Manager, Stats & Information Group

Job Description

Departmental Summary:

ESPN's Stats & Information Group produces world-class data, insights and storytelling to ensure sports fans trust ESPN for depth and perspective. We are All-Star Teammates who Focus on Quality and drive Innovation. And every day, we strive to be Curious, Inclusive, and Accountable, all while Sweating the Details and Serving Sports Fans by Being One.

Position Summary:

Manager, Stats & Information Group (SIG) serves as a key leader in the support of the biggest storylines in sports and is a front-line leader of editorial and operational efforts. The Manager represents and helps cultivate SIG's daily and long-term engagement with other groups across ESPN, and advocates for SIG's content ideas and executions. The Manager is a daily, consistent link to groups that rely on or support SIG's content generation - Studio and Event Production, Digital Media, Technology, and others.

Managers establish and lead daily production priorities, as well as the most efficient means to accomplish them through collaboration across SIG and with key stakeholders. Managers lead and/or execute various content, personnel, and project initiatives, such as data development and management, long-term strategic planning, sports content teams, staff hiring, and business-related projects.

The Stats & Analysis area within SIG works with the richest sports data sources in the world to serve fans directly and in service to internal storytelling and product needs. You will manage the collection and distribution of that data in a live, collaborative, and fun newsroom environment, leveraging the knowledge of an invested team of Analysts to create great product experiences and produce insightful editorial content and storylines for use across ESPN's platforms.

Growing and developing people is an important aspect of this role. Managers are committed to investing the time and care to coach and teach our staff, as well as developing them as professionals. We believe that great support, honest, straight-talk feedback, and holding people accountable is foundational to our success.

Managers are part of SIG's Management team and will contribute to the direction of the department. They stay current with company, industry, and technology trends, as well as the latest metrics and storytelling tools.

Ideal candidates can demonstrate potential in the following areas:
• Sports subject-matter expertise, including comprehensive understanding of sports rules and scoring, and how sports data is used in media and storytelling
• Ability to lead a large group of professionals in the accurate, timely production of sports data and content that translates into compelling, fan-facing executions
• The ability to take proactive action and communicate clear priorities to staffers and partners in a newsroom environment
• Strong people management skills and a demonstrated ability to hold staff accountable to high standards
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A strategic mindset that balances short- and long-term impact

Responsibilities:
• Work regular production shifts as an on-duty leader.
• Coordinate the allocation of personnel and resources in a live, collaborative production environment.
• Evaluate staffer performance and develop people, including 6-9 full-time direct reports.
• Provide direction and coaching to staff, as well as positive and constructive feedback to management colleagues at all levels.
• Represent the team's content and production needs in collaboration with Disney Technology teams to improve accurate data intake and management. Contribute to the refinement of process as needed, and ensure newsroom staff is informed and trained.
• Make strategic decisions around staff assignments, projects, etc., in consideration of business priorities, competency, and development opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to integrate SIG data, content, and coverage onto all existing and emerging ESPN platforms and coverage areas.
• Manage various operational aspects of the department, such as staff schedules, budget items, compliance with Disney/ESPN/SIG policies, etc.
• Take a leading role in coordinating projects across SIG, and at times representing SIG across ESPN/Disney, with vendors, or other third-party stakeholders.
• Represent and champion the decisions and direction from SIG, ESPN, and Disney leaders.
• Provide regular updates to management peers and appropriate staff on areas of oversight and projects.
• Prepare for and actively participate in management and staff meetings.

Qualifications:
• 6+ years' experience in business or media
• 3+ years' experience in a content-focused role
• 1+ years' experience managing people and/or projects
• Experience leading and/or coaching people
• Thorough knowledge of a wide variety of sports
• Demonstrated commitment to accuracy and keen attention to detail
• Full availability for this position, which will include nights, weekends and holidays

Preferred Qualifications:
• 4+ years' experience working with sports statistics and storytelling
• Experience in a sports news or data production environment
• Experience fostering and leading a diverse team culture with staff from different backgrounds and experience levels
• Experience working with technology such as data feeds, data warehouses, and custom software tools
• Strong people management skills and a demonstrated ability to hold staff accountable
• Knowledge of television and/or digital production usage of data on-air or through research applications
• Spanish-language writing and speaking skills

Required Education:

High School diploma or equivalent

Preferred Education:

College degree or equivalent

Additional Information: (i.e. physical requirements, holiday, nights, weekend shifts, etc.)

Position works nights (almost exclusively), weekends, and holidays.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r0peee-3-144-230-82-42 in your application.