Careers

What Do They Do?

Technical producers are highly skilled broadcast engineers with a deep knowledge of studio and recording equipment.  They provide creative and technical support to show teams to make sure that what comes out of the radio is as high quality as possible.  This may mean conducting studio training, problem solving equipment issues, helping programme teams prepare for an unusual or complicated broadcast, helping to plan for large scale events and outside broadcasts, and sometimes even driving the studio desk.

A Technical Producer’s daily tasks will vary hugely depending on the show, network or project that they are working on – and no day is ever the same - but broadly speaking, tasks are likely to include:

• Providing technical management of broadcast, business and IT systems.
• Designing and managing bespoke studio and outside broadcast solutions (including editing software and play-out systems).
• Mediating between production teams and broadcast engineers.
• Acting as a lead ITC, responsible for IT incidents as well as physical asset and software management.
• Assisting Operations Manager by helping to manage workplace facility suppliers and technical infrastructure suppliers.
• Identifying new technologies to improve and enhance the network output.
• Management and development of health & safety, risk assessments and continuity plans.

Who Do They Work With?

• Technical Producers will work across a station’s broadcast output so will need to work with Network Commissioning, show production teams, along with Broadcast Engineering, IT Support, and Facilities.
• They will also liaise with members of their own team, in particular working closely with the Operations Manager.

What Skills Do I Need?

• Technical Producers will have a good understanding of end-to-end transmission chain, from show planning to broadcast transmitters.
• Technical Producer will have an enhanced knowledge of the technical aspects of working in a live radio broadcasting environment.
• Technical Producers are able to prioritise, problem solve and remain calm under pressure.
• Technical Producers are passionate about the output of the stations they work for, and knowledgeable about production processes.
• Technical Producers are able to adapt to different broadcast environments and work flexibly as part of a team that may change daily.
• Technical Producers are enthusiastic about learning new systems and absorb new processes quickly.
• Technical Producers have a thorough knowledge of health and safety protocols, and broadcast workflows.
• Technical Producers are flexible and willing to work long and sometimes erratic hours.

How Do I Get This Job?

There are no specific qualifications needed for this role, but experience is really important – the expectation is that you will have worked or volunteered in some sort of technical role previously – either as a tech op, broadcasting assistant, DJ, theatre audio technician, live music sound technician or driven your own desk while radio presenting.  Lots of experience can be transferred into a job like this but understanding how radio works end-to-end can be priceless knowledge in this role.  Experience in dealing with production safety and undertaking risk assessments can be extremely beneficial as Health and Safety is such a vital part of this job.