Technical Producer

Overview:
The Technical Producer will act as the single point of contact between the Production Manager and Executive Producer for all technical requirements relating to various sporting events. Instigating conversations between various technical groups, you will streamline communication between all teams, establishing a clear vision of what is required technically in all areas and acting as a central point of contact for any technical issues that may arise. The primary focus for this role is to be the key link between the Production teams and the Technical teams of our Global Technology & Operations function, providing advice and solutions.

Depending on the location of the Executive Producer and Production Manager, the Technical Producer may be working onsite at an event venue; within one of the Tech Hubs/MCR’s; or even at a 3rd party location being used to anchor the sporting coverage.

We are looking for Technical Producers with experience in the below Sports Verticals:

- Tennis
- Golf & Cycling
- Winter sports & Motorsports

Upon joining Discovery, the Technical Producer will align to a specific sport in order to build and maintain a relationship with the Production, Editorial and Operational teams. After relationships have been established, the Technical Producer may start to work on other sports, allowing for knowledge sharing across the different sports verticals.

**Responsibilities**:

- Provide single technical point of contact to the pillar teams and support them as best as possible
- Act as primary liaison for onsite Tech Hubs and Homebase’s
- Provide solutions for Production requests - discuss options and give input for additional Production value
- Generate RFP’s that capture full requirements for 3rd party equipment and resource & select vendors, refining requirements as necessary
- Work with internal Technical teams to plan suitable solutions, utilising Technical knowledge and Production experience to make decisions
- Provide a conduit for new ideas on production value from Technical teams
- Work on staffing requirements
- Provide budgetary costs to Production/Operations, including any cost saving options
- Communicate any requests and requirements to the wider Technical teams, issuing any changes to requirements in a timely manner
- Communicate requirements succinctly downward and solutions or issues upward to a non-technical audience
- Understand timescales for planning and provision and keep these areas on track, or report otherwise
- Ensure Operations teams are kept across technical planning and discuss any issues
- Ensure a centralised store of documentation and knowledge per event is established and accessible, with no restrictions to fundamental requirements as documented
- Ensure templates for storing all relevant information are available before each event is planned - all Regional requirements to be captured in the same centralised store, updating as as required
- Produce a testing time table so that equipment is checked and ready for first rehearsals
- Ensure all bookings are correctly entered to the Bookings system (Mediapulse)
- Responsible for any required decisions regarding staffing and suppliers when on site, to ensure successful delivery of the production
- Be accountable for the successful technical delivery of the event and take overall technical responsibility
- Delegate Technical teams to work on planning and execution of specific areas
- Monitor and assist on any issues arising in specific technical areas, ensuring all technical areas are made aware of issues in case the issue extends beyond one group
- Monitor configuration and testing of relevant Technical teams and end-to-end tests prior to rehearsals
- Ensure both Hub and Regional requirements are met
- Ensure that all technical staff and third party engineering suppliers operate safely and in accordance with UK Health & Safety guidelines
- Provide mentoring for aspiring Production Engineers
- Continuous improvement of the standards of live sporting events

Qualifications:

- Demonstrable Production knowledge and experience
- Demonstrable depth of experience working in a live sports production environment and working closely with Production/Editorial teams
- Proven background in live Production Engineering / Technical Operations
- Proven ability to interpret Editorial requirements and to offer engineering solutions
- Understanding of Production needs and requirements
- Technical skills necessary to turn requirements into reality for onsite venues and at home
- Full detailed knowledge of all technical areas not required, but a general understanding of working practices and high-level architecture is key
- Ability to understand discussions and solutions from Technical groups
- Previous experience of creating and managing complex documentation
- Previous experience with IP / distributed broadcast solutions; experience with DSCV ETT an advantage
- Team player with a strong capability in relationship management