Director Operations

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS - MASTER CONTROL HUB - TECH Job Category: Operations Requisition Number: DIREC016618 Locations Showing 1 location Atlanta, GA 30318, USA Description About Gray Media: Today, we are a growing multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 117 full-power television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest-rated television station in average all-day ratings across 116 of such markets that were measured by Nielsen in 2025. We also own the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 46 markets and Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Our additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. About TECH: Job Summary/Description: The Director of Operations reports to the Senior Director of Centralcast and is responsible for the performance, efficiency, and culture of a large-scale, 24/7/365 broadcast Master Control environment. This role leads four direct reports — three shift-based Master Control Managers and one Manager of Content and Ingest — unifying them as one cohesive team with shared goals and a collective commitment to broadcast excellence. The ideal candidate is a seasoned broadcast television operations professional with deep Master Control experience, strong people management skills, and a hands‑on leadership style. This is a role for someone who commands technical respect, communicates with clarity, and develops the people around them with the heart of a teacher. Duties/Responsibilities Operational Leadership & Oversight — Provides direction and day-to-day oversight of all Centralcast Hub Master Control operations, ensuring continuous, high-quality broadcast output across all streams and platforms in a 24/7/365 environment. Unified Team Leadership — Brings together four direct reports — three shift-based Master Control Managers, each leading their own dedicated team of Master Control Operators, and one Manager of Content and Ingest — fostering a culture of shared purpose, consistent communication, and unified execution across all shifts and functions. The goal is one team, one standard, one direction. Cross‑Functional Partnership with the Director of Technology — Serves as a key bridge between the operations team and the Director of Technology, cultivating a strong collaborative relationship that ensures operational needs and technical capabilities are aligned, and that both departments are working in close partnership toward common goals. Hands‑On Leadership & Floor Presence — Maintains an active, visible presence within the operation, leading by example and engaging directly with staff at all levels. Demonstrates a lead‑from‑the‑front approach that builds trust, sets the standard, and reinforces a culture of excellence. Personnel Development & Issue Resolution — Addresses personnel matters promptly and professionally, with a focus on resolution, growth, and team cohesion. Actively invests in the development of staff through mentorship, hands‑on training, and a genuine commitment to building the next generation of broadcast operations leaders. Training & Staff Development — Designs and delivers comprehensive, hands‑on training programs for Master Control staff at all levels. Approaches staff development with the patience and purpose of an educator, ensuring team members are confident, competent, and prepared for the demands of a high-volume broadcast environment. Standard Operating Procedures & Response Planning — Develops, maintains, and enforces Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and emergency response plans that ensure operational consistency, readiness, and rapid recovery from any broadcast disruption. Proactive Issue Identification & Resolution — Anticipates operational issues before they occur, implements preventive measures, and guides teams through effective response strategies. Conducts post‑incident reviews to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Automation Systems Oversight — Oversees the operation and performance of multiple Master Control automation platforms across the hub, ensuring systems are functioning optimally and staff is properly trained on all relevant tools and workflows. Cross‑Departmental Collaboration & Relationship Building — Builds and maintains strong working relationships across departments — including Engineering, IT, Traffic, and Content — fostering a culture of communication, cooperation, and shared accountability. On‑Call Availability & Schedule Flexibility — Serves in an on‑call capacity as required by the demands of a round‑the‑clock broadcast operation. Must be available and willing to work non‑traditional hours as needed for special projects, live events, or unforeseen operational needs. Additional Duties — Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned, adapting to the evolving operational needs of the Centralcast Hub. Qualifications/Requirements Proven Leadership Experience — Demonstrated history of leading teams in a fast‑paced broadcast operations environment, with a hands‑on, lead‑by‑example approach that inspires accountability and high performance at every level. Direct Team Management — Experience managing multiple direct reports in a structured, shift‑based environment. This role oversees 4 direct reports: 3 shift‑based Master Control Managers, each responsible for leading their own dedicated shift team of Master Control Operators, and 1 Manager of Content and Ingest — requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate seamlessly across all shifts. Broadcast Operations Expertise — A minimum of 10 years of broadcast operations experience, with at least 5 of the most recent years in a management role overseeing television station Master Control operations. 24/7/365 Operational Commitment — Broadcast Master Control is a round‑the‑clock operation, and this role requires a leader who understands and embraces that reality. The Director of Operations must be comfortable in an on‑call capacity, with the flexibility to work occasional non‑traditional hours as demanded by special projects, live events, or unforeseen operational needs. Large‑Scale Master Control Proficiency — Deep technical knowledge and hands‑on operational experience within a large‑scale Master Control environment, including a strong understanding of workflows, signal flow, and broadcast standards. Automation Systems Knowledge — Proficiency with multiple Master Control automation platforms, including — but not limited to — Crispin automation systems, with the ability to troubleshoot, optimize, and train others on these platforms. People Management & Personnel Development — Skilled in managing a large operator workforce, with the ability to address personnel issues promptly and professionally while maintaining a team‑first culture focused on growth, development, and retention. Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Relationship Building — Ability to build strong working relationships across departments and teams — including a close working partnership with the Director of Technology — fostering a collaborative environment that supports shared goals and operational success. Exceptional Communication Skills — Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical information, operational directives, and expectations to staff at all levels. Detail‑Oriented & Process‑Driven — Highly attentive to detail with demonstrated experience developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and emergency response plans that ensure operational consistency and readiness. Proactive Problem Solving — Ability to anticipate operational issues before they occur, implement preventive measures, and guide teams through effective response strategies to minimize disruption and downtime. Training & Staff Development — A natural educator and mentor who leads with patience and purpose — capable of designing and delivering hands‑on training programs that build team competency and confidence. Positive, Solutions‑Oriented Mindset — Brings a can‑do attitude and steady presence to high‑pressure situations, setting the tone for a resilient, motivated, and forward‑thinking operations team. TECH-TV/Gray Media is a drug‑free company Additional Info Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment at every location where the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Gray Media expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with Gray’s employees’ ability to perform their job duties may result in discipline, up to and including discharge. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr