Associate Producer

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Utah Athletics Department is seeking an experienced Associate Producer to contribute to ESPN+ broadcast productions and related content. This temporary 1-2 year position offers an excellent benefits package and ongoing mentoring of students in Replay, Graphics, and Switcher workflows.

Responsibilities include leading production meetings, asset management, and directing or producing ESPN+ shows while ensuring compliance with NCAA and conference standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; two years’ experience with television studio, field and editing techniques and related equipment.
• Demonstrated experience in sports broadcasting, media production, and content creation.
• Strong writing, research and deadline-driven abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead graphics AP or lead tape operator, gather assets ahead of broadcast and assist producer/director on event day.
• Produce or direct ESPN+ broadcasts and board shows; lead meetings, rundowns and asset gathering.
• Collaborate with Creative Producer, Athletics Communications, and Digital Media to plan schedules and ensure technical requirements are met.

Skills

Sports broadcasting

Media production

Content creation

Live production

Editing

Leadership/education

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Xpression

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Job Summary

The University of Utah Athletics Department is seeking an experienced and driven Associate Producer to contribute to the success of the broadcast productions of athletic events and related content. This position will support all aspects of the University of Utah's ESPN+ broadcast and board show productions. It is a temporary 1‑2 year position. An excellent benefits package is included (https://www.hr.utah.edu/benefits/).

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead graphics AP or lead tape operator, gathering the proper assets ahead of a broadcast and working with the producer and director to ensure everything is allocated on event day. When not actively serving those roles, take a leadership role in educating or assisting students on Replay (EVS), Graphics (Xpression) or Switcher (Carbonite/Acuity/HyperMax).
• Produce or direct select ESPN+ broadcasts and board shows under the supervision of the Director of Broadcast Production, Executive Producer, or Director of Big Screens. Producing an ESPN+ show requires leading production meetings, creating a rundown, gathering assets, building a graphics list, and guiding the flow of the broadcast. Directing an ESPN+ show requires diligent preparation to understand the sport, teams, and student athletes, and navigating the camera crew through their assignments. Producing and/or directing a board show requires loading Daktronics show control content, coordinating with the marketing/fan experience team, and leading and teaching replay, video, TD, and camera roles.
• Collaborate with the Creative Producer, Athletics Communications, and Digital Media teams to plan broadcast schedules, identify key story‑lines, and ensure all technical requirements are met for live and recorded broadcasts.
• Provide creative direction for broadcast content, including graphics, replays, special features, and highlight packages, ensuring a cohesive product aligned with Utah Athletics branding and identity.
• Support onsite technical leads with camera setups, lighting, audio, and broadcast equipment, while troubleshooting issues arising during live events.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to enhance the quality and efficiency of live broadcasts, recommending new tools and processes that improve the fan experience.
• Ensure all broadcasts adhere to NCAA, Big 12, ESPN, and University of Utah guidelines, standards, and compliance regulations.
• Direct, produce, or assist in the production of special events such as concerts, graduations, and extreme sports (Supercross, Monster Jam, etc.) and other non‑game‑related content, providing high‑level broadcast quality.
• Physical requirements: Nearly continuously — sitting, hearing, listening, talking; often — repetitive hand motion (typing), walking, moving equipment up to 50 lbs; seldom — bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in sports broadcasting, media production, and content creation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Journalism, or a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); two years’ experience with television studio, field and editing techniques and related equipment required; familiarity with television broadcasting regulations; commitment to excellent customer service required.
• Demonstrated skills in research, public relations, writing, and ability to work under deadlines and stressful conditions; strong emphasis on writing, producing, sophisticated graphics abilities and editing.

Preferences

• Experience in a Power‑4 athletics production internship.
• Experience with live streaming platforms & digital broadcasting (e.g. ESPN+, YouTube streams).
• Experience with broadcast graphics & animation software (e.g. Xpression, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Experience with University of Utah Athletics, its programs, and its fan base.

Applicant Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.