Associate Director - Input and Newsgathering, Star Sport

About the Role:

Star Sports is the leading sports broadcaster in India. Our trusted network offers a wide variety of sports content, broadcasting all major sports events such as IPL, ICC, English Premier League, Pro Kabaddi, Wimbledon to name a few. Star Sports has redefined sports broadcasting in India with extensive cricket coverage across domestic and international matches. It also offers regional channels in multiple languages to cater to the diverse linguistic audiences in India. We serve high quality content to millions of customers with world class technology innovations, talent, and production. The Associate Director of Input and News Gathering will develop and implement strategic plans for content delivery, provide visionary leadership to motivate a team of producers, and possess a developed sense of curiosity and imagination to share original story concepts.

Context:
Star Sports is a key catalyst in driving a multisport culture in India. Over the past 5 years we have invested in and partnered with key stakeholders to popularize sports beyond Cricket. We serve high quality content to millions of customers daily across millions of devices, all of which are constantly evolving and changing. Sports is a primary pillar for the network. From the dominating world of Cricket, the focus now is to grow and develop other sporting properties such as PKL, Wimbledon, and English Premier League. The successful applicant understands how to grow and engage audiences across television, digital, and social media platforms. You are a storyteller at heart with the journalistic acumen to arrest the imaginations of audiences around the country.

Key Responsibilities:
•Lead and inspire a team of producers setting the editorial tone and direction that complies with the highest standards of journalistic integrity and quality. Work in tandem with the content team to deliver highly original stories that excite and delight audiences.
•Develop a robust operations plan for content delivery in line with the network’s programming objectives.
•Manage Input logistics including resource and staffing allocation, scheduling, budgeting, and workflow optimisation.
•Display impeccable editorial judgment and decision-making skills with an emphasis of prioritising stories that dominate the news and entertainment agenda. Use your extensive networks and developed relationships to generate unique content.
•A developed understanding of audience habits and behaviours to customise content for our diverse set of audiences. Collaborate with Star Sports Content, Production, Technology, and Commercial teams to ensure seamless delivery of content.
•Oversee news gathering processes and practices to maintain efficiencies that conform to the highest possible standards.
•Work with our internal data and analytics teams to evaluate audience sentiment and expectations.
•Build a work environment that is inclusive, positive, and encourages creativity and audacious thinking.
•Ensure our storytelling is compliant with ethical guidelines and appropriate legal standards.
 

Performance Measures:
•Deliver end to end business operations with high ownership and detailed orientation.
•Ensure that most stories and editorial concepts are featured on the Star Sports platforms.

Qualifications:
•5-7 years of relevant industry experience.
•Graduate/post-graduate in any stream.
•Proficiency in Newsroom management software and tools.

Personal Attributes:
•Solutions oriented approach with a proven track record of problem solving.
•Highly developed editorial judgment with a pulse on the stories that invigorate sports fans.
•Experience in crisis management.
•Strong leadership skills and team-building strategies.
•Manage a diverse range of stakeholders.
•Work and thrive within a dynamic and fast paced environment.
•A cool demeanour under pressure.
•Dynamic individual with highly developed communication skills.
•A positive and persuasive attitude.

About Star Sports
The Star Sports Network is home to several leading domestic and international sports with 17 channels broadcasting premier sporting events which include cricket coverage under the purview of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL), International Cricket Council (ICC), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket South Africa and Asian Cricket Council (ACC); VIVO Pro Kabaddi; Premier League; and Wimbledon amongst others.