Director, Global Field Engineering - TNT Sports, Eurosport, CNN and WBD Networks

Location: London, 160 Old Street

Remote Type: Hybrid

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

WBD Global Field Engineering...

The Global Field Engineering (GFE) team are a dynamic and highly skilled group of broadcast engineers, who are tasked with managing and deploying a wide array of technical equipment used to deliver live Sports and News television broadcasts for Warner Bros. Discovery networks, at remote locations around the world including TNT Sports, Eurosport, and CNN.
Based across the USA, UK & UAE, the team deliver seamless broadcast operations, often working in fast-paced, demanding environments.

Just this year, the growing London based team have brought, European, Premier League and FA Cup football, The French Open at Roland Garros, Ultimate Cycling and US-based REMI operations for NHL, MLB, MLS, and NASCAR to sports fans internationally, with plans to deliver the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Snooker, UFC as well as many others.

Additionally, the team supports the CNN network, providing real time coverage across a range of breaking news events across the world, including the Davos WEF in Switzerland, the Presidential Inauguration in Washington DC, the Papal funeral in Rome, NATO meetings in the Netherlands, news shows in Ukraine and a Presidential state visit to the UK. The team also supports with on the ground news coverage across fast moving news cycles, with plans to cover New Years Eve news specials as London venues.

Your New Role…

The role of Director, Global Field Engineering reports to the VP of Global Field Engineering and is accountable for managing the International Field Engineering Team. This position is responsible for ensuring the efficient deployment of field engineering resources across TNT Sports, Eurosport and CNN. Key responsibilities include delivering exceptional services to both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring compliance, and driving efficiencies and revenue growth.

This role will be split between the Old Street and Chiswick offices, as well as requiring frequent travel to sports events to evaluate onsite live productions, consult with onsite customers, and help identify execution efficiencies.

Your Role Accountabilities…

Team Management

• Responsible for leadership, hiring, training and oversight for ~12 team members across EMEA (1 Supervisor and a team of Engineers/Associates).
• Managing a team of over 12 staff in the Global Field Engineering Team, responsible for providing 24/7 broadcast and IT services to support live sports and news broadcasts at any business-determined location.
• Leading the evolution of team capabilities, including recruitment, onboarding, and delegation of responsibilities, to adapt to changing workloads and technological complexities.
• Mentoring and developing team members, providing training and development opportunities to enhance performance. Conducting regular performance reviews, offering constructive feedback and fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Collaboration and Process Improvement

• Actively engage Eurosport leaders and TNT Sport technical operations teams in planning and staffing event requirements, as well as to strengthen partnerships.
• Assisting the VP with setting out the strategy and department goals, ensuring they accurately reflect the overall strategy and priorities of key stakeholders at any point in time.
• Managing budget and staffing requirements, effectively managing fluctuations in resources and technology requirements.
• Working closely with the leadership of News & Sports Planning and peers to develop deployment assignments for the International Field Engineering, improve processes, and enhance resource efficiency.
• Establishing regular communication with the regional business and cross T&O departments with a focus on service, supporting their needs and requirements.
• Exploring and implementing new field technology and best practices to optimise remote executions in line with WBD global strategies.
• Overseeing MFP (REMI) kits adoption and workflow changes, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing field operations.
• Leading workstreams, working closely with News and Sports Production, and LPP Engineering teams to ensure cohesive scheduling technology strategies.

Remote Execution and Event Coordination

• Frequent travel to sports events to evaluate onsite live productions, consult with onsite customers, and help identify execution efficiencies.
• Ensuring the Global FE teams successfully and timely deliver field production technology executions to meet live broadcast deadlines.
• Ensuring field gear readiness with an emphasis on upcoming key field production needs. Working with the Sports & News teams to align scheduling resource availability with commercial objectives and maximise revenue opportunities.
• Overseeing highly visible event productions of live broadcasts in cooperation with Sport & News programming teams.

Qualifications & Experience...

• Proven experience in a senior events execution and field technology teams’ management role within a News and Sports media organisation.
• Extensive experience in live and sport field technology deployments and implementations.
• Strong leadership and team management skills demonstrating the ability to motivate, develop and inspire a team.
• Proven track record in directing successful teams, delivering to the highest standards.
• Adept at working collaboratively with other service delivery internal departments.
• Proactive in troubleshooting, problem-solving and avoidance of issues.
• Adaptable and flexible in a challenging, demanding, and fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to represent the department globally.
• Experience of budget and expense management.

#Tech

Hybrid Working - This role is advertised as a Hybrid work model, that combines remote and in-office work, following our current company policy and to be agreed with your Line Manager. Subject to any applicable laws, WBD / your Line Manager reserves the right to change this working agreement where this is essential to business needs and upon reasonable notice to you.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.