Director I

The Walt Disney Company; Bristol (CT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company seeks a Director I for ESPN, responsible for directing live and taped productions. The successful candidate will manage personnel and facilities, coach team members, and troubleshoot production challenges. A strong background in live directing and excellent leadership skills are vital for this position.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of directing or related experience required.
• In-depth knowledge of production equipment and live directing essential.
• Ability to react quickly to changing situations in high-pressure environments.

Responsibilities

• Direct live and taped productions, ensuring quality presentations.
• Troubleshoot technical issues during production in real-time.
• Provide ongoing feedback and coaching to Associate Directors and Stage Managers.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Quick Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in broadcasting, communications, journalism or closely related field

Job description

Director I

Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10117109 Location Bristol, Connecticut, United States Business ESPN Date posted4月. 30, 2025

Job Summary:

The Director I is responsible for the planning and line-directing live and taped Studio, Remote and REMI productions, in both conventional and automated control rooms. The Director I will be required to participate in pre- and post-production meetings, plus contribute ideas to help realize a vision for a show. The Director I will be responsible for managing personnel and facilities as they relate to the production. In addition, will work in conjunction with Coordinating Producers and Producers to provide support and guidance on content philosophy and execution, plus coordinate and disseminate show information to the production and operational units. The Director I will need to be a team builder with strong production and technical knowledge and demonstrate leadership qualities in all interactions and decisions.The Director I will be required to coach, develop and mentor Associate Directors and Stage Managers, and must provide consistent and comprehensive written feedback of their performance to Directing Management.

Responsibilities:

• Directs live and taped productions from the control room or mobile unit; coordinates and execute all aspects of scripted and unscripted shows.
• During Ignite/Automated productions – Directors will code rundowns; facs studio and remote guests; troubleshoot technical issues; possibly select music and coordinate liveshots in the absence of an AD.
• Provides clear, concise and orderly communication of traffic to all involved during each production.
• Troubleshoots, in real-time, operational issues that arise during assigned production.
• Oversees lighting, camera blocking, visual effects and graphics integration, and timing to ensure a quality presentation.
• Participates in meetings with Managers and Producers to develop the concepts, editorial themes and specific narratives for productions.
• In show preparation, coordinates with Associate Director for the assigned pre-production elements and review the rundown for accuracy.
• Contributes to the planning and organizing of assigned projects. Manages personnel and facilities as they relate to assigned projects; interacts with other departments for a common goal.
• Provides ongoing feedback to Associate Directors and Stage Managers as well as other team members, and documents in written form to Management.Written feedback should be thoughtful and comprehensive with clear, detailed examples.
• Observes Associate Directors and Stage Manager outside of show unit to directly contribute to their development.
• Takes responsibility for personal development through independent observation and training.Participates in periodic clip review sessions with Managers and Director IIs to further develop directing skills.
• May be asked to provide written feedback for various show unit personnel, including but not limited to: Designers, VCS/OCTO ops, Editorial Graphic Producers, Producers and Coordinating Producers.
• Practices and maintains the departmental performance standards as they apply to leadership, communication, and personal development, and consistently perform all of the duties and functions required of the role.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of directing or related experience.
• In-depth knowledge and proficiency with live directing.
• In-depth knowledge and proficiency with production equipment and facilities.
• Has strong ability to think and react quickly to rapidly changing situations in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• In-depth ability to direct most assigned productions and specialty shows.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of directing experience.
• Directing at the network level.
• Bilingual language skills (Spanish/English) preferred.

Required Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in broadcasting, communications, journalism or a closely related field.

#ESPNMedia

About ESPN:

Working at ESPN is unlike anything else. That’s because we’re always finding new ways to interact with fans – however and wherever they connect with sports. Every day we’re doing things that no one has done, all in a dynamic culture where we defy odds and continuously outdo ourselves. When you have the latest technology, game-changing ideas and world-class talent on your team, every day is extraordinary.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with ESPN Productions, Inc , which is part of a business we call ESPN .

ESPN Productions, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

Disability Accommodation for Employment Applications

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs . We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

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