Director of Audio Visual Engineering, Live Journalism

About the Role

Live journalism is central to our mission at Semafor. Our goal is to foster dialogue, produce compelling journalism, create newsmaking moments, and provide our audiences with a world-class live experience through our events. Since our launch, we have built an innovative live journalism platform that includes major news-breaking summits, in depth interview series, and insightful roundtable events. We are now rapidly expanding our live journalism business.

We are seeking a visionary and experienced Director of Audio Visual Engineering to lead our AV initiatives and elevate our event production capabilities. The Director of Audio Visual Engineering will play a leadership role in driving the insourcing of AV equipment and services at Semafor’s in-house Washington, DC event venue, ensuring top-tier execution of all events held within the event space, while also leading AV vendor management for events taking place at outside venues. 

This role requires a strategic thinker who can also be hands on and in the trenches with an agile team of freelancers to produce high quality and cost efficient live event experiences. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise in AV technology, livestream management, excellent leadership skills, and a passion for delivering exceptional event experiences. The ideal candidate will also be a hands-on leader who can recruit and manage a roster of vetted freelancers, acquire and maintain AV equipment, and collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure seamless event execution, both in-person and online. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership:
• Plan and execute the insourcing of AV equipment and services, developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy that aligns with the company’s goals and event needs.
• Assess and identify the necessary AV technologies and equipment required to support a diverse range of events, including multi-day Summits, half-day programs, and short newsmaker events. 
• Establish and maintain relationships with key vendors and suppliers to ensure timely procurement and maintenance of AV equipment.
2. Team Management:
• Manage a roster of freelance AV technicians and engineers, ensuring adequate staffing for all events.
• Provide hands-on leadership during events, troubleshooting issues and ensuring that the technical aspects of all events, including livestreams, meet the highest standards.
3. Event Execution:
• Manage the setup, operation, and breakdown of AV systems for all events, ensuring flawless execution and minimal technical disruptions.
• Manage all aspects of live streaming, including video and audio quality, encoding, and distribution across various platforms.
• Collaborate with event coordinators, production teams, and clients to understand event requirements and tailor AV and livestream solutions accordingly.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the performance of AV systems during events and livestreams, making real-time adjustments as needed.
4. Livestream Management:
• Design and implement best practices for live streaming events, ensuring high-quality broadcasts that engage online audiences.
• Coordinate with marketing and communications teams to integrate live streams into Semafor’s digital strategy.
• Ensure the reliability and security of livestreams, including backup plans to address potential technical issues.
5. Budget and Resource Management:
• Develop and manage the AV budgets, including forecasting costs for equipment, maintenance, staffing, and live streaming infrastructure.
• Optimize resource allocation to maximize efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of service delivery.
• Monitor and report on the financial performance of the AV department, identifying opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
6. Innovation and Continuous Improvement:
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging AV and livestreaming technologies, recommending and implementing new solutions to enhance the company’s event offerings.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to streamline AV operations and improve the overall quality of event production and livestreams.
• Foster a culture of innovation within the AV team, encouraging creative problem-solving and a commitment to excellence.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Audio Visual Technology, Engineering, Event Management, or a related field.
• 7 years of experience in AV engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of successfully managing AV operations and livestreaming for large-scale events.
• Strong technical knowledge of AV systems, including audio, video, lighting, control systems, and livestream technologies.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with experience leading a team of AV professionals and freelancers.
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities and the capacity to perform under pressure.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in budget management and resource allocation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a startup environment.
• Certification in AV technologies (e.g., CTS, CTS-D, CTS-I).
• Experience with project management software, AV system design tools, and live streaming platforms.

Salary: $130,000 - $160,000

Salary : $130,000 - $160,000