Job Title: Lead Automation Director

Job Ref: LAD-473

Closing Date: 29th April 2026

Summary

The Lead Automation Director is the senior technical and operational authority for automated directing, show design, and workflow development. In addition to directing major programmes (and Co-directing), they provide leadership across automation operations, programme setup, and team development. Acting as Director on the most complex productions, the role combines high-level Vizrt Mosart knowledge with strong editorial collaboration and people leadership.

The Lead Automation Director plays a key role in designing new programmes, refining automation templates, and raising operational standards across the directing team. They will manage a section of the directing team and be aligned to champion the directing and output of a specified channel.

Responsibilities

• Lead direction of complex and flagship programmes using Vizrt Mosart.
• Design, develop, and maintain automated show workflows and templates.
• Programme setup, show design, and technical setup for new output.
• Act as senior authority during live production, providing leadership and decision making.
• Collaborate with editorial, engineering, and production stakeholders on workflow innovation.
• Support documentation, training materials, and operational standards.
• Drive consistency of show formats, workflows, and on-air standards.
• Mentor and develop Senior, Automation, and Junior Automation Directors.
• Deputise for the management when required.
• Ensure compliance with broadcast operations policies and health & safety requirements.
• Report issues and escalate incidents to the appropriate teams, owning follow-up to ensure resolution.
• Evaluate incidents for improvement, proactively implementing those improvements.
• Co-ordinating the crew effectively and in a safe manner, following correct H&S practices.
• Be across changes and how it impacts the role.
• Ensure training, rotas, and staffing models meet operational demand.
• Participate in cross functional Working Groups to ensure effective ownership, delivery and continuous improvement of end-to-end workflows and services.
• To undertake any other reasonable duties as required.

Requirements

• Expert “super user” level Vizrt Mosart knowledge, including template curation and show design.
• Extensive experience directing high pressure automated live broadcasts.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring capabilities.
• Deep technical understanding of broadcast automation and production systems.
• Proven ability to innovate and improve automated workflows.
• Excellent communication skills and collaborative leadership style.
• Ability to create and maintain effective documentation and training material.
• A knowledge of world news and major events.
• Flexibility to work across all production shifts.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot technical and editorial issues under pressure.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and decision-making skills.
• Flexibility to work across all shift patterns.
• Demonstrated creativity and visual flair in directing and setting up programmes.
• The ideal candidate will have experience directing foreign language programming and understand the different dynamic this involves.
• Understanding of Health and Safety in the workplace.
• Extensive gallery and studio experience.
• Excellent timekeeping, verbal and written communication skills.

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating notes of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.