Job Announcement

Director

The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN) is seeking a Director for our Broadcast Operations Team at our Headquarters office in Springfield, VA. MBN is a non-profit grantee of the federal government that directly communicates with the people of the Middle East and North Africa through television, radio, and digital media. MBN's mission is to provide objective, accurate, and relevant news and information to the people of the Middle East about the region, the world, and the United States in support of U.S. public diplomacy.

The Director is responsible for the look and pacing of MBN’s television productions, by combining visual and audio show elements to present MBN’s editorial content in compelling, quality television programming. Incumbent directs both live and pre-recorded television programming, usually with production elements from remote sites. Director executes the Producers vision of the broadcast.

The primary duties and responsibilities of the Director include, but are not limited to:

• Establishing the look of the show, manage the control room preparation and checks the studio set up, lighting and camera positions prior to broadcast.
• Studying rundown before program to determine artistic interpretation; coordinate pre and post production details with the appropriate personnel (producer, senior producer).
• Conducting a pre-production meeting with production staff before executing any program.
• Leading and coordinating with producers and anchors during the program.
• Directing show calling camera shots and coordinate multi-disciplinary production staff, keeping them motivated and aggressive, including instructing camera operators on the position and the angle of their shots, and coordinating changes in lighting, sound and graphics.
• Solving any production problems occurring during the program.
• Conducting a post-production meeting with production staff at program’s conclusion to include in published Show Report.
• Maintaining and standardizing the look and the quality of MBN programs to reflect the channel’s and MBN’s image. Work with set designer(s) and graphics department on “look” of program and staging elements, as needed
• Sharing with supervisor plans and thoughts to improve the quality of work.
• Keeping updated with the most recent technology in this field.
• The incumbent may be asked to perform additional duties and take on other responsibilities as dictated by events and circumstances.

QUALIFICATION/EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• 5 years of progressively complex experience as a Television Show Director (International news environment highly desirable)
• Fluent (spoken and written) Arabic and English required
• Knowledge of Middle East political and cultural affairs is essential.
• Must be able to work under pressure, and provide quick turnaround against high-pressure deadlines.
• Candidate must have confident demeanor and excellent rapport when interacting with all levels of staff.
• Successful candidate will be exceptionally well organized and highly self-motivated.
• Ability to diagnose and remedy complex production problems quickly is essential.
• Experience in a digital TV news broadcasting facility is highly desirable; including the ability to switch program on a Grass Valley and/or Broadcast Pix board while directing.
• Must be able to work 8 hour shifts, 40 hours per week.
• Must be able to sit or stand for length of broadcast (typically 1 to 2 hours before change of staff and crew)
• No food or drink is allowed in any production areas.
• Must be able to quickly push and grasp Grass Valley and /or Broadcast Pix controls.
• Must be able to manipulate computer keyboard and mouse
• Must be able to visually and aurally assess critical show elements.

MBN is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.