THE OPPORTUNITY

If you thrive when the pressure is on and the stakes are live, this is your moment. As Technical Director – Herald Now Vision, you’ll take ownership of the end-to-end technical execution of The New Zealand Herald’s daily early-morning live news programming—operating pre-sunrise and ensuring every second hits air cleanly, confidently, and to standard.

You’ll be the calm, hands-on technical lead in the control room—overseeing studio configuration, signal routing, live crosses, remote contributions and Zoom calls, and making fast, smart calls to protect broadcast continuity. You’ll also act as the Tier-2 technical escalation point during live transmission, partnering closely with directors, producers, camera ops, reporters and engineering to keep the show rock-solid.

This is a role for someone who loves the craft and the pace of live news—where every morning brings new stories, new challenges, and the satisfaction of delivering a consistently high-quality on-air product.

HOW YOU’LL DO IT

You’ll combine strong operational discipline with sharp troubleshooting skills and great communication keeping everything and everyone aligned when it matters most.

Live production & control room operations (vision)

• Operate and oversee the studio production environment, supporting graphics systems, audio quality, and automation tools during live broadcasts.

• Diagnose and resolve issues in real time to protect on-air continuity and minimise disruption.

• Partner with internal support teams to continuously build out and improve the daily product.

Live crosses & field connectivity

• Set up, test, and manage live crosses using multiple contribution paths including LiveU, Zoom, and fixed regional camera locations—ensuring everything is ready ahead of airtime.

• Coordinate with reporters, field crews and newsroom teams to deliver stable, high-quality feeds for live and breaking coverage.

• Monitor latency, audio/video synchronisation, signal integrity and redundancy paths, implementing fallback solutions to protect continuity during live inserts.

Equipment & technical support

• Oversee setup, operation and ongoing maintenance of studio systems including cameras, lighting, microphones, IFB/comms, production switchers, routers and monitoring tools to ensure broadcast readiness.

• Support field teams by preparing, configuring and testing gear pre “go-live”, and troubleshooting when required.

• Log, track and escalate technical issues to engineering teams to support fault diagnosis, repair and continuous improvement.

Quality control & compliance

• Maintain recognised industry standards for image quality, audio performance and operational safety, ensuring consistent professional output.

• Keep delivery aligned with established brand, editorial and broadcast standards across programmes.

Collaboration & communication

• Work closely with directors/producers on programme rundowns, graphics timing and integration of external feeds.

• Communicate clearly and calmly with control room teams, floor crew and field operators during live broadcasts.

• Translate technical constraints into practical guidance for non-technical stakeholders, supporting decision-making under live conditions.

• Mentor junior staff and support onboarding/training to strengthen capability and resilience in the team.

ABOUT YOU

You’re a composed operator with a problem-solving mindset—and you’re at your best when it’s live, fast, and needs fixing now. You bring strong technical judgement, great communication, and the ability to keep calm under pressure.

Must-haves (what you’ll bring):

• Proven experience in a live broadcast environment (e.g., Technical Director, Vision Switcher, Broadcast Operator, or similar).

• Strong understanding of end-to-end broadcast workflows: studio operations, signal routing, and integration across vision environments.

• Proficiency across core broadcast systems: production switchers, audio consoles, graphics, routers and newsroom automation platforms.

• Hands-on experience with remote contribution technologies (e.g., LiveU, Dejero, satellite uplink).

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot on-air faults quickly and effectively to maintain broadcast continuity.

• Excellent time management and organisational skills in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• A collaborative style—able to work smoothly across technical, editorial and production teams.

Nice-to-haves (great if you’ve got them):

• Broadcast/media technology certification or tertiary qualification.

• Experience with multi-platform broadcasting (linear TV, digital streaming, social live hits).

• Familiarity with newsroom computer systems (e.g., ENPS, iNews, Dalet).

• Knowledge of IP-based broadcast systems and NDI workflows.

Ways of working & values

• You’ll be expected to comply with NZME policies (including Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards), uphold Health & Safety and wellness requirements, and demonstrate NZME values.

WHATS ON OFFER

You’ll work in central Auckland in a modern, well-equipped office environment with studios and newsroom hubs—plus multiple breakout areas and the iHeart Lounge that hosts internal events.
You’ll join a culture that values diversity and inclusion, where innovation and fun are part of the everyday—and you’re encouraged to bring your whole self to work.
You’ll also have access to development opportunities (including options like workshops, leadership programmes, mentoring, coaching and external development pathways) and be part of a high-performing team delivering live news at pace.
And when you need support, NZME offers Wellbeing Advocates—trained, trusted team members across the business who can provide confidential guidance and help point you to the right support options.

Sound good? It is — apply now!

All applicants will be asked about their working rights in New Zealand (e.g., citizen, resident, visa, no visa etc.).