Job Summary

The Department of Communication Arts is seeking a Media Services Manager to provide technical expertise, operational planning, budget oversight, project management and oversight of equipment used by media production courses, research, and outreach programs. The Media Services Manager supervises the technical support staff in the Department of Communication Arts and assists and guides them in achieving the Department’s instructional, research, and administrative goals. This staff includes a Teaching, Learning and Technology Specialist II, Media Operations Specialist, and Curator III.

The facilities supported by this team include the Instructional Media Center, media production suites, two large soundstage studios, a cinema screening facility, Media Preservation facilities, and all CommArts classrooms and research facilities in Vilas Hall. Media technology supported by this team includes hundreds of cameras and other pieces of media production equipment used by students, video and audio editing equipment, film and digital cinema projection equipment, film and tape evaluation equipment, and a library of thousands of film and television titles.

This position is also responsible for innovating the use of media technology in all areas of the Department and planning and managing major equipment upgrades and facilities renovations. The Media Services Manager will represent Communication Arts as one of its technical and facility liaisons, working with L&S administrative (L&S ART) and IT (L&S ITS) staff, University IT (DoIT) and facilities (FP&M) staff, and external technology vendors as needed. The position reports to the Department Chair.

Key Job Responsibilities

• May monitor the unit budget and/or approve expenditures
• Develops and maintains knowledge of the specific and unique needs of the unit, division, or institution. Develops or assists with the development of strategic planning initiatives and objectives
• Advises unit staff in the areas of learning theory, instructional design models, assