Occupation · SOC 27-2012.05
Media Technical Directors/Managers
Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.
Median wage
$83,480
$43,060–$198,530
Projected growth
+4.9%
Average growth
Annual openings
830
per year
Employed (US)
145,270
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
930 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingMonitoringCoordinationActive ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementComplex Problem SolvingWritingSocial PerceptivenessPersuasionActive LearningOperations MonitoringLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlInstructingNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesService OrientationEquipment SelectionManagement of Material ResourcesMathematicsTroubleshootingOperations AnalysisEquipment MaintenanceTechnology DesignRepairingProgrammingManagement of Financial ResourcesScienceInstallation
Knowledge areas
Communications and MediaComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageTelecommunicationsEngineering and TechnologyAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingProduction and ProcessingGeographyLaw and GovernmentDesignAdministrativeMathematicsPublic Safety and SecurityPsychologySales and MarketingPersonnel and Human ResourcesSociology and AnthropologyTransportationMechanicalPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyFine ArtsEconomics and AccountingBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsChemistryForeign LanguageMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingFood ProductionBiology
Technology & tools
Adobe After EffectsAdobe AuditionAdobe Experience Manager (AEM)Adobe PhotoshopApple Final Cut ProAtlassian JIRAAutodesk MayaAvid Technology Media ComposerAvid Technology Pro ToolsAvid Technology audio visual editing softwareCC++Character generator softwareFacebookLinuxMailChimpMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft WordOracle DatabasePerlPinterestPythonSalesforce softwareSide Effects HoudiniSocial media sitesSoftware development toolsStructured query language SQLSwiftThe Associated Press ENPSUNIXUNIX ShellUnity Technologies UnityWord processing softwareYouTube
Representative tasks
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesAnalyzing Data or InformationProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTraining and Teaching OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationControlling Machines and ProcessesScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping and Building TeamsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleHandling and Moving ObjectsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesAssisting and Caring for OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Video switcher controls and basic transition types — identify and operate under direct supervision during a live studio production.Camera monitors and picture quality indicators — observe and report shading or composition issues to a senior director in a multi-camera environment.Broadcast equipment including cameras, microphones, and lighting — test for proper operation using established checklists before a scheduled program.Station policies and broadcast regulations — review and apply under supervisor guidance to ensure a single program segment meets compliance standards.Technical terminology and department roles — recognize and use accurately when relaying messages between engineering and production staff.Video creation and editing software — perform basic tasks such as importing footage and applying transitions under the guidance of an experienced technical director.Remote production equipment setup — assist in configuring switchers and monitors at a field location under the direction of a lead technician.Audio and video signal flow — trace and describe within a studio control room environment to support troubleshooting activities led by senior staff.Equipment training materials and operating manuals — read and comprehend in preparation for operating broadcast tools in a supervised studio setting.Shift logs and technical reports — complete accurately using standard templates to document equipment status and program events during a broadcast shift.
developing
Multi-source video switching — execute smooth transitions between cameras, slide projectors, and effects generators during a live studio production with minimal oversight.Camera framing and shading — monitor through control-room displays and provide timely direction to camera operators to maintain visual consistency across a broadcast.Pre-broadcast equipment tests — conduct independently and resolve common faults on switchers, monitors, and audio boards before a program goes to air.Broadcast compliance requirements — apply regulatory and station standards to routine program segments and flag potential violations to production management.Technical crew scheduling — assist in assigning duties to operators and technicians for a standard television or radio program production.Video editing and graphics software — use with proficiency to prepare lower-thirds, stills, and short clips that support a live or recorded broadcast.Remote broadcast setup — configure and operate production equipment at off-site locations, managing signal routing and communication links back to the studio.Interdepartmental coordination — serve as a reliable point of contact between engineering and production teams to resolve technical issues during a production day.New equipment orientation — conduct structured walkthroughs for crew members learning to use switchers, cameras, or lighting systems in a studio environment.Time-sensitive production decisions — apply critical thinking to select appropriate video sources and manage rundowns when a broadcast deviates from the planned schedule.
proficient
Complex live switcher operations — direct and execute multi-layer effects, virtual sets, and keying sequences autonomously during high-pressure network broadcasts.Full crew visual direction — oversee camera operators and shader technicians simultaneously, making real-time composition and exposure corrections across a multi-camera remote production.Comprehensive equipment performance evaluation — design and execute test protocols for new and existing broadcast systems, interpreting results to certify readiness for air.Regulatory compliance management — audit program content against FCC or network standards across an entire production day, making independent rulings on borderline cases.Technical staff supervision — assign, prioritize, and evaluate the work of a full team of operators and production technicians across multiple concurrent programs.Remote and studio production integration — operate as the lead technical director on large-scale live events, balancing signal feeds from multiple venues within a single broadcast.Broadcast technology stack — apply proficiency across video creation software, CAD-based control-room design tools, and operating systems to optimize production workflows.Non-routine fault resolution — diagnose and correct unexpected equipment failures under live broadcast conditions using deductive reasoning and deep systems knowledge.Cross-functional liaison role — translate technical constraints and capabilities for producers and executives, enabling informed creative and operational decisions on complex productions.Crew skill development — design individualized training plans for operators advancing in camera, audio, or switching roles within a broadcast department.
advanced
Department-wide technical strategy — define equipment acquisition, upgrade, and retirement roadmaps that align broadcast technology investments with multi-year organizational goals.Organizational compliance framework — establish and enforce station- or network-level broadcast standards and regulatory policies, serving as the final authority on technical governance.Leadership pipeline development — mentor senior technical directors and develop succession plans that build sustained technical leadership capacity across a broadcast organization.Large-scale remote production architecture — oversee the design and execution of technical infrastructure for major live events, coordinating multi-site signal chains and vendor partnerships.Cross-department integration leadership — bridge engineering, IT, and creative production divisions at the executive level to deliver seamless broadcast operations across all platforms.Technology innovation adoption — evaluate and champion emerging broadcast technologies — IP-based production, cloud workflows, and AI-driven automation — for strategic deployment across the organization.Budget and resource governance — develop and manage capital and operational budgets for the technical production division, aligning expenditures with corporate broadcast priorities.Industry standards influence — represent the organization in professional and regulatory forums, contributing to the development of broadcast engineering and media production standards.Crisis and continuity leadership — lead organization-wide responses to major technical failures or regulatory emergencies, restoring broadcast operations while protecting brand integrity.Performance metrics and quality culture — define key performance indicators for technical operations and instill a culture of quality control analysis and continuous improvement across the entire broadcast workforce.
Also known as
17 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Broadcast DirectorNews DirectorNews Technical DirectorNewscast DirectorOperations DirectorOperations ManagerProduction DirectorProduction ManagerProduction SuperintendentProduction SupervisorRadio Station ManagerRadio Television Technical DirectorRecord ProducerRemote Operations ProducerStudio DirectorTechnical DirectorTest Editing Director