Role Overview

The Broadcast Operations Manager will lead the Gallop TV Broadcast Department, overseeing all live horse racing broadcasts, production operations, technical operations and racing preview programming across KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

Reporting to the Head of Marketing, Events & Broadcast, this role will ensure the highest standards of broadcast quality, storytelling, and technical delivery, while driving the creative development of engaging video content for both broadcast and digital platforms.

The Broadcast Operations Manager will manage two regional teams — Race Coast KZN Broadcast Manager and Race Coast Cape Broadcast Manager— who oversee Producers, Presenters, Broadcast Engineers, Sound Operators, Technicians, Video Editors, and Camera Operators.

The role requires a strong balance of operational leadership, technical expertise, and creative direction to ensure consistent, world-class coverage of all live race meetings, racing previews, and special feature content.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Oversee the complete broadcast operation for Gallop TV in both KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
• Lead and mentor the regional broadcast managers to ensure smooth delivery of live productions, previews, studio-based shows and TVC (TV Commercial) production.
• Set and maintain technical, creative and operational standards for all broadcast outputs.
• Work closely with the Head of Marketing, Events & Broadcast to align broadcast content with Race Coast’s overall marketing, sponsorship, and audience engagement strategies.
• Develop and manage production schedules for local and national racing content.

Live Broadcast Management

• Ensure seamless live coverage of all race meetings, including coordination between production, engineering, and on-course teams.
• Supervise pre-production planning: camera plans, crew deployment, technical setup, and broadcast logistics.
• Oversee post-production workflows for replays, highlights, and packaged content.
• Manage signal quality and compliance for Gallop TV’s feeds to Telemedia and to the SABC and liaise with SABC broadcast teams to ensure consistent communication and technical coordination with their broadcast team.

Racecourse Audio-Visual & Venue Experience Oversight

Tasks:

• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of audio-visual execution across all large-format screens, in-venue LED displays, information boards and betting-related content systems at all Race Coast venues.
• Ensure seamless broadcast feed integration with on-course screens for race days, major events, corporate hospitality, and public race-day activations.
• Oversee audio and public-address systems to ensure race commentary, announcements, and entertainment audio are delivered clearly and professionally.
• Coordinate with technical crews, venue operations, and third-party AV partners to manage system checks, troubleshooting, and live support on race days.
• Maintain and continuously improve race-day fan experience through audio-visual quality, real-time racing information delivery, and on-screen content strategy.
• Provide strategic guidance and future-proofing for venue AV and sound system upgrades, ensuring synergy with broadcast technology advancements.

Content Creation & Innovation

• Oversee the conceptualisation and creation of racing previews, feature segments, and adverts for both broadcast and social media.
• Drive innovation in video storytelling and viewer engagement to grow the audience for the sport of horse racing.
• Collaborate with the Digital Marketing and Creative Design teams to align broadcast and digital content strategies.

Technical Oversight

• Oversee all technical infrastructure and equipment used in the broadcast operations, including OB vans, camera systems, editing suites, and sound equipment, ensuring adherence to professional standards.
• Work closely with Broadcast Engineers and Technicians on maintenance, system upgrades and troubleshooting to ensure uptime.
• Ensure all broadcast activities comply with relevant technical, safety and regulatory requirements.
• Continuously keep abreast of broadcast technology advancements, production techniques, and viewer engagement trends.
• Identify and recommend enhancements or upgrades to ensure Gallop TV maintains the highest broadcast standards and delivers an optimum viewing experience across all platforms.

People & Performance Management

• Provide leadership and direction to:
• KZN Broadcast Manager
• Cape Broadcast Manager
• Oversee recruitment, training, and professional development of production and technical team.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture across both regions.
• Manage crew scheduling and ensure compliance with safety & operational protocols, and quality control.

Budgeting & Reporting

• Manage the broadcast department budget, including staffing, equipment, and operational production costs.
• Ensure cost efficiency while maintaining production quality.
• Report monthly on operational performance, audience engagement and broadcast innovations to the Head of Marketing, Events & Broadcast.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Proven experience managing live broadcast production operations in sports, media, or entertainment.
• Strong understanding of broadcast technology, broadcast engineering, live signal transmission, and post-production workflows.
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities across multi-regional teams.
• Creative and technical understanding of viewer engagement and content impact.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills and experience liaising with external partners (e.g., SABC, production vendors).
• High resilience and performance under high-pressure, live broadcast environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Broadcast Production, Media, Film & Television, or related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years’ experience in broadcast operations, including at least 3 years in a senior management or executive production role.
• Experience in sports broadcasting (horse racing, in particular) highly advantageous.
• Knowledge of digital broadcast integration and streaming advantageous.

Reporting Line

• Reports To: Head of Marketing, Events & Broadcast (Race Coast)
• Direct Reports:
• KZN Broadcast Manager
• Cape Broadcast Manager
• Indirect Reports:
• Producers
• Presenters
• Broadcast Engineers
• Sound Operators
• Technicians
• Video Editors
• Camera Operators

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Broadcast reliability and quality of live transmission.
• Delivery of racing previews and feature content on time and within budget.
• Viewer satisfaction and audience engagement metrics (TV and digital).
• Technical uptime and minimal broadcast interruptions.
• Creative innovation and contribution to marketing objectives.
• Effective communication and coordination with SABC and other broadcast partners.
• Implementation of new technologies and broadcast innovations.
• 100% race days delivered with seamless large format and in-venue AV and sound.
• Zero critical AV failures affecting customer experience or broadcast quality.
• Successful execution of digital screen content schedules and race-day fan engagement initiatives.
• Documented upgrades and AV enhancement roadmap aligned to strategic broadcast innovation.

Summary:
The Broadcast Operations Manager ensures Gallop TV remains at the forefront of live racing coverage and creative content production – blending operational excellence, technical leadership, and innovation to deliver engaging, world-class horse racing broadcasts.