Chief Engineer/Broadcast IT Operations Manager

WIVT/WETM-TV are seeking a skilled and motivated Chief Engineer/Broadcast IT Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations and strategic planning of the Engineering and IT Departments. This hybrid leadership role bridges traditional broadcast engineering with modern IP-based workflows and cloud computing, ensuring the seamless delivery of live and recorded content across multiple platforms. The successful candidate will manage personnel, ensure strict regulatory compliance, execute capital projects, and maintain high-availability redundancy systems to support 24/7 broadcast and digital operations.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

Departmental Leadership & Management

• Unified Management: Manage all operational aspects of the Engineering and Broadcast IT Departments.
• Team Leadership: Lead, schedule, and mentor a combined team of IT professionals and broadcast engineers, ensuring adequate coverage for 24/7 operations.
• HR Functions: Make authoritative decisions regarding hiring, evaluations, promotions, and terminations.
• Staff Development: Identify developmental needs, set performance standards, and coach staff to improve their knowledge of both traditional RF and modern IP technologies.
• Workflow Supervision: Assign projects, manage schedules, and track milestones to guarantee deadlines are met.

Broadcast IT & Cloud Operations

• System Management: Manage and maintain all broadcast IT systems, including playout, media asset management (MAM), video servers, routers, storage systems, and IP-based infrastructure.
• Cloud & Newsroom Tech: Oversee cloud-based newsroom and content systems, ensuring optimized studio, control room, and production workflows.
• Business Continuity: Develop, maintain, and test redundancy systems and business continuity plans to prevent downtime.
• Tech Migration: Plan and execute software upgrades, technology migrations (e.g., baseband to IP), and facility improvements.

Traditional Broadcast & Infrastructure

• Equipment Maintenance: Direct the maintenance, troubleshooting, and servicing of all station broadcast technology and hardware.
• A/V & Production: Oversee fiber connectivity, production setups, A/V routing and patching, audio equipment, graphics systems, and editing platforms.
• Transmission Systems: Maintain and troubleshoot digital transmitters, microwave equipment, and other specialized broadcast RF gear.
• Communication Systems: Maintain and troubleshoot analog and digital phone and intercom systems.

Compliance, Strategy & Collaboration

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure total station adherence to FCC rules and regulations, as well as all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• Capital Projects: Partner with corporate leadership to manage engineering and technology capital projects strictly within established budgets.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with News, Production, and other departments to support live news broadcasts and post-production workflows.
• Other Duties: Perform additional operational and technical duties as assigned.

Requirements & Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree or Technical degree in Digital Electronics, Broadcasting, Information Technology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Industry Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in broadcast, IT, and/or television production environments.
• Leadership Experience: Minimum of 3 years in a management or supervisory role leading technical teams.
• Certifications: Cisco CCNA, SBE (Society of Broadcast Engineers), and/or SMPTE certifications are a strong plus.

Technical & Functional Skills

• Networking Expertise: Solid grasp of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, UDP, Spanning Tree, and network performance optimization.
• Cloud Computing: Working knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).
• IP & Streaming: Strong knowledge of IP video, video encoding/decoding, streaming protocols (HLS, DASH, RTMP), and automation/cloud-based playout systems. Should have strong working knowledge of Dante digital audio, certification preferred.
• Traditional Broadcast: Extensive experience evaluating, installing, and servicing traditional broadcasting equipment, digital transmitters, and A/V routing.

Core Competencies & Other Requirements

• Crisis Management: Exceptional ability to remain calm under pressure and logically solve complex technical issues during live broadcasts.
• Communication: Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills (written and oral) in English.
• Flexibility: Ability to work varied hours, including rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays, to accommodate live news broadcasts, special events, and remote productions.
• Licensing: Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Compensation Range: $60,000 - $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience.