Job Description
The Vice President, Local Media Production for will play a key leadership role in managing and overseeing the day-to-day television broadcasts for individual MLB teams. This position will work closely with SVP, MLB Teams, Coordinating Producers, Producers, Directors, and On-Air Talent to ensure high-quality and engaging broadcasts that align with the network's standards. The VP will offer feedback, develop talent and ensure smooth communication across all stakeholders, while also fostering creative and innovative approaches to sports broadcasting.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as the primary point of contact between MLB and production personnel and individual Major League Baseball teams for all production-related matters.
- Manage assigned freelance Coordinating Producers to ensure that they are adhering to MLB's standards for all Broadcasts. This includes, but is not limited to, the development of their individual career growth.
- Lead the recruitment and hiring process for top-level on-air talent and production personnel, ensuring that the Network attracts and retains the best in the industry. Collaborate with Major League Baseball teams to negotiate competitive rates and contract terms that align with both talent expectations and budgetary constraints, while fostering strong relationships with agents and management to facilitate smooth negotiations.
- Provide direct feedback and mentorship to On-Air Talent, Producers, and Directors to enhance the quality of programming.
- Hold regularly scheduled meetings with Coordinating Producers to discuss performance, production goals, and team-specific broadcast needs.
- Work closely with the MLB Network Coordinating Producer to address the day-to-day needs of broadcasts, ensuring seamless execution of live events. This includes coordinating production schedules, resource allocation, and troubleshooting any operational challenges that may arise during broadcasts. Maintain open lines of communication to align on production objectives, quality standards, and innovative strategies to enhance viewer experience.
- Ensure all broadcasts are consistent in quality, adhere to the league and network's brand standards, and maintain the highest levels of professionalism and viewer engagement.
- Collaborate with Producers and Directors to ensure all technical, creative, and logistical aspects of the broadcasts are properly executed.
- Assist in any other broadcast packages that are assigned to the Local Media Group.
- Evaluate and implement new technologies, storytelling techniques, and production methods to enhance the viewer experience.
- Monitor ratings, audience feedback, and other key performance indicators to continually improve production and content delivery.
- Assist and help oversee budgets, scheduling, and resource allocation to ensure efficient use of personnel and equipment for each broadcast.
- Foster a collaborative and creative working environment across teams, ensuring consistent communication and problem-solving.
- Other such duties as required.
Qualifications and Skills:
- 10+ years of experience in remote sports broadcasting, with at least 5 years in a leadership or executive role.
- Proven experience working in live television production, ideally within professional sports (Major League Baseball experience preferred).
- Strong understanding of all aspects of television production, including directing, producing, and talent management.
- Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple teams and provide clear feedback.
- Ability to travel regularly and work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, in line with the baseball season.
- Deep knowledge of baseball and a passion for the sport is highly preferred.
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities in high-pressure, live broadcast environments.
- Proven track record of innovation and creativity in sports broadcasting.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to inspire and lead a team toward achieving common production goals.
- Must demonstrate strong leadership and people management skills, and the ability to develop talent internally.
- Proven ability to understand creative concepts and build processes that ensure timely delivery of desired content.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as requested.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Possess visual acuity sufficient to perform required tasks.
- Possess manual dexterity sufficient to perform required tasks.
- Possess a level of hearing sufficient for effective interaction with stakeholders by various means, including in-person, via phone, etc.
Education: A bachelor's degree is required; Communications, Broadcast Journalism or related major is highly preferable.
Position Reports to: SVP, Executive Producer, Local Media
Work Classification: Fully Remote Position: This employee is able to, and the Company is permitting them to perform the majority of their work remotely, as defined in our Employee Handbooks. Work classifications may be changed or modified at any time by the Company.
Top MLB Network Perks & Benefits:
- Exceptional Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage
- Company Contributed 401K Plan
- Paid Time Off and Holidays
- Family Leave Benefits
- Commuter Benefits
- Discounts at MLB Store | MLBShop.com
- Disability Benefits (short term and long term)
- Life and Accidental Death Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
- Training & Development Programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
Why MLB Network?
MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans, with studios located in Secaucus, N.J., just minutes from New York City. Featuring live regular season and Postseason game telecasts, original programming, highlights, insights and analysis from the best in the business, MLB Network produces baseball content for delivery to multiple media platforms. Cutting-edge technology is used to create MLB Network's Emmy Award-winning programming via roles in live studio and remote production, operations, engineering, media management, creative services, social media and others.
MLB Network is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. We also only consider qualified applicants' criminal histories when required by legal requirements.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email us at MLBNHR@mlb.com. Requests received for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.
Are you ready to Step Up to the Plate? Apply below!