National Basketball Association

Production Technology Lead, Local Media

National Basketball Association$260K — $350K *
Media
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 12+ years in broadcast engineering, production technology, or media infrastructure, ideally with live sports events.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Broadcast Technology, Computer Science, Media Production, or related field.
  • Proven leadership in complex, multi-market production technology environments.
  • Experience in designing modern production workflows like REMI and cloud-based systems.
  • Track record of leading large-scale technology transformation initiatives.
  • Strong vendor management experience and capital project oversight.
  • Budget management experience, including capital planning and cost optimization.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the overall production technology strategy for the NBA's Local Media model.
  • Translate the GM's vision into scalable, future-ready production systems and workflows.
  • Oversee a team of engineers to provide top production services to NBA Local Media teams.
  • Design and implement centralized control rooms and remote production workflows.
  • Own the production technology stack across all local markets.
  • Establish technical frameworks for consistent integration with distribution platforms.
  • Collaborate with teams to align technology with creative needs and efficiency requirements.

Benefits

  • Eligible for annual discretionary performance bonus.
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Life and disability insurance options.
  • Fertility and family-forming assistance.
  • Wellbeing allowance and educational assistance programs.
  • Mental health coaching and therapy services available.
  • Access to tax-advantaged accounts like HSA and FSAs.
  • 401(k) retirement plan and paid time off including vacation and sick days.
Full Job Description
WORK OPTION: The NBA currently provides eligible employees the option of working remotely one day per week.

Job Summary:

The Production Technology Lead, Local Media, is responsible for defining and executing the technology strategy that underpins the NBA's Local Media department. Reporting to the General Manager, this role will lead the design, build, and evolution of production systems and workflows as the league executes production for local networks.

This executive will oversee the architecture and implementation of next-generation production infrastructure-including centralized control rooms, remote production (REMI), and cloud-based workflows-ensuring consistency, reliability, and integration across all team markets. Working and leading cross-functionally with Broadcast Engineering & Operations, Production Operations, and Distribution, this role will establish clear separation between system design and operational execution while enabling seamless end-to-end delivery of live game and studio content.

The Production Technology Lead will work closely with third party technology, operations, engineering, crewing and production vendors to ensure seamless end-to-end quality of the production and integration for Local Media and its media distribution partners.

The role also drives innovation in production capabilities, leveraging emerging technologies to enhance efficiency and elevate the local fan viewing experience. As a key member of the Local Media leadership team, this position will play a critical role in building a future-ready production ecosystem that aligns with the GM's vision for an integrated, high-performing local media organization.

Major Responsibilities:

  • Lead the overall production technology strategy supporting the NBA's centralized Local Media model


  • Translate the GM's vision for an integrated, end-to-end local media organization into scalable, standardized, and future-ready production systems and workflows


  • Lead a multi-layered team of Broadcast Engineers, Streaming Engineers, Broadcast Operations, Graphics and Tech Managers to provide best in class production and services for NBA Local Media teams


  • Design and oversee implementation of production infrastructure, including centralized control rooms, remote production (REMI) workflows, cloud-based environments, and venue-level systems


  • Define and own the production technology stack (switchers, replay, graphics, orchestration, monitoring, and control systems) across all local markets


  • Establish standardized technical frameworks and output specifications to ensure consistency, scalability, and seamless integration with distribution platforms


  • Partner closely with Broadcast Engineering & Operations to transition systems from design into reliable, day-to-day execution, ensuring clear ownership between build vs. run responsibilities


  • Collaborate with Production Operations to align technology capabilities with creative and editorial needs, improving efficiency, quality, and consistency of live game and studio productions


  • Enable seamless integration with Distribution and DTC platforms by overseeing contribution, encoding, transport, and delivery readiness of all production outputs


  • Build infrastructure capable of supporting all NBA local game productions concurrently, with appropriate redundancy, resiliency, and disaster recovery


  • Lead evaluation, selection, and management of production technology vendors, systems integrators, and cloud partners, including oversight of major buildouts and upgrades


  • Manage day-to-day relationship with truck, crewing and master control vendors


  • Drive innovation in local broadcasts through adoption of cloud-native workflows, AI-enabled production tools, advanced graphics, and new content formats that enhance fan experience


  • Support the GM's mandate to improve local game presentation and grow viewership through technology-enabled enhancements and operational efficiencies


  • Establish governance, standards, and decision frameworks for production technology across teams, markets, and partners within the Local Media ecosystem


  • Build and lead a high-performing production technology team, focused on architecture, systems design, and long-term roadmap rather than day-to-day operations


  • Manage capital and operating budgets for production technology, identifying opportunities for cost efficiency through centralization, automation, and shared infrastructure


  • Serve as a key member of the Local Media leadership team, contributing to overall strategy, transformation, and execution under the General Manager


Required Education/Professional Experience:

  • 12+ years of experience in broadcast engineering, production technology, or media infrastructure, preferably in live sports or large-scale live event production


  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Broadcast Technology, Computer Science, Media Production, or a related field preferred


  • Proven leadership overseeing complex, multi-market production technology environments


  • Experience designing and implementing modern production workflows (e.g., REMI, centralized, and/or cloud-based production)


  • Demonstrated success leading large-scale technology transformation initiatives


  • Track record of driving cross-functional alignment across production, engineering, and distribution teams


  • Experience managing major vendors, systems integrators, and capital projects


  • Experience negotiating vendor agreements and managing day-to-day relationships and improvements across vendors


  • Budget ownership, including capital planning and cost optimization


Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes:

  • Deep expertise in live production systems, workflows, and end-to-end signal flow


  • Strong knowledge of IP-based and cloud-enabled production environments (e.g., SMPTE 2110, SRT, NDI)


  • Understanding of distribution workflows across linear, digital, and DTC platforms


  • Ability to design scalable, standardized systems supporting high-volume live production


  • Strong systems thinking across production, engineering, and distribution


  • Strategic mindset with experience evaluating build vs. buy vs. partner decisions


  • Proven leadership and team-building capabilities


  • Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills


  • Established history of creating a culture of consistent feedback and coaching across all levels


  • Experience driving innovation through new technologies (e.g., cloud, AI, automation)


  • Solid financial and operational acumen


Salary Range:

$260,000 - $350,000

Job Posting Title:
Vice President

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.

About National Basketball Association

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a men's professional basketball league in North America, composed of 30 teams. It is one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, and is widely considered to be the premier men's professional basketball league in the world. The NBA was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in New York City. The league's revenue comes from ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorships, and media rights. The NBA has a global following and is broadcast in over 215 countries and territories.
Learn more about National Basketball Association
Size
1,100 employees
Industry
Founded
1946

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