Associate Director

Job Description

The Associate Director II position will work with Directors in preparing, supporting and executing high level Studio, Remote and REMI productions. The ADII must have comprehensive knowledge and mastery of the Associate Director role, including strong multi-tasking and communication skills, plus leadership qualities. In addition, will contribute to content ideas based on developing storylines across sports. The Associate Director II needs to possess strong project management skills and be able to contribute to multiple high-profile productions at one time. The ADII will be required to mentor ADIs and Stage Managers and must provide comprehensive written feedback of their development and performance to Directing Management. The ADII will direct assigned productions to begin the path toward Director.

Responsibilities:
• Assists the Director during a production by timing elements, keying fonts, and coordinating feeds.  Maintains communication with live shots by providing alerts and cues, and ensure the proper framing, audio and video levels meet on-air standards.  Assists in communication of traffic changes, graphics requests, music cues, and source changes with media.  
• During Ignite/Automated productions – ADs will assist in routing, papping, framing and clearing remote guests; selecting music for studio productions and MOS'ing into the rundown; assist Director with checking codes and rundown changes.
• Assists the Director with pre-production elements including billboards, promotions, teases, graphics, special effects and virtual imagery; coordinates video and fonts within the production. 
• Participates in meetings with Production to assist in the development of visual content for the show.
• Working with the Director and Production staff, will request images and monitor graphics to support storylines throughout the show. Will execute studio moves with requested elements during pre-production or discuss with director to be executed live.
• Verifies locations of guests (remote and studio) with Audio and Transmission/VCC by providing paperwork (FrameStores, IFBs, booking windows).
• Assists the Director, Producer and Coordinating Producer with PCR setup, including the comms and monitoring build.
• Contributes to the planning and organizing of special projects. Interacts with other departments for a common goal.
• Works with the assigned lead Directors on special graphics elements and animations for specialty shows.
• On REMI productions, assists the Producer and Director in managing game-related responsibilities and traffic. Communicates directly with multiple positions, including the timeout coordinator or red hat to ensure the game and control room are in sync. Generates cards with promotional, sales and editorial copy for talent to read on air.  Runs the preproduction session.
• Directs Ignite and ViBox productions for digital and radio programming, plus pre-recorded segments in conventional control rooms and mobile units for studio and remote productions.
• Coaches and mentors Associate Directors and Stage Managers. Provides feedback to support development, and documents in written form to Management. Written feedback should be thoughtful and comprehensive with clear, detailed examples.
• Practices and maintains the Directing Department performance standards as they apply to leadership, communication, operations, personal development and productions, and consistently performs all the duties and functions required of the role. Demonstrates strong leadership qualities in all interactions and decisions.

Qualifications:
• A thorough understanding of television production is mandatory.  
• Clear, concise and comprehensive verbal communication skills are required.  
• Strong interpersonal skills are required.  
• Ability to think quickly in a pressure situation is a necessity.  
• Leadership skills are a must as the position includes facility and crew oversight, organization and show execution, plus problem solving.  
• Hard working, detail oriented, creative; passionate about production and interested in technology.  

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience at the Associate Director level in Directing department or network equivalent; Director equivalent in local television.   

Required Education:
• High School Diploma or equivalent

Preferred Education:
• Bachelor's Degree

#ESPNMedia 

The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles, CA is $85,772 to $115,060 per year based on a 40 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

About ESPN:

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney's stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with ESPN Productions, Inc, which is part of a business we call ESPN.

ESPN Productions, 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.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r76by6-3-129-70-138-42 in your application.