Director, Production Operations - Branded Content

Wave Sports & Entertainment; Santa Monica (CA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Wave Sports & Entertainment is seeking a Director of Production Operations for Branded Content to oversee the execution of diverse productions, from planning to delivery. The ideal candidate will have extensive production experience, strong collaborative skills, and the ability to manage complex projects while maintaining quality. This hybrid role located in Santa Monica requires working across various teams to achieve creative and operational excellence.

Benefits

Unlimited paid time off

100% company-paid medical insurance

401(k) plan

Stock options

Paid Parental Leave

Monthly Phone/Internet Reimbursement

Qualifications

• 6–8+ years of hands-on production experience.
• Proven track record managing high-volume productions.
• Deep understanding of digital-first storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Lead production for branded content activations and live events.
• Manage budgets, schedules, and production logistics.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure project alignment.

Skills

Production management

Budgeting

Scheduling

Field producing

Collaborative communication

Digital storytelling

Operational efficiency

Job description

Title: Director, Production Operations - Branded Content

Reporting to: VP, Production Operations

Supervisory role: Yes, managing a freelance temp/contractor team as well as third party production team for activations.

Classification: Full-time employee

Location: Hybrid in Santa Monica, CA or New York, NY

Compensation: $135K - $155K annual base compensation

Company Summary:

Wave Sports + Entertainment (Wave) is the leader in sports storytelling for the next generation reaching more than 130 million highly engaged followers globally. Wave’s award-winning, original programming is led by some of the most popular athletes and personalities in sports media -- including the hit digital series’ “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce,” “Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce,” “Podcast P with Paul George,” “7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony”, and “Straight to Cam with Cameron Brink and Sydel Curry-Lee” -- dishing out entertaining commentary, unique perspectives, expert analysis, and behind-the-scenes stories about the players and events that are shaping the world of sports. Wave also holds partnerships with 100+ rights holders and sports properties, providing always-on programming to followers of the internet's largest and most engaged social communities.

Role Summary:

Wave is seeking a Director, Production Operations - Branded Content to join our Production Operations team as the operational lead across WSE’s episodic extensions, events, and custom branded activations. In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with our Custom Branded Content team to bring brand-integrated creative to life — from development through final delivery — while also supporting the sustainment of our Originals shows.

Reporting directly to the VP of Production Operations, you’ll lead the end-to-end execution of a wide range of content formats — including long-form digital series, short-form social content, live/on-site activations, and fully custom campaigns. You’ll oversee budgeting, scheduling, staffing, preproduction, production, post-production, delivery, campaign management, and day-of execution — managing crews, vendors, and internal resources with speed and precision.

This is a hands-on, execution-first role that demands an operator’s mindset, a producer’s instinct, and the ability to move fast without compromising quality. It also requires deep expertise in planning, the ability to strategize and forecast production needs, and a collaborative approach to working with cross-functional teams to anticipate and advise on key campaign and production execution requirements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary production lead for branded content activations, live events, and episodic extensions, driving projects from early development through final delivery
• Partner with the Branded Content team to vet creative concepts, scope production plans, and develop execution timelines
• Provide rapid-turnaround production budgets and schedules — often within 24 hours — during pitch and pre-sale stages
• Lead execution once projects are greenlit: staffing crews, hiring vendors, managing locations, overseeing production logistics, and serving as the on-set producer and director when needed
• Manage all production resources to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and aligned with brand and creative goals
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Creative, Sales, Talent, and Legal to ensure seamless communication and alignment at every stage
• Oversee third-party production partners, freelance talent, and internal production teams
• Own and continuously improve production workflows, process documentation, vendor databases, and execution playbooks — with a strong expertise in designing clear, scalable workflow systems that support operational efficiency and team alignment
• Act as a trusted operational lead to the VP of Production Operations, providing strategic and tactical support across all production initiatives
• Support the sustainment and evolution of Wave Originals through project management of show transitions, set builds, production planning, and operational continuity across seasons
  
  

Qualifications

• 6–8+ years of hands-on production experience across a variety of content formats — including social-first, digital video, long-form episodic, and custom branded activations
• Proven track record of independently managing high-volume productions from development through delivery, with speed, precision, and creative alignment
• Expert in budgeting, scheduling, and planning — with the ability to turn around accurate estimates within 24 hours when needed
• Skilled in field producing, post-production workflows, and communicating with clients, talent, and brand partners
• Deep understanding of digital-first storytelling, especially content built around athletes, celebrities, or high-profile talent
• Adept at collaborating cross-functionally with Creative, Sales, Talent, Legal, and Brand Partnerships teams
• Possesses a strong network of freelance crew and vendor contacts in key markets including NY and LA
• Comfortable traveling and leading on-site activations, including live events and experiential productions
• Highly organized, solutions-oriented, and thrives under pressure in fast-paced environments
• Knowledgeable about union and non-union crew workflows, rights and clearances, and permitting processes
• Ability to create clear, compelling project decks, briefs, and client-facing presentations that communicate creative direction, production plans, and timelines, ensuring alignment across all stakeholders
• Operates with an ownership mentality — takes initiative, solves problems, and sees projects through with minimal oversight
  
  

Wave’s 5 Core Company Values

• Simplify and Get It Done
• Master Your Craft
• Practice Hospitality
• Be Direct
• Fearlessly Pursue New Ideas
  
  

We strive to hire individuals who embody these principles, as they are key to our success. This role plays a vital part in nurturing a culture that supports our fast-growing, adaptive, and industry-leading team. If you're someone who thrives on freedom and responsibility and is excited by a dynamic and fast-paced environment, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. However, it’s important to note that this role may not be the best fit for those who prefer a slower-paced or lower-pressure setting.

Pay Transparency + Benefits

At Wave, we’re transparent from the get-go—we want our candidates to know as much about us as possible, even before applying. We’re excited about our candidates and want them to feel the same about us!

This role is a full-time position with a base salary range of $135K - $150K year, and may be eligible for an annual bonus and equity. Actual salary at the time of offer may vary based on multiple factors, including an individual's experience level and qualifications. We believe in investing the very best in our employees, so in addition to the base salary for this role, all eligible full-time employees at Wave receive:

• Unlimited paid time off and 11 paid holidays
• 100% company-paid premiums for Employee medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
• Flex-benefit options (FSA, HSA)
• Company sponsored 401(k) plan
• Stock options
• Paid Parental Leave
• Monthly Phone/Internet Reimbursement
  
  

Physical Requirements + Work Environment

• Capacity to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery and hardware
• The ability to communicate and exchange information clearly and accurately
• Ability to lift and carry production equipment (up to ~25 lbs) when needed during shoots or activations
• Ability to stand, walk, and be physically active for long stretches during production days or events
• Must be available for occasional travel, including multi-day trips, to support out-of-market productions or events
• Requires full-time (Monday–Friday) availability
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends based on production schedules and event timelines
• The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions and work is performed in a business office/studio environment
• The worker may be exposed to variable lighting conditions (brightness or darkness) and noise during production when in the office/studio
  
  

Work Location

Hybrid in Los Angeles or New York City with in person attendance to produce activations.

At Wave Sports + Entertainment, we are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, victims of any “qualifying act of violence”, or other class protected by applicable law. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace.

We are a Bullpen Sports Network, Inc. affiliate company

Direct Applicants Only

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