Manager, Graphics Playout

• Compensation: USD 115,000 - USD 140,000 - yearly

VERSANT (Nasdaq: VSNT) is an industry-changing media and entertainment business and home to trusted brands that shape culture, inform audiences, and build lasting connections. It operates across four core markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and sports and genre entertainment. These markets are served through a powerful portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including CNBC, MS NOW, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!,

SYFY, and Versant's sports division USA Sports, along with complementary digital assets including Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, Golf Now and Golf Pass.

We are seeking a versatile, highly skilled, and leadership‑oriented Manager, Graphics Playout with significant experience in live news coverage to join our team. This role oversees the real‑time delivery of on‑air graphics, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and visual consistency across all news broadcasts.

The Manager will lead a 24/7 graphics playout team supporting live and pre‑produced programming, breaking news, and special events. This position requires strong leadership, deep technical expertise in broadcast graphics systems, and the ability to thrive in high‑pressure, fast‑paced live production environments.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Strategy

• Lead, supervise, and develop a 24/7 graphics playout team, including overnights, weekends, and holidays, in multiple locations including Manhattan, NY and Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
• Provide expert technical and editorial support to on‑air and off‑air productions.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Engineering, Show Teams, Real‑Time Graphics, Editorial, and other production groups.
• Lead and manage a team comprising both union‑represented and non‑union employees and freelancers, ensuring compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements while maintaining consistent performance standards.
• Drive collaboration across departments to support maintenance, testing, and implementation of new and existing technologies and workflows.
• Foster a culture of accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Train and mentor staff on best practices, newsroom workflows, and system enhancements.

Live Graphics Operations

• Oversee the execution of full‑screen graphics, lower thirds, and other visual elements during live and recorded broadcasts.
• Operate and manage playout systems (e.g., Vizrt Trio and other industry‑standard platforms).
• Coordinate closely with editorial and production teams to align graphics with scripts, rundowns, and breaking news updates.
• Collaborate with designers to deploy urgent and breaking news graphics in real time.
• Ensure brand consistency, editorial accuracy, and high production standards across all visual elements.

Technical Oversight & Troubleshooting

• Understanding of control room workflows such as routing, engine inputs, and multiview layouts
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues quickly to minimize on‑air disruptions.
• Maintain quality control standards for design integrity, data accuracy, and system reliability.
• Support testing and rollout of new graphics systems, workflows, and display technologies.
• Ensure proper scheduling and staffing coverage for all broadcasts and special events.

Performance Indicators

• Accuracy and timeliness of on‑air graphics execution.
• Minimal technical or operational errors during live broadcasts.
• Team productivity, efficiency, and adherence to brand standards.
• Successful support of breaking news and high‑profile live events.
• Effective cross‑functional collaboration and workflow optimization.

Required Experience

• 5+ years of experience in graphics playout within a live broadcast environment.
• Minimum 3 years of experience focused on news programming.
• At least 1 year of leadership, supervisory, or mentorship experience.
• Proven experience working in live studio and control room environments.

Technical Expertise

• Proficiency with industry‑standard graphics systems (Vizrt, Ross, Chyron, etc.).
• Strong experience with Vizrt platforms (including Vizrt Trio).
• Experience with newsroom systems such as iNews and other broadcast…