Job Posting Title:
Director I
Req ID:
10145869
Job Description:
The Director I is responsible for the planning and line-directing live and taped Studio, Remote and REMI productions, in both conventional and automated control rooms. The Director I will be required to participate in pre- and post-production meetings, plus contribute ideas to help realize a vision for a show. The Director I will be responsible for managing personnel and facilities as they relate to the production. In addition, will work in conjunction with Coordinating Producers and Producers to provide support and guidance on content philosophy and execution, plus coordinate and disseminate show information to the production and operational units. The Director I will need to be a team builder with strong production and technical knowledge and demonstrate leadership qualities in all interactions and decisions. The Director I will be required to coach, develop and mentor Associate Directors and Stage Managers, and must provide consistent and comprehensive written feedback of their performance to Directing Management.
This role will initially support our Spanish-language content.
Responsibilities:
- Directs live and taped productions from the control room or mobile unit; coordinates and execute all aspects of scripted and unscripted shows.
- During automated productions – Directors will code rundowns; facs studio and remote guests; troubleshoot technical issues; possibly select music and coordinate liveshots in the absence of an AD.
- Provides clear, concise and orderly communication of traffic to all involved during each production.
- Troubleshoots, in real-time, operational issues that arise during assigned production.
- Oversees lighting, camera blocking, visual effects and graphics integration, and timing to ensure a quality presentation.
- Participates in meetings with Managers and Producers to develop the concepts, editorial themes and specific narratives for productions.
- In show preparation, coordinates with Associate Director the assigned pre-production elements and review the rundown for accuracy.
- Contributes to the planning and organizing of assigned projects. Manages personnel and facilities as they relate to assigned projects; interacts with other departments for a common goal.
- Provides ongoing feedback to Associate Directors and Stage Managers as well as other team members, and documents in written form to Management. Written feedback should be thoughtful and comprehensive with clear, detailed examples.
- Observes Associate Directors and Stage Manager outside of show unit to directly contribute to their development.
- Takes responsibility for personal development through independent observation and training. Participates in periodic clip review sessions with Managers and Director IIs to further develop directing skills.
- May be asked to provide written feedback for various show unit personnel, including but not limited to: Designers, VCS/OCTO ops, Editorial Graphic Producers, Producers and Coordinating Producers.
- Practices and maintains the departmental performance standards as they apply to leadership, communication, and personal development, and consistently perform all of the duties and functions required of the role.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 5 years of directing or related experience.
- In-depth knowledge and proficiency with live directing.
- In-depth knowledge and proficiency with production equipment and facilities.
- Strong ability to think and react quickly to rapidly changing situations in a high-pressure environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- In-depth ability to direct most assigned productions and specialty shows.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bilingual language skills in Spanish and English
Required Education:
- High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in broadcasting, communications, journalism or a closely related field
#ESPNMedia
The hiring range for this position in Bristol, CT is $115,500.00 to $154,800.00 per year. 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.
Job Posting Segment:
ESPN Sports Production
Job Posting Primary Business:
ESPN Directing
Primary Job Posting Category:
Show Direction
Employment Type:
Full time
Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Bristol, CT, USA
Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Date Posted:
2026-03-27