Director I
Job ID Location Bristol, Connecticut, United States Business ESPN Date posted May 04, 2026
Job Summary
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, contribute ideas to help realize a vision for a show, manage personnel and facilities related to the production, and work in conjunction with Coordinating Producers and Producers to provide support and guidance on content philosophy and execution. The role also includes coordinating and disseminating show information to production and operational units, building strong teams, demonstrating leadership qualities, coaching, developing, and mentoring Associate Directors and Stage Managers, and providing consistent and comprehensive written feedback to Directing Management. This role will initially support Spanish-language content.
Responsibilities
- Direct live and taped productions from the control room or mobile unit; coordinate and execute all aspects of scripted and unscripted shows.
- During automated productions – code rundowns, facs studio and remote guests, troubleshoot technical issues, possibly select music and coordinate liveshots in the absence of an AD.
- Provide clear, concise, and orderly communication of traffic to all involved during each production.
- Troubleshoot, in real-time, operational issues that arise during assigned production.
- Oversee lighting, camera blocking, visual effects and graphics integration, and timing to ensure a quality presentation.
- Participate in meetings with Managers and Producers to develop concepts, editorial themes and specific narratives for productions.
- In show preparation, coordinate with Associate Director the assigned pre-production elements and review the rundown for accuracy.
- Contribute to the planning and organizing of assigned projects. Manage personnel and facilities as they relate to assigned projects and interact with other departments for a common goal.
- Provide ongoing feedback to Associate Directors and Stage Managers as well as other team members, and document in written form to Management. Feedback should be thoughtful and comprehensive with clear, detailed examples.
- Observe Associate Directors and Stage Managers outside of the show unit to directly contribute to their development.
- Take responsibility for personal development through independent observation and training. Participate 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.
- Practice and maintain departmental performance standards as they apply to leadership, communication, and personal development, and consistently perform all 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.
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 may also 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 other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
Equal Employment Opportunity
ESPN Productions, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
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