Director, MS NOW

Company Description

VERSANT (Nasdaq: VSNT) is an industry-changing media and entertainment business and home to trusted brands that shape culture, inform audiences, and build lasting connections. It operates across four core markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and sports and genre entertainment. These markets are served through a powerful portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including CNBC, MS NOW, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Versant's sports division USA Sports, along with complementary digital assets including Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and GolfPass.

Job Description

MS NOW is seeking an experienced Studio Director to join our New York City team, helping deliver world-class live programming across broadcast, social, and digital platforms. The ideal candidate is a confident, decisive leader with exceptional editorial instincts who thrives in the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of live television.

This individual will collaborate closely with producers, talent, and technical staff to translate editorial vision into engaging, visually compelling live broadcasts while leading all aspects of control room execution. A thorough knowledge of current events and a strong understanding of U.S. politics are essential, along with proficiency in iNEWS, Vizrt, and other modern broadcast production tools.

This is a hands-on directing position requiring extensive experience directing live television in a traditional control room environment. The successful candidate will possess the editorial judgment, technical expertise, and leadership necessary to direct complex live broadcasts from day one.

This is a DGA-covered position.

Responsibilities: 

• Direct live news programming with creativity, precision, and unwavering editorial and technical excellence.
• Partner with producers and editorial teams to build and execute show rundowns, integrating video, graphics, studio elements, and music.
• Lead technical crews, including technical directors, audio operators, graphics operators, and camera operators, to ensure seamless production.
• Collaborate with graphic artists and technical staff to enhance the overall visual presentation of broadcasts, including providing input on lighting, camera placement, and set design.
• Direct live broadcasts in a traditional control room environment while maintaining the highest standards of editorial integrity, technical execution, and production quality.
• Participate in the planning and execution of field and remote productions, including technical planning and site surveys.
• Review broadcasts and provide constructive feedback to production teams to drive continuous improvement.
• Serve as a leader during breaking news coverage, special productions, and other high-profile live events.
• Stay current with evolving broadcast production technologies and industry best practices, demonstrating a willingness to adapt to new tools and workflows. Training will be provided as appropriate.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities and excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Qualifications

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience directing live television, preferably in a major market newsroom.
• Demonstrated expertise directing complex live news broadcasts in a traditional control room environment, including breaking news and special event coverage.
• Proven ability to manage live control room operations and execute complex rundowns.
• Proficiency with iNEWS, Vizrt, and other standard broadcast production systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide clear direction under pressure.
• Deep knowledge of current events and the U.S. political landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, prioritize, and lead in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with both studio and remote productions.

Desired Characteristics

• Creative storyteller with exceptional editorial judgment.
• Collaborative team player who works effectively across disciplines.
• Calm and decisive under pressure; dependable and self-motivated.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire diverse teams.

Additional Requirements

• This position is required to be performed in person at the Versant office in New York City.
• Must be able to work evenings, early mornings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as assigned.
• Must be willing to travel as needed.
• Must provide a resume and director track reel upon request.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. 

Salary Range: $140,000 - $260,000 

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media'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 candidateaccessibility@versantmedia.com.

VERSANT Media is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We include a good faith pay range for each position to comply with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and to promote equity across our organization. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, and location and may include additional forms of compensation and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.

VERSANT Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at VERSANT via-email, the Internet, or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from VERSANT's Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by VERSANT as a result of the referral or through other means.