Director, Production Operations - Branded Content

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. Waves 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 internets 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 WSEs episodic extensions events and custom branded activations. In this role youll 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 youll 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. Youll 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 operators mindset a producers 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

• 68 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

Waves 5 Core Company Values

1. Simplify and Get It Done

1. Master Your Craft

1. Practice Hospitality

1. Be Direct

1. 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 youre 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 its 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 were transparent from the get-gowe want our candidates to know as much about us as possible even before applying. Were 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 individuals 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 (MondayFriday) 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