Churchill Downs Racetrack ("CDRT"), the world's most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September and Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility . ;br>
JOB SUMMARYThe Director, Broadcast Engineering is responsible for leading all broadcast engineering operations supporting Churchill Downs Racetrack's live racing, television productions, simulcast operations, and special events. This hands-on leadership role oversees the installation, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of broadcast, audio, video, and broadcast IT systems that ensure reliable, high-quality production and venue operations.
Working closely with the Senior Director/Executive Producer, production leadership, operations, and broadcast partners, this position provides technical leadership for live broadcasts, engineering projects, infrastructure upgrades, and day-to-day operations while leading an engineering team in a fast-paced, high-pressure live production environment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESBroadcast Engineering & Technical Operations- Install, configure, maintain, and support broadcast equipment, videoboard operations, venue audio systems, and broadcast IT infrastructure.
- Configure and support Evertz routers, RTS intercom systems, KVM systems, QSC audio systems, Dante audio networks, QAM headend systems, and fiber optic infrastructure.
- Support day-to-day broadcast operations, live events, and television productions while ensuring operational readiness and system reliability.
- Coordinate frequency management and signal distribution for major live events.
Engineering Leadership & Project Management- Lead and manage the broadcast engineering team while overseeing multiple technical projects and live event operations.
- Participate in venue construction and infrastructure projects related to broadcast systems.
- Provide overall design feedback for construction and infrastructure projects at appropriate times to ensure alignment with the multi-year lifecycle.
- Provide technical leadership and make real-time operational decisions in a high-pressure live production environment.
Governance, Security & Lifecycle Management- Partner closely with Corporate IT, Information Security, and other technology teams to ensure broadcast networks, systems, software, and connected devices meet company security and technology standards.
- Maintain accurate system and asset documentation, support security assessments and remediation activities, and actively participate in cross-functional troubleshooting through resolution.
- Develop and maintain a multi-year lifecycle and technology roadmap for broadcast, audio, video, network, and supporting software infrastructure.
- Proactively identify aging, unsupported, or end-of-life technologies and devices and participate in annual capital planning and budgeting to ensure critical systems are refreshed, upgraded, or replaced before they create operational, security, or reliability risks.
Broadcast Partner Support- Serve as the primary engineering liaison with broadcast partners regarding technical setup and venue requirements.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to support successful broadcast operations and live event execution.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
REGULATORYAbility to obtain and maintain a Kentucky racing license and successfully complete all applicable background check requirements.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES- Advanced knowledge of broadcast engineering systems and live production operations.
- Strong leadership, project management, process, and engineering team development skills.
- Expertise supporting broadcast control room operations and production workflows.
- Proficiency with QSC audio systems, Dante audio networking, Evertz routing systems, RTS intercom systems, and KVM infrastructure.
- Strong understanding of broadcast IT networks, signal distribution, fiber optic systems, and RF frequency coordination.
- Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Strong communication skills with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across Broadcast Engineering, Information Technology, Information Security, Operations, and external partners, including shared ownership of troubleshooting and issue resolution.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard engineering documentation software.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE- Bachelor's degree required; 12+ years of relevant broadcast engineering experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- 10+ years of engineering management experience supporting broadcast or live production environments.
- Demonstrated experience supporting live television broadcasts, studio productions, and major live events.
- Experience in a sports venue required; horse racing experience preferred.
- Experience with QSC audio systems, Dante networking, broadcast IT systems, fiber optic infrastructure, and venue broadcast operations.
- QSC, Dante, Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), and Fiber Optic certifications preferred.
- Experience with AutoCAD and Bluebeam Revu preferred.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS- Ability to lift, move, and install broadcast equipment weighing up to 70 pounds.
- Ability to work on ladders, rooftops, elevated platforms, and in confined spaces.
- Regular standing, walking, climbing, bending, kneeling, and moving throughout the facility to support engineering operations.
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, rotating schedules, and extended hours as required to support racing events and live broadcasts.
- Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure live production environment.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.
Work With UsChurchill Downs Incorporated is an inclusive and fun place to work. We celebrate unique approaches and points of view. We believe diversity is a mindset that drives excellence. We're always learning, evolving and growing. We innovate through mutual respect of ideas and collaboration. This allows us to build a common language that inspires our team members and propels us toward the achievement of our vision.
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