiplatform space to Chicago, the suburbs and northwest Indiana. Named Best News Operation by the Associated Press for four consecutive years, ABC 7 Eyewitness News produces ''Chicago Proud,'' a series of features that spotlights everyday heroes in and around Chicago.  The station also produces the highest-rated New Year's Eve special in Chicago, a holiday kickoff special, The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, syndicated to a national audience, as well as the award-winning program series ''Our Chicago,'' which showcases the city's diversity and highlights contributions in the Black, Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ+ communities, among others. ABC 7 is the only Chicago station producing and broadcasting parades representing Chicago's rich cultural history. In addition to producing town halls focused on current social issues, the station has a long and proud tradition of broadcasting political candidate debates keeping Chicago's electorate informed. ABC7's outreach efforts include annual partnerships with the Red Cross for life-saving blood drives, one of the biggest one-day drives in the country and, most recently, spearheading an effort to raise more than $1.5 million for area food pantries.

ABC7/ WLS-TV in Chicago, IL, has an opening for a collaborative Manager of Broadcast Engineering who will be responsible for the daily maintenance of the broadcast and studio technology, including troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of broadcast systems and technology.

What You Will Do
• Leads a team of NABET maintenance engineers and oversees their various technical projects and broadcast productions.
• Assigns daily tasks to maintenance personnel and provides coaching, feedback, and training.
• Collaborates with the News and Programming departments to meet the needs of various television productions and events.

Required Qualifications & Skills:
• Minimum of five years of broadcast engineering experience
• Minimum three years of supervisory or project management experience
• In-depth knowledge of radio and transmission-related equipment, including satellite, microwave, bonded cellular and ATSC
• Experience with systems such as microphones, intercom, IFB 's, etc. for live studio and field productions
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills consistent with leading a team.
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Strong project management skills and experience

Preferred Qualifications:
• Understanding of FCC compliance and regulations in relation to over-the-air broadcast
• Systems integration experience, including system design, drawings, cable management and installation processes.
• Experience using scheduling and timecard applications
• A basic understanding of business financials

Required Education
• Degree or Diploma in a relevant engineering or technical discipline

Additional Information:
• This role is considered on-site, which means the employee will work from a Company designated location on an ongoing basis
• Reporting Location – Chicago, IL

About Disney Entertainment Television:

Disney Entertainment Television is a collection of renowned content brands at The Walt Disney Company creating original entertainment and news programming for the company's streaming platforms Disney+, Hulu and Star, and its broadcast and cable networks. Its extensive portfolio is comprised of ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Branded Television, Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and Onyx Collective, in addition to Disney Television Studios, which include 20th Television, 20th Television Animation, ABC Signature and Walt Disney Television Alternative. Responsible for over 4,500 hours of programming a year across more than 300 programs of all genres, Disney Entertainment Television's creative brands are at the forefront of groundbreaking storytelling, captivating audiences and generating critical acclaim. In 2023, Disney Entertainment Television's programming excellence earned 163 Emmy® nominations across daytime, primetime, news & documentary, and children's & family categories.

This position is with WLS Television, Inc., which is part of a business we call Disney Entertainment Television.

WLS Television, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-ro41qp-3-22-42-25-42 in your application.