Executive Director, Field & Bureau Operations

Job Description

Executive Director, Field & Bureau Operations (ABC News)

The Executive Director, Field & Bureau Operations is responsible for leading the global strategy, planning, and execution of all live field and remote production events, bureau operations, and field technology for ABC News. This role will work closely with key internal and external stakeholders to set the strategic direction for complex field coverage and various bureau production needs and will lead the global operations teams for ABC News within the following locations: Secaucus, NJ; Washington DC; Los Angeles, CA; and London, UK.

This is a highly collaborative role that integrates with various partners across the news division. The ideal candidate must be well-versed in live field production, with a proven ability of leading in a dynamic and global team environment. This role requires soft skills, a consultative mindset that will work effectively to support unique regional responsibilities of our ABC News teams and bureaus, and strong leadership abilities to operate as a single field unit. This role is expected to leverage the best people, technology, and workflows to deliver the highest caliber live production for all ABC News programs and platforms.

The Executive Director will lead a global operational and technical team comprised of union and non-union positions.

Responsibilities of this role will include:
• Set the strategic direction for the field teams to meet the unique needs of the shows and platforms within the ABC News portfolio.
• Promoting an inclusive and collaborative working environment and being a culture change agent.
• Manage and prioritize capital budgets for all field and bureaus.
• Lead the research, testing and development of field technologies for use in breaking news and planned events.
• Manage expertise across multiple geographical locations.
• Anticipate the needs of a dynamic news operation and execute creative, timely solutions.
• 24/7 readiness to respond to breaking news anywhere in the world.
• Occasional travel based on business and production need.

Expertise and understanding in the following functional areas are vital to success in this role:
• Experience in the full field remote technology and operations workflows, including transmission, audio/video signal flow, intercom, IP based production systems, and redundancy.
• Flexibility and preparedness to adapt to unplanned requests and events.
• Managing a union and non-union workforce and maintaining knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, including NABET/CWA & DGA.
• Define key metrics, business and technical requirements, design, and roadmaps to drive project initiatives.
• Collaborate with business and technical stakeholders to provide innovative leadership.
• Working knowledge of the US network pool in Washington, DC.
• Create and present technical strategies to a variety of audiences including ABC platforms, executives, peers, and staff.

Required Qualifications:
• Minimum 10 years industry experience in live news production, field and remote production, and management of a large team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and experience in interacting with technical and non-technical management.
• Schedule flexibility around the 24/7 news cycles.
• Ability to manage teams across time zones.
• Strong industry contacts across media/production technology/systems, vendors, and industry groups.
• Experience working with Labor Relations, Human Resources, and Finance business partners on complex matters.

ABC News is America's No. 1 news source, providing straightforward, fact-driven journalism across broadcast, streaming, digital and audio. ABC's award-winning programs include ''Good Morning America,'' ''World News Tonight with David Muir,'' ''Nightline,'' ''20/20,'' ''This Week with George Stephanopoulos,'' ''GMA3: What You Need to Know,'' and ''The View''. Other platforms include ABC News Live, the network's 24/7 streaming channel; ABC News Studios, a premium, narrative nonfiction original production house; ABC News Digital, comprised of a diverse audience of more than 53 million monthly average users; ABC Audio, the premier source for radio news and industry-leading podcasts; FiveThirtyEight, renowned data journalism organization; and NewsOne, the affiliate news service. Based in New York City, ABC News is comprised of three US bureaus and eight international bureaus, with a presence in more than 20 countries around the world.

The hiring range for this position in New York and Washington DC is $159,400- $219,230. 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 ABC News:

The Disney Entertainment Television group creates original entertainment and news content for the Company's streaming platforms and its cable and broadcast networks.

This position is with American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., which is part of a business we call ABC News.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-g314px-216-73-216-34-42 in your application.