OVERVIEW
A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.
Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.
NPR seeks an Audio Engineering Manager to oversee day-to-day operations at our broadcast facilities in Culver City, California (NPR West). This includes managing a team of audio engineers and allocating resources to support NPR’s content creation. This position is responsible for a wide range of technical and logistical duties, which include maintaining disaster recovery readiness and responding to 24x7x365 production and scheduling requests. Occasional on-call duties as a remote backfill for Audio Engineering Supervisors at NPR’s Headquarters in Washington, DC and NPR’s New York Bureau is also required.
The successful candidate will be a proactive, collaborative individual with a strong background in audio engineering and broadcast, the ability and desire to learn new skills and technologies, and a belief in the mission of NPR. A history of empathetic leadership, interdisciplinary cooperation, and developing staff are key components of this position.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee all technical aspects of content creation and broadcast operations at NPR West
- Collaborate on development and enforcement of production workflows within the Audio Engineering team at NPR West, as well as between multiple departments and locations
- Provide 24x7 immediate response to technology outages and/or staffing emergencies
- Provide occasional remote coverage for on-call scheduling supervisors at NPR Headquarters in Washington, DC and NPR’s New York Bureau, making schedule changes and arranging backfill for NPR HQ and NY Audio Engineer call outs
- Maintain current service levels and high-quality standards for audio production
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships across the organization, including regular engagement with content creators, support groups, and management to identify and anticipate needs and allocate resources accordingly
- Manage, support, train, and develop a team of audio engineers whose work encompasses broadcast and digital content creation
- Mentor and advise teams on the use of NPR technologies, including LAWO and LAWO VSM broadcast systems, LineScheduler automation software, Pro Tools and MTE digital audio workstations, iZotope RX, Waves plugins, and ISDN/AOIP codecs from manufacturers such as Telos, Comrex, TieLine, and GatesAir
- Ensure compliance with the NABET collective bargaining agreement
- Contribute to writing and maintenance of documentation for critical broadcast and production systems
- See to regular testing and maintenance of disaster recovery systems and recommends updates and modifications as required
- Provide backup operational management and technical support to NPR’s Washington and New York Audio Engineering teams
- Leads hiring searches for Audio Engineering positions at NPR West, participates in hiring process for positions in other NPR locations and departments as required
- Supervises at least 8 direct reports, including preparing their regular performance reviews, and making effective recommendations regarding any hiring, promotion, and discipline for these positions
The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 7+ years of professional production, audio, and/or broadcast experience
- 4+ years of supervisory experience or team leadership
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Effective on-site and remote team leadership, development, and delegation
- Ability to cultivate a welcoming, inclusive workplace environment, where people from diverse backgrounds feel valued and able to do their best work
- Knowledge of broadcast automation, audio/video router configuration, audio transport, and production workflows
- Thorough understanding of audio engineering concepts and principles
- Ability to work independently, multitask, prioritize, and thrive under remote supervision
- Excellent communication skills (written, oral, documentation creation, etc.)
- Adept at identifying and solving complex problems with tact and discretion
- Customer service focused mentality
- Understanding of emerging broadcast and audio technologies
- Ability to effectively translate highly technical topics and concepts to editorial staff and management
- Ability and desire to identify and learn new systems, tools, and technologies
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with formal HR disciplinary investigations and related issues, especially in a union environment as a supervisor, shop steward, etc.
- Audio for video experience
- Knowledge of current AOIP transmission protocols and hardware, such as Ravenna, AES67, Opus, Tieline, Comrex etc.
- Familiarity with IT networking
- Familiarity with digital audio workstations and production workflow, especially incorporating AVID Pro Tools
- Familiarity with media asset management systems
- Experience working in broadcast and/or master control facilities
- Experience with digital audio routing, both analog and digital consoles, and matrix routing
- Experience with automation, control, and monitoring applications
- Familiarity with NPR’s content and the public media ecosystem
EDUCATION REQUIREMENT
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in broadcast engineering, content production, communications, or management.
WORK LOCATION
- Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role include duties that are better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be onsite at the Culver City, CA office at least three (3) days a week. The employee must also reside in an NPR supported location based on the number of onsite days they choose.
JOB TYPE
- This is a full time, exempt position.
COMPENSATION
Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $126,072 - $140,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.
Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.
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NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.
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