WLWT, the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati, Ohio, is seeking a strategic and experienced IT Manager to oversee the station’s critical IT systems, ensuring the reliability and security required for a 24/7 broadcast environment. This leadership role focuses on high-level infrastructure management, strategic planning, and team development. In this role, you will move beyond day-to-day help desk tasks to focus on the big picture of enterprise technology. You will manage complex systems, coordinate with corporate IT teams for specialized services, and oversee the development of AI tools and workflows using approved enterprise platforms such as GPT and Claude.
This is a unique opportunity to blend enterprise IT management with the fast-paced, dynamic world of broadcast media. This role is part of the WLWT Engineering Department and reports to the Chief Engineer, reflecting the department’s integrated approach to supporting station operations, production, technical, and information systems.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
- Manage IT workflow and priorities, balancing daily support needs with infrastructure reliability, project execution, and long-term improvement
- Collaborate with station engineering, news operations, production teams, and corporate IT leadership on technical initiatives and operational strategy
- Provide mentorship and coaching to support professional growth and technical development for the Broadcast Technologists and IT support Specialist
Infrastructure & Systems Management
- Manage and maintain hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) and enterprise virtualization platforms to support high availability for mission-critical applications
- Oversee network topology, including switching, connectivity, segmentation, VLAN configuration, and IP management
- Administer enterprise storage systems and backup solutions to ensure data integrity and disaster recovery readiness
- Manage Windows Server environments, including patch management and endpoint management strategies
- Oversee the development and implementation of AI tools and workflows using enterprise platforms such as GPT, Claude, and other approved solutions.
Security & Access Management
- Oversee station security compliance, including deployment and monitoring of endpoint protection systems
- Manage directory services and identity and access management, ensuring proper permissions and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) protocols
- Maintain secure remote access solutions, including VPN configuration and support
Broadcast & Production Systems
- Support specialized broadcast technology, including newsroom computer systems, media asset management, and production automation workflows
- Manage file transfer agents and workflows for high-volume media delivery
- Support streaming and OTT delivery platforms and digital content distribution efforts
IT Service Management & Coordination
- Use ServiceNow to manage incidents and service requests, ensuring accurate documentation, prioritization, and tracking
- Coordinate with corporate IT teams for Level 2 and Level 3 support, VoIP administration, and video conferencing services
- Oversee IT Asset Management (ITAM), including inventory tracking, lifecycle planning, and replenishment
Strategic Planning & Projects
- Partner with station departments to identify opportunities, support employee training, and promote the responsible use of AI in accordance with company policies.
- Coordinate IT capital planning and project management for station technology upgrades and infrastructure improvements
- Ensure compliance with corporate standards, policies, cybersecurity expectations, and software licensing requirements
- Support alignment between IT systems and broader engineering and broadcast workflows
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of training and military or industry experience
- Proven experience in IT infrastructure management, including virtualization, networking, and server administration
- Demonstrated leadership experience with a focus on mentoring and developing technical staff
- Strong understanding of network architecture, including TCP/IP, subnets, VLANs, and switching
- Experience with enterprise directory services and security protocols
- Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work effectively under pressure in a deadline-driven, 24/7 operational environment
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and collaborate across functions
Preferred:
- Experience working in a broadcast television, media production, or similarly fast-paced technical operations environment
- Certifications in virtualization platforms, networking, or Microsoft technologies
- Familiarity with broadcast-specific systems such as newsroom computer systems, automation platforms, and media workflow tools
Value in Action
At Hearst Television we tell stories every day. Stories about people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. That’s why, behind the scenes, we believe in being an organization that fosters collaboration and open communication, ensuring that the content we create is authentic, accurate, and connected to the communities we serve.
Benefits
Hearst's benefit programs are modern, flexible and designed to focus on you. As a Hearst employee, you and your spouse or partner or dependents would have access to the following benefits.
- Medical | Dental | Vision
- 401(k) matching
- Emotional Wellness Support
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- LGBTQ+ Health Services
- Additional benefits to meet your and your family's needs
