Specialist, Local Media Affiliate Operations

MLB/Network’s Content Distribution team is responsible for the distribution and monetization of MLB’s local rights, Direct-to-Consumer products, and MLB/NHL Network across both traditional and digital platforms. We are seeking a candidate at the Specialist level at MLB Network to support distribution of MLB Media’s growing portfolio with traditional and virtual MVPDs by spearheading affiliate technical/operational efforts (including but not limited to: launch authorizations, blackout implementation, VOD and TV Everywhere) for MLB local club rights, MLB Network and NHL Network. The ideal candidate will have expertise in sports media and operations.

Responsibilities:

• Organize launch authorizations and perform blackout-related activity and responsibilities for MLB local club distribution, MLB Network and NHL Network – primary internal liaison and external communicator to distribution partners.
• Project manage current and new processes for feed distribution/delivery and blackout implementation on traditional and virtual distribution platforms.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with corporate and local production, engineering and headend contacts in order to ensure streamlined distribution paths and efficient information gathering.
• Manage and coordinate technical distribution of Strike Zone.
• Oversee planning, distribution and reporting of MLB Network and NHL Network VOD products.
• Ensure distribution of MLB Network and NHL Network across contracted league and club hotels nationwide.
• Serve as primary affiliate liaison to external delivery and transmission vendors (e.g. Comcast Technology Solutions, Encompass, Intelsat, etc.).
• Prepare and manage all affiliate blackout communication and retunes internally (Operations and NOC Supervisors) and externally via coordination across multiple automated and manual blackout tools (SCTE, TVE, etc.).
• Prepare team territory lists for distribution to NOC Supervisors.
• Serve as resident expert on club television territory maps and zip codes.
• Prepare and message programming coverage charts.
• Attend Conditions meetings, work with NOC Director to write and communicate daily plans for Master Control operators.
• Assist or provide backup to NOC Supervisor for re-tunes of IRDs on game days.
• Ability to quickly troubleshoot technical issues and blackout discrepancies.
• Answer general questions from affiliate sales hotline.
• Provide backup to technical hotline.
• Other such duties as required.

Qualifications and Skills:

• A minimum of 4-6 years of experience in virtual/traditional MVPD partnerships and marketing, sports media, and/or media operations is required.
• Candidate must be proficient in Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Candidate must be familiar with MLB and NHL broadcast territories and apply knowledge effectively.
• Ability to work effectively with Production, Engineering and Broadcasting departments.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must possess a high level of attention to detail and superior follow up skills.
• Must be available evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Individual must work well in a dynamic environment and be able to recommend and implement process improvements.
• Demonstrate the tact, diplomacy, decisiveness, and superior people skills required in the pressurized environment of the live sports media industry.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously in a demanding, fast-paced, high-exposure environment.
• Ability to organize and schedule work effectively.
• Ability to work well independently and under time constraints.
• Strong leadership experience.
• Positive can-do attitude with demonstrated creativity, initiative and persistence.
• Ability to persuade and resolve problems in a professional manner.
• Ability to travel domestically and/or internationally as needed. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Possess the manual dexterity needed to effectively create required work product. 
• Possess the visual acuity needed to effectively create required work product.
• Possess the auditory acuity needed to effectively create required work product.
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