VP, Tech Ops & Infrastructure
1 day ago
Denver
Job Description:\n\nVP, Tech Ops & Infrastructure Denver, CO Rocky Mountain Public Media, Inc. (RMPM) is the parent company of Rocky Mountain PBS, KUVO Jazz, and The Drop 104.7. Over one million Coloradans turn to Rocky Mountain PBS, KUVO Jazz and THE DROP 104.7 each month to discover provocative and inspiring local, national and international content and experiences; seek diverse viewpoints to bridge seeming differences and deepen collective understanding about complex issues; score front row center seats to world-class performances; and practice lifelong learning across generations. Over the last five years, RMPM has experienced significant growth, doubling our annual operating revenues and significantly expanding local content and experiences to deepen impact with and for Coloradans. Our team shares a commitment to our mission and vision, which is to strengthen the civic fabric of Colorado through public media in service of a Colorado where everyone feels seen and heard. RMPM is seeking a strategic and operationally excellent Vice President of Technology and Engineering to oversee the technology infrastructure that powers our statewide radio and television broadcast systems, IT operations, and digital platforms. This role sits at the intersection of technical operations, project management, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration requiring someone who can not only understand complex broadcast and IT systems, but who can connect the dots across departments, anticipate challenges before they become problems, and translate technical needs into business outcomes. The role will be responsible for ensuring reliable, compliant, and efficient operation of our tech infrastructure while building a culture of proactive risk management, continuous improvement, and innovation. This is not purely a technical role. We need a leader who thinks strategically about how technology enables our mission, who can manage complex projects across multiple stakeholders, and who excels at making technical concepts accessible to non-technical leaders. Reporting to the Chief Digital Officer, the VP of Technology and Engineering will oversee the Technology team and ensure that all technical operations support RMPM's content and programming across KRMA-TV, KRMJ-TV, KTSC-TV, KRMU-TV, KRMZ-TV, KUVO-FM and associated digital platforms. This postion demands technical fluency in engineering, IT systems, and RF technology, combined with strong project management capabilities, strategic thinking, and a commitment to maintain the highest standards of technical quality and regulatory compliance. A Day in the Life Your morning starts with a call from your Senior Broadcast Engineer about last night's outage. They handled the tehnical fix, but you're identifying the pattern because this is the third occurrence related to an aging system in your tech debt inventory. You pull notes from recent MSO conversations and realize this tactical problem signals a strategic need: time to accelerate the infrastructure refresh timeline you've been building with the CDO. You draft a business case connecting operational pain points to next fiscal year's budget planning. Mid-morning, you facilitate a cross-functional meeting with the Radio Finance, and Studio Strategy and Ops teams on an upcoming studio expanision. You're asking questions, translating technical proposals into business terms, and identifying opportunities to address adjacent tech debt within the project scope. While not on your team, you are tightly-coupled with the Digital Transformation and Execution team, and you end the day in a working session with the Director of Digital Transformation. Together you map digital infrastructure needs for a new content initiative, helping them understand technical feasibility, identifying what requires investment, and connecting their platform needs to your broader technology roadmap. You update your running list of tactical problems that need strategic solutions. This role requires someone who moves fluidly between operational details and strategic planning, sees how single equipment failures signal needs for policy changes or budget reallocations, and excels at connecting dots between technical operations, organizational strategy, vendor relationships, and cross-functional goals. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Operational ManagementDevelop and execute technology strategies aligned with organizational goals, serving a a strategic partner to the CDO and the executive team.Manage and oversee day-to-day technology operations, including engineering, IT, broadcast operations, and special projects for statewide radio, television, and digital web services.Lead cross-functional initiatives that require technology integration, serving as a "dot connector" between the tech team, digital transformation team, and other departments.Ensure reliable and continuous operation of all technical facilities and equipment including: KRMA-TV, KRMJ-TV, KTSC-TV, KRMU-TV, KRMZ-TV, KUVO-FM, microwave networks, transmitters, translators, satellite operations, telecommunications non-broadcast operations, RIC facility, and IT services.Develop and maintain comprehensive risk management frameworks to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate technology-related operational risks.Build and maintain an outage tracking and analysis system that goes beyond logging incidents, identifying root causes, patterns, and opportunities for systemic improvements. Project and Change ManagementLead large-scale technology projects from conception through implementation, managing timelines, budgets, stakeholder expectations, and cross-functional dependencies.Develop and implement plans for regular video and audio proof-of-performance of technical facilities, and oversee maintenance personnel in the execution of such proofs and documentation.Oversee all technology needs related to facility design and build projects, ensuring projects are completed on-time, within budget, and to specification.Manage technical vendor relationships and consultants to ensure effective resource allocation, competitive pricing, and high-quality service delivery. Compliance & Regulatory ManagementEnsure adherence to FCC rules and regulations and manage the ongoing changing and updating of the station's technical operations to maintain compliance.Serve as responsible party for the management of FCC files and compliance certification for all RMPM broadcast properties.Maintain thorough knowledge of broadcast systems and FCC government regulations and industry standards required to ensure the organization's technical compliance.Coordinate with legal and executive teams on regulatory matters and license renewals as needed. Infrastructure & Facilities ManagementOversee and manage leases for non-owned transmission site locations and owned locations, ensuring cost-effectiveness and operational reliability.Coordinate with Regional Information Centers (RIC) on agreements where RMPM assets and equipment are located.Plan, organize, and direct the maintenance and repair of radio and television equipment to minimize downtime and ensure broadcast quality.Monitor and evaluate technical infrastructure performance, identifying opportunities for optimization and improvement.Develop long-term infrastructure roadmaps that balance current operational