Technical Production Manager

Job Description

NBC News is seeking experienced Freelance Technical Production Managers (TPMs) to support live news programming across multiple control rooms, studios, special events, and remote productions. This role requires a highly organized production professional who can coordinate technical operations, crew communication, transmission resources, control room workflows, and live production execution in fast-paced broadcast environments.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is classified for intermittent freelance work and is expected to average fewer than 1,000 hours during the annual measurement period. Scheduling will vary based on business needs.

This position includes overnight, early morning, daytime, evening, holiday, and weekend shifts. Candidates must be available to work a flexible schedule and support breaking news coverage when required. 

Based in New York, the TPM serves as the central operational point between editorial, technical, production, engineering, transmission, and studio teams to ensure seamless execution of live programming.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Live Show Operations

• Coordinate, verify and manage all technical elements required for live broadcasts, taped productions, special reports, and breaking news coverage.
• Build and review rundowns, production notes, transmission requirements, guest information and staffing assignments before air. Coordinate remote guests, correspondents, bureaus, Zoom/FaceTime interviews, and transmission resources.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison between Producers, Directors, Technical Directors, Audio Operators, Graphics Operators, Studio Crews, and Engineering Teams. 
• Track and escalate technical issues while ensuring minimal impact to air.

Technical Coordination

• Work closely with Engineering, Studio Maintenance, Media Traffic, Capture Management, Staging, Lighting, Audio, Video/Robo, and Graphics teams.
• Coordinate records, transmission paths, return feeds, IFBs, PLs, and communication resources.
• Ensure control room wall routing, guest returns, prompter feeds, and production resources are properly configured.

Crew & Resource Management

• Confirm daily crew assignments using scheduling systems and crew reports.
• Review staffing needs and identify coverage gaps.
• Escalate late arrivals, call-outs, and operational issues.

#LI-onsite

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in live, studio television production.
• 2+ years of experience working in a News environment.
• 2+ years of operational experience in broadcast studio and production control room.
• Proficient computer skills, including Outlook, MS Word, Excel.
• Strong administrative, and organizational skills.
• Strong on-air operations and technical background.
• Ability to work all shifts including days, overnights, weekends and holidays.
• Proven working knowledge with control room and studio technology.
• Solid leadership, clear communication, excellent interpersonal, and team building skills required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated management experience and customer focus.
• Experience working with DGA, NABET, IATSE, as well as non-represented.
• Excellent team facilitation and knowledge of team problem solving techniques.
• Ability to facilitate change, serve as a change agent in the organization.
• Excellent ability to manage multiple tasks and challenges at the same time.
• Ability to work within a budget.

Additional Information 

• Required On-Site: This position is required to be performed from an NBCUniversal-designated worksite.
• Salary Range: $45.00-$55.00/hour

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

Compensation: 45 to 55 (USD) (HOURLY)