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- Tasks: Ensure smooth delivery of media content and manage live events in a dynamic broadcast environment.
- Company: Join Encompass Digital Media, a global leader in video and audio solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous annual leave, health benefits, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Flexible shift patterns with opportunities for career growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of broadcasting technology and make an impact on high-profile live events.
- Qualifications: Experience in broadcast operations and strong media management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
Hours of work: Day and night shifts, averaging 40 hours per week
About us:
Encompass Digital Media is a global managed services company focused on supporting TV networks, broadcasters, sports leagues and digital platforms with the delivery of their linear/nonlinear video and audio content across television, radio and digital platforms. We design, implement and operate reliable video and audio solutions that capture, process and deliver clients’ content from any source, in any format, to any destination in the most efficient and reliable way possible.
Main Purpose:
The Playout Director plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth delivery of service requirements within a busy transmission suite, acting as the key component in successful content delivery all the way through to playout and distribution. This position incorporates three fundamental disciplines which are Media Management, Live event MCR and Playout for a tier 1 public service broadcaster.
The role will be working across a shift rotation of dayshifts and nightshifts 24/7/365 and at any one time working on one of the three positions per shift that delivers those three core functions. Effective communication skills and professionalism is required to deal directly with the client, routinely managing both server playout and high-profile live events and working alongside a live continuity announcer. The team of Playout Directors will be working together across the service requirements, implementing and maintaining ‘best practice’ SOPs and delivering maximum service levels to ensure client satisfaction.
Principal Responsibilities:
Media Management
- Provide the media management Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week across the year.
- Coordinate missing material lists –
- Deliver transmission master material to playout in a timely manner, some programming may be delivered within a few hours of transmission.
- Coordinate the handling of proxy files for ‘late and live’ content, commercial copy or any material failing Auto QC and/or integrity checks
- Manually ingest content, including but not limited to, recordings of incoming live content.
- Multi-point spot checks per all programme content. Any faults detected will need to be reported back to key stakeholders.
- Coordinating quick turnaround content for TX, including recording line feeds, playing as lives or fast track ingest. Logging timecodes and making sure the scheduled playout is updated.
- Overseeing automated content management processes and responding to any issues.
- Manually push material to playout for TX if required.
- Spot check failures notified to the key stakeholders to facilitate correction and/or redelivery of the material.
- Coordinating the delivery, ingest and processing of both advanced schedules and the daily final TX Schedule
- Supplying content to the client as and when requested
- Managing commercial content with the commercial suppliers and arrange and manage any redelivery due to QC failures.
- QC checking access services content.
Live Event MCR
- Working knowledge of the BT and client fibre networks.
- Knowledge of television specifications in HD and SD, analogue and digital and audio specifications.
- To understand the EDM and client network and facilities and to enact back-up procedures in case of emergencies.
- To operate the playout automation system to enable video recording and playback of material.
- Responsible for the line bookings of incoming connectivity to meet live event requirements.
- Provide first line support and be the initial point of contact between any outside source and EDM playout.
- Coordinating with the contribution partners to perform a line up and communicating clear and precise details with the client and playout.
- Monitor and manage the incoming feeds during any live events.
Playout
- Appending, monitoring, and maintaining routine daily schedules provided by the client as they play out from the broadcast automation.
- Understanding and routinely monitoring the various core elements of the Service, including video, audio, graphics, SCTE, delay services, access services, blanking events.
- Monitoring the various hand-off points, including OTT and reporting and escalating any issues
- Exceptional knowledge of the playout automation, understanding the levels of manual intervention available and confidence to use them.
- Quick and direct response to resolve any issues with any element within the playout chain that will impact the service delivery.
- Clear understanding and efficient enactment of escalation procedures both internally and to the client.
- Coordinating with the Playout director handling Media coordination and Live event MCR
- Monitoring missing material within the playout automation.
- Responding to client requests for schedule amendments and maintaining the schedule integrity.
- Running live events within the automation system, switching to the incoming feed, communicating side by side with PA’s or over talkback with the clients live production teams to coordinate taking commercial breaks, coming off at the end of the live and timing out the schedule as per client provided guidelines.
- Recording the live event ahead of content QC and managing the schedule ahead of a quick turnaround repeat airing.
- Working closely with the on-site continuity announcers to coordinate both live and pre-recorded voiceovers for air.
- Clear and informative logging and reporting of all service impacting incidents and deviations from the delivered schedule.
Experience / Knowledge:
- Must have proven experience within an MCR/operations environment in a broadcast operation.
- Strong understanding and experience of media management processes.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of playout automation systems (Grass Valley AMPP preferred).
- Extensive experience of running high-profile live events.
- Excellent understanding of the playout chain including distribution to the affiliates.
Personal Skills:
- Enthusiasm and commitment to adopt modern technologies and best practice operations solutions.
- Strong work ethic and comfortable with shift work and unsociable hours.
- Excellent communication and people skills.
- Able to work under pressure and prioritise workload.
- Eager, quick to learn and a collaborator.
Benefits include:
- 264 hours annual leave per annum, inclusive of bank holidays
- Matched up to 5% pension contributions and independent pension advice
- Health benefits including eye care vouchers, health cash plan and 24/7 employee assistance programme
- Income protection and life assurance benefits
- Regular wellness and engagement events
- Performance recognition awards
Playout Director employer: Encompass Digital Media, Inc.
Contact Detail:
Encompass Digital Media, Inc. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Playout Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to the Playout Director role. Think about how your experience aligns with media management and live event coordination, and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! If you have any relevant projects or experiences, create a portfolio or a demo reel. This is especially important in the broadcast industry where practical skills can set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Encompass Digital Media.
We think you need these skills to ace Playout Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Playout Director role. Highlight your experience in media management and live event operations, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with what we do at Encompass Digital Media!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since effective communication is crucial for this role, don’t shy away from showcasing your people skills in your application. Use clear and concise language, and maybe even share a brief example of how you’ve successfully managed client interactions in the past.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Be sure to emphasise any previous roles you've had in MCR or broadcast operations. If you've worked with playout automation systems like Grass Valley AMPP, make that known! We love seeing candidates who have hands-on experience that matches our needs.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do – just follow the prompts and you’ll be set!
How to prepare for a job interview at Encompass Digital Media, Inc.
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of media management processes and playout automation systems, especially if you have experience with Grass Valley AMPP. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves direct client interaction and teamwork, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to give examples of how you've effectively communicated during high-pressure situations, especially during live events.
✨Understand the Shift Dynamics
Familiarise yourself with the demands of working shifts, including nights and weekends. Be prepared to discuss how you manage your time and maintain productivity during unsociable hours, as this is crucial for the Playout Director role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to live event management or media coordination. Think through how you would handle issues like missing material or technical failures, and be ready to explain your thought process and decision-making.