needs with future organizational goals. Budget & Financial ManagementPrepare, manage, and administer approved annual engineering capital and operating budgets with accountability for staying within budget parameters.Support long-term capital planning efforts by providing technical imput, cost estimates, and recommendations for capital investment decisions.Evaluate and recommend new technology investments that support operational efficiency, reliability, and strategic goals, presenting recommendations with clear ROI analysis to the CDO and executive leadership.Manage vendor contracts and negotiate favorable terms for equipment purchases, maintenance agreements, and technical services.Think strategically about total cost of ownership, not just upfront costs, considering maintenance, training, scalability, and long-term value. Team Leadership & DevelopmentLead and develop the Technology and Engineering team, providing clear direction, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities for individual growth.Build team capacity through effective coaching, mentoring, and skills development initiatives.Foster a collaborative and accountable work environment that adheres to RMPM's organizational values and standards.Recruit, hire, and retain qualified technical staff to meet operational needs.Conduct regular team meetings to communicate priorities, share knowledge, and ensure alignment across the technology and engineering departments.Cultivate a culture of proactive problem-solving, continuous improvement, and strategic thinking. Continuous Improvement & InnovationStay current with broadcast, digital, and IT industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to inform operational decisions.Evaluate opportunities for process improvement and operational efficiency gains.Implement best practices in technical operations, maintenance protocols, and documentation standards.Foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptation with the technology and engineering teams.Identify and champion innovative solutions that improve reliability, reduce costs, or enhance organizational capabilities. Other duties, as assigned. Key Attributes & Qualifications of Position Key AttributesStrategic thinker who can see beyond immediate technical issues to identify patterns, anticipate challenges, and develop proactive solutions that align with organizational goals.Dot connector who excels at bridging technical and non-technical stakeholders, translating complex concepts into business language, and identifying how technology initiatives impact across departments.Proactive risk manager who doesn't just respond to outages but thinks systematically about vulnerability, redundancy, and mitigation strategies.Project management excellence with the ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with competing priorities and resource constraints.Strong problem-solver with excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, able to diagnose complex technical issues and implement effective solutions.Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and ability to manage multipe projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality standards.Effective communicator able to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and build alignment across teams.Collaborative leader who builds strong relationships with team members, vendors, and cross-functional partners.Accountable and reliable, with a track record of meeting deadlines and following through on commitments.Adaptable and resilient, able to respond effectively to technical emergencies and changing priorities.Committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful team environment aligned with organizational values. Experience and QualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related technical field and a minimum of six (6) years of experience managing Broadcast or IT operations or technology projects; or equivalent combination of education and expertise.Strong project management background with demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional technology initiatives from planning through execution.Technical fluency in broadcast engineering, IT systems, and RF technology. Sufficient to understand technical discussions, evaluate recommendations, and make informed decisions.Proven experience in risk management and business continuity planning, with ability to think proactively about system vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies.Knowledge of broadcast systems and FCC government regulations and industry standards.Broadcast Engineering Certification preferred (FCC license, Society of Broadcast Engineer (SBE) certification).Demonstrated leadership ability with strong communication and collaboration skills, able to manage teams effectively through both direct supervision and influence.Proven ability to think strategically about technology's role in organizational success, understanding industry trends, anticipating problems and opportunities, and driving operational improvements.Strong budget management experience with demonstrated ability to manage capital and operating budgets effectively.Experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating contracts.Ability and willingness to travel throughout the region on an as-needed basis.Valid driver's license and clean driving record required.Ability to respond to after-hours technical emergencies as needed. PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION: Persons interested in this position must apply at . Please submit the following items:A cover letter detailing how the applicant's qualifications fit the needs of RMPM and information on how the applicant found out about the job opening.A resume detailing education, training, and employment experience. Position will be posted at until filled. No phone calls please. KRMA-TV/KTSC-TV/KRMJ-TV/KRMU-TV/KRMZ-TV and KUVO-FM/KVJZ-FM are licensed to and operated by Rocky Mountain Public Media, Inc. as non-commercial public television and radio. Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and/or people of color are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every qualification. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workforce. If you're excited about this role, feel a passion for our mission, this feels like it could be your dream job, but your previous experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply! Work Environment This position works primarily in office, studio, and statewide transmission locations. The position requires the ability to work in various technical environments, including transmitter sites, equipment rooms, and outdoor facilities. Must be able to work a flexible schedule with occasionally long hours, including some evenings and weekends for maintenance windows or emergency response. Must be able to travel throughout the state on a regular basis to visit remote transmission sites and coordinate with regional partners. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employees encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands The position requires standard office work physical demands as well as the ability to work in technical environments, including climbing ladders, working at heights, lifting equipment up to 50 pounds, and working in confined spaces or outdoor environments in various weather conditions. The phys