Broadcast Audio Operations Director

About the role

This role involves overseeing the technical aspects of Metopera's broadcast productions, which include live and pre-recorded opera performances. You will ensure the highest audio quality for global radio and cinema audiences, bringing a strong musical background to the engineering process. This position requires a blend of technical expertise, operational planning, and team coordination.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Plan, design, and maintain the Met's internal broadcast facilities, including equipment procurement and budgeting.
• Set up technical equipment for all broadcast and recording scenarios, covering microphones, wireless systems, cabling, mixing consoles, and voice-over booths.
• Provide technical and engineering assistance to Music Producers, preparing mixing boards and communicating microphone configurations.
• Coordinate audio technical aspects for Live in HD transmissions.
• Manage transmission operations for a global network of over 200 radio stations and internet streaming partners, ensuring end-to-end quality.
• Perform live broadcast mixing and recording, operating large-frame consoles with multiple microphones and managing live playback of pre-recorded segments.
• Record, edit, mix, and add music to radio features, interviews, promos, and trailers.
• Organize and communicate broadcast requirements to various internal departments and the Live in HD team.
• Schedule and assign tasks to broadcast engineers, both staff and freelance, and assist with recruitment and training.
• Manage relationships with key vendors, including contract negotiation, budgeting, scheduling, and service monitoring.
• Plan, budget, and supervise technical capital projects.
• Create annual equipment budgets and manage orders.
• Oversee the planning and execution of asset management, including long-term storage.

Requirements

• Minimum of 15 years of professional engineering experience in broadcast, studio, and remote recording.
• Prior experience in a supervisory role leading a team of engineers.
• Background in operations planning, design, and maintenance.
• Extensive training and knowledge in classical music.
• Experience with live recording and mixing, including large-frame consoles and digital audio workstations.
• Proficiency in post-production editing and mixing, with advanced ProTools skills.
• Experience with live on-air broadcast engineering.
• Understanding and adherence to broadcast standards.
• Experience with broadcast IP codecs.
• Familiarity with intercommunications systems such as RTS, Clearcom, or Riedel.
• Knowledge of IP networking for broadcast infrastructure.
• Technical maintenance engineering experience.
• Extensive experience with both analog and digital audio systems.
• Knowledge and experience with transmission technology.
• Television broadcast experience.
• Knowledge of new media technology.
• Experience with asset management systems like Soundminer, Enco, or Amazon Glacier.

Practical notes

This position requires flexibility for evening and weekend work, including weekly rehearsals and broadcasts. The role demands strong judgment, discretion, and interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse departments and external partners. The ability to perform effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines is essential.