Job Description

As the Head of Innovation you will lead the Innovation section, directing a team of Innovation Leads to drive operational excellence, raise broadcast standards, and bring innovative thinking to the Network’s live and pre/post-production operations. Reporting to the Manager of Innovation and Compliance, the Head of Innovation translates the Network’s operational vision into actionable standards, workflows, and improvement programmes.

You will be responsible for advising leadership across projects from the early advisory and design stages through to delivery, ensuring operational goals are met and that change is implemented smoothly across studios and production environments.

The position of Head of Innovation will also be responsible for the development and capability of the Leads, for the consistency of standards and documentation across the section, and for researching emerging industry trends so that Al Jazeera’s Operations remain at the forefront of the television industry.

To be considered for this position you will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, sound editorial and operational judgment, and a collaborative, can-do approach in a fast-paced, high-energy environment are essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, direct, and develop the Innovation Leads, setting priorities, allocating work, and ensuring a consistent, high-quality approach to standards across the section.
• Maintain a strong command of news programming and live news operations, with operational knowledge of all control room positions and/or pre/post-production positions.
• In collaboration with Editorial leadership and the Innovation team, define, develop, and implement the agreed “vision” for studio and post-production operations.
• Oversee planning and execution of changes to studio production such as new set designs, new graphic looks, new shows, and workflow changes impacting production, including pre/post-production.
• Establish and govern standard policies and procedures for Studio Operations and pre/post-production teams, ensuring they are documented, communicated, and applied consistently.
• Direct the technical realization of the newsroom/edits/studio output to meet the requirements of the News and Programmes Editorial teams.
• Work closely with Editorial leadership, Creative departments, Editors, and Studio
• Operations teams to determine and technically achieve the required look and format of each channel’s output,
• Coordinating with Newsroom, Program Producers, MCR, Media Managers, Ingest, Presenters, Gallery Crew, and Editors.
• Liaise with Technology teams to ensure the full production chain, including studio automation, functions correctly, and oversee monitoring of the chain.
• Ensure the highest technical standards are consistently achieved across the channels’ output.
• Design, approve, implement operational workflows, and lead problem solving across teams with strong collaboration and effective bi-directional communication between senior management production teams.
• Identify training needs and lead the development of guidance, training, and written documentation to increase the skills of operators across the Network.
• Research changing trends within the television broadcast industry and provide innovative suggestions and plans that benefit the business.
• Support the maintenance of business continuity and disaster recovery plans.

Other Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance and expertise on aspects of Media, Production, and Newsgathering operations within the section’s field of expertise.
• Maintain operational knowledge of all control room positions and/or pre/post-production areas; knowledge of computerised automation in news systems is an advantage.
• Maintain awareness of industry developments, emerging technologies, and innovation best practices.
• Contribute with the News and Planning teams to support budget calculations for new shows.
• Deputize for the Manager of Innovation and Compliance on operational and standards matters when required.
• Perform other duties relevant to the job as requested by management.

Education:

• Bachelor Degree in Media-related fields, or extensive equivalent experience. Postgraduate qualifications in a related field are preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 12 years’ experience working in a high-skilled live, On Air environment, of which at least 3 years should have been in a leadership, standards, or supervisor