Broadcast Event & Studio Innovation Lead, Local Media

WORK OPTION: The NBA currently provides eligible employees the option of working remotely one day per week. _________________ Job Summary: The Senior Director, Broadcast Event & Studio Innovation Lead is responsible for shaping the future of NBA and WNBA Local Media event and studio productions through innovation, strategic planning, and emerging technology adoption. Reporting to the Production Technology Lead, this role serves as the bridge between production operations, technology, and business strategy, ensuring that future production workflows are scalable, efficient, cost-effective, and capable of delivering industry-leading fan experiences. This leader will evaluate new technologies, production models, and operational approaches that can improve the creation and delivery of live game and studio content. Working closely with Production Operations, Broadcast Engineering, Content, Distribution, teams, vendors, and strategic partners, the Senior Director will identify opportunities to modernize workflows, integrate new technologies, and develop multi-year roadmaps that support the evolution of the NBA's Local Media ecosystem. The role will be responsible for long-range planning, business case development, innovation assessments, and strategic investment recommendations spanning both capital and operating expenditures. This position plays a critical role in ensuring NBA Local Media remains at the forefront of technological innovation and content execution as fan consumption habits, distribution platforms, and production technologies continue to evolve. Major Responsibilities: Develop and maintain the long-term strategic vision for event and studio production innovation across NBA and WNBA Local Media. Identify opportunities to improve production quality, ingenuity, efficiency, scalability, reliability, and cost effectiveness through technology and workflow modernization. Operationalize new broadcast technologies and workflows. Evaluate emerging technologies, industry trends, and evolving fan consumption behaviors to identify opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage. Build and maintain multi-year production innovation roadmaps and long-range plans (LRPs) aligned with overall Local Media business objectives. Develop and assess capital expenditure (CapEx) and operating expenditure (OpEx) investment strategies, including business case development, ROI analysis, and prioritization recommendations. Work closely with vendors, technology partners, teams, and internal stakeholders to evaluate, pilot, and implement next-generation production solutions. Serve as the primary innovation lead for new production capabilities including cloud-based workflows, remote production models, artificial intelligence, automation, virtual production, advanced graphics, data integration, and emerging broadcast technologies. Research and evaluate new content formats and production techniques that enhance fan engagement and expand audience reach across linear, streaming, social, and emerging platforms. Advise Local Media leadership on future production investments, industry developments, strategic risks, and transformation opportunities. Partner with Production Operations, Broadcast Engineering, Distribution, Content, Product, and Digital teams to define future-state production capabilities and requirements. Ensure NBA Local Media remains an industry leader in production innovation, operational excellence, and next-generation fan experiences. Required Education/Professional Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Media, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred 10+ years of experience in broadcast production, production technology, media operations, live sports production, or related fields. Experience leading production innovation, technology transformation, or strategic planning initiatives within sports, media, or entertainment organizations. Demonstrated success evaluating and implementing large-scale production technologies and workflow changes. Experience developing business cases, long-range plans, and investment strategies. Experience working with production vendors, technology partners, and cross-functional stakeholder groups. Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes: Deep understanding of live sports production workflows, production technology, and broadcast operations. Strong knowledge of emerging technologies including cloud production, REMI workflows, AI-enabled production, automation, virtual production, advanced graphics, and data-driven storytelling. Strategic planning and long-range roadmapping expertise. Strong financial and analytical skills, including CapEx and OpEx planning and investment evaluation. Experience sourcing, evaluating and negotiating with vendors. Ability to translate business and operational requirements into scalable technology solutions. Excellent executive communication and presentation skills. Established history of creating a culture of consistent feedback and coaching across all levels Strong project leadership and stakeholder management capabilities. Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive alignment across technical, operational, and business organizations. Highly innovative mindset with a passion for identifying future opportunities and transforming fan experiences. Salary Range: $180,000 - $225,000 Job Posting Title: Senior Director Employees currently are eligible to receive an annual discretionary performance bonus, awarded at the sole discretion of the Company and subject to any terms and conditions set by the Company. Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company-sponsored employee benefit programs: medical; dental; vision; life/AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability; fertility and family-forming assistance; wellbeing allowance; educational assistance; mental health coaching/therapy; tax advantaged accounts such as HSA and healthcare/dependent care FSAs; a 401(k) retirement plan; and time off benefits that include vacation, sick time, and personal days. We Consider Applicants For All Positions On The Basis Of Merit, Qualifications And Business Needs, And Without Regard To Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Gender Identity, Age, Disability, Alienage Or Citizenship Status, Ancestry, Marital Status, Creed, Genetic Predisposition Or Carrier Status, Sexual Orientation, Veteran Status, Familial Status, Status As A Victim Of Domestic Violence Or Any Other Status Or Characteristic Protected By Applicable Federal, State, Or Local Law. The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. About the NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season featured a record-tying 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness. At the NBA, we're passionate about growing and celebrating the game of basketball. Through the intensity of the game and the amazing athletic skill of our players, we deliver excitement to hundreds of millions of fans around the world. As a global sports and media business, the NBA is so much more. While Basketball Operations runs the league's on-court activities, other departments manage relationships with television and digital media partners, develop marketing partnerships with some of the world's most recognizable companies, oversee the licensing of NBA merchandise, and handle a wide range of responsibilities that drive the NBA's success. Off the court, we're also deeply committed to social responsibility. NBA Cares leads the league's involvement in addressing important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.