Technical Director, CNN

The Technical Director is responsible for switching fast-paced live news, pre-taped shows and segments, and original programming, which may include live special events. The role is a leadership position among the technical crew in the control room, requiring effective communication with editorial, engineering and design partners. The successful candidate joins a team of Technical Directors who are highly skilled, prepared, creative and collaborative.

• Switch fast-paced live news broadcasts, pre-productions and taped programmes on a Grass Valley Kayenne switcher.
• Accurately receive instructions from the Director to call up cameras, remotes, graphics, video, still images and various other sources, and route sources and images to studio monitors.
• Direct short interviews or other tapings on occasion.
• Build visual effects using the production switcher.
• Catalogue and organise effects for easy recall by the Technical Director team.
• Perform general operator-level maintenance as required to maintain equipment operation.
• Offer creative ideas to Directors, Producers, Engineers and Management to help create new workflows.
• Collaborate with the Graphics department and editorial partners.
• Communicate with management on goals and/or training needs to ensure continual growth and progression in skillset.
• Stay abreast of industry advancements and new technology.
• Document all on-air and off-air and equipment discrepancies, and contribute actively to SOP, workflow and show report documentation.
• Attend and contribute to production or project meetings.
• Serve as a technical lead and assist the technical crew during the show to ensure they perform their jobs to acceptable standards.
• Provide peer-to-peer training support to team members and new hires.

• Minimum of 4 years of industry experience in a live news environment.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure, 24/7 news environment.
• Operational knowledge of all control room positions.
• Familiarity with all aspects of live television and pre/post-production.
• Modern knowledge of control room computer systems.
• Significant industry experience technical directing and directing in a live news environment.
• Experience with computerised automation news systems.
• Desire to learn new technologies, processes and/or procedures as they are implemented, and willingness to work in other areas as assigned.

• Health insurance coverage.
• Employee wellness programme.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Paid holidays, sick time and vacation.
• Additional rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and programme-specific awards.