Producer II, Event

Overview

The Producer II (Event) role is responsible for directing the creative development, editorial coordination, collaboration with talent and production teams, as well as overseeing budgets and administrative facets for assigned sports event productions. Serving as a senior production authority, this position ensures the broadcast quality, editorial vision, and overall presentation from initial concept through live execution. This independent leadership role demands managing intricate live broadcasts, guiding storytelling, and supervising cross-functional personnel to uphold high editorial, creative, and operational standards for telecasts.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior production executives to shape editorial strategies and develop innovative content concepts that heighten live sports programming and audience engagement.
• Plan and manage comprehensive event production operations for complex live sporting broadcasts involving extensive full-time, temporary, and matrix teams.
• Lead production scheduling, broadcast format determination, workflow management, and technical specifications to ensure seamless execution across various platforms.
• Mentor and direct production staff—including associate producers, coordinators, and assistants—in crafting telecast elements such as opens, teases, graphics, features, and live event content.
• Serve as a crucial editorial consultant to on-air talent, guiding content direction and performance to maximize storytelling impact.
• Coordinate with technical leadership to guarantee all event coverage complies with ESPN's creative and operational standards.
• Organize and lead editorial meetings to align teams on coverage strategy, production priorities, and story development.
• Promote a collaborative and accountable team culture that champions innovation and consistency across productions.
• Oversee critical decisions regarding replay use, graphics, interviews, sponsorships, and promotional content before and during live events.
• Steer editorial focus and content presentation during live telecasts, making real-time calls on storylines, replays, and announcer information.
• Produce assigned sports telecasts autonomously, exercising advanced editorial judgment and incorporating strategic input from senior leaders.
• Evaluate crew performance, providing constructive feedback to enhance execution and foster personal and team growth.
• Exhibit leadership under high-pressure conditions, nurturing strong interdepartmental communication and professional collaboration.
• Support the career development and ongoing coaching of production personnel, fostering future leadership talent.
• Make creative, operational, and budget decisions that balance editorial objectives, resource management, and business goals.
• Resolve complex production challenges by partnering with internal teams, remote operations, vendors, and external stakeholders.
• Engage in department initiatives such as workflow improvements, strategic planning, and production reviews to enhance overall effectiveness.
• Identify methods to increase efficiency and storytelling quality across sports and events managed.
• Act as a trusted expert and leader on assigned sports, offering guidance during complex or high-profile production scenarios.

Required Qualifications

• Proven capability to autonomously produce compelling live sports event broadcasts, managing projects from concept through post-production evaluation.
• Deep understanding of various sports production workflows including on-site, remote, hybrid, and emerging models, with extensive line production experience.
• Expertise in live sports broadcast operations such as replay management, graphics integration, editorial decisions, event timing, and technical collaboration.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and project management skills, capable of handling competing priorities effectively under pressure.
• Strong aptitude for crafting engaging storylines, editorial content, and innovative production elements to boost viewer engagement.
• Comprehensive knowledge of sports rules, athletes, competitive structures, and industry trends relevant to assigned disciplines.
• Experience in budgeting, staffing, resource planning, and logistics for high-quality live productions.
• Skill in managing complex production difficulties, risk mitigation, and decisive live broadcast decision-making.
• Ability to foster strong relationships with talent, league officials, teams, venue personnel, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in mentoring and developing junior production staff and fostering their professional growth.
• Capable of impacting production strategy, enhancing workflows, and contributing to broader operational and creative team objectives.
• A minimum of seven years’ progressive experience in remote or on-site live sports production, including leadership of major events and cross-functional teams.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Additional Information

• Role requires flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Willingness to travel is essential.
• May be called upon to support high-profile or large-scale productions and remote production assignments.
• Must capitalize on fast-paced, deadline-driven environments while managing multiple priorities and stakeholders.

Compensation

The salary range for this position in Bristol, CT, ranges from $139,200 to $186,600 per year. Actual salary will be based on internal equity and candidates’ experience, skills, job location, and other factors. Compensation may include bonuses and/or long-term incentives, plus a comprehensive benefits package.