Supervising Real Time Graphics Developer

Job description

This position is responsible for the creation, development and deployment of designs, animations, and real-time graphics directories at an expert level of understanding and skill. The Supervising Real-Time Graphics Developer manages directory maintenance and new graphic builds independently or while leading a team. They communicate with teammates, partners, sponsors and executive-level stakeholders to help set expectations and ensure on-time delivery. They will lead a business segment requiring specialty knowledge of specific aspects of the products and services provided and created by the Graphics Innovation team. They will develop plant-wide workflows and processes, collaborating across organizations to implement and maintain. This role is expected to proactively provide and anticipate technical support themselves or by delegating. They manage the development and maintenance of training and on-boarding programs. This is a creative role that requires the ability to innovate, learn quickly and collaborate with others under varying deadlines to maintain the quality of ESPN on-air product.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership in the technological growth of the department – driving innovation, researching new products, advising on potential vendors, and assisting with the stability and troubleshooting of our rendering, file storage and play out systems.
• Own and manage a specialty business segment such as touchscreen, interactive, virtual studio, data visualization, augmented reality, etc…
• Manage a team of direct reports.
• Plan, build, maintain and update complex graphic directories independently or while leading a team of developers.
• Provide team leadership, direction, troubleshooting and support for innovative system or plant-wide workflows.
• Primarily utilize Vizrt, Ross Xpression, Unreal Engine or HTML in the process of graphics creation, development, and deployment of the highest-level creative.
• Utilize other graphics software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After-Effects, Adobe Illustrator, and Cinema4D, to aid in the creation of designs and animations.
• Utilize and understand internal proprietary software and workflows.
• Clearly communicate a creative vision and manage expectations with clients while ensuring effective delegation of assignments within the Graphics Innovation Team while keeping management informed and involved when necessary.
• Proactively research, plan for and answer technical questions with respect to design/animation techniques and systems in use at a highly proficient level independently, by delegation or by leading a group.
• Create system-wide workflows, scripts and processes.
• Coordinate with management to provide feedback, improve processes, and apply best practices to all project workflows.
• Plan and implement hardware and/or software upgrades and new studio builds.
• Teach, mentor and assist co-workers and manage the creation and maintenance of on-boarding and training programs.
• Proactively collaborate within the ESPN Creative Studio to contribute on long-term initiatives.
• Translate project details and creative direction into custom design, animation, and layout solutions.
• Push creativity and software skills to the highest levels, find and exploit new technology, and actively communicate on all phases of a project to maintain the quality of ESPN’s on-air product.
• Manage special assignments such as in-house/off-site training and technical support for packagers, remote freelancers, and vendors.
• Observe graphic format deviations and enforce ESPN graphic look.
• Prepare image files for programs.
• Regularly contribute innovative ideas, displaying the desire to push designs to the highest level, and learn new software to enhance individual versatility in the department.
• Adhere to proper file management techniques to ensure efficient archiving and subsequent retrieval of projects.
• Recognize, report, and help troubleshoot equipment/software/work environment issues.
• Adhere to all administrative responsibilities, including time entry and daily reporting requirements.
• Maintain high standards of efficiency, consistency, accuracy, creativity and timely delivery of all requests.
• Track and report on value of contributions.

Basic Requirements:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience creating and managing graphics in a live production setting at a major studio, network or production company with at minimum of 2 years of leadership experience.
• Ability to lead, manage and train developers at all levels.
• Ability to simultaneously contribute to multiple projects playing different roles, including project managing, leading a team or contributing as an individual.
• Expert-level knowledge and understanding of a real-time graphics platform.
• Expert-level grasp of broadcast and television production technologies.
• Industry-leading 2D and 3D animation skills and excellent use of effective type layout.
• Drive to learn, create, and apply cutting-edge concepts, techniques and software and the ability to share skills with others.
• Ability to lead teams while giving and taking direction well.
• In possession of exceptional individual and team communication skills, setting expectations with executives and sponsors.
• In possession of advanced conceptualization skills, offers unique creative solutions at a plant-wide level and the has the ability to communicate a creative vision to stakeholders and other creatives.
• Ability to forecast, plan and implement new hardware, software and studio builds.
• Highly motivated, works well under pressure, effectively prioritizes multiple assignments and changes direction easily.
• Keen attention to detail, spelling and grammar.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours and occasionally travel and work in a live-TV setting.
• Applicants must provide a link to their online portfolio/demo reel.

Preferred Requirements:

• Minimum of 10 years of live broadcast sport or news graphics experience encompassing event and studio workflows.
• Experience managing people and projects.
• Experience presenting creative to clients, stakeholders, executives and sponsors.
• Expert-level knowledge and understanding of Vizrt and Trio software.
• Experience with or understanding of graphics playout in a live setting.
• Good understanding of 3D graphics, modeling and animation concepts with experience in Cinema4D, Maya, Unreal Engine or other 3D animation programs.
• Strong interest and knowledge of sports and sports culture.

Basic Education:

High School Diploma

Preferred Education:

College Degree in related field

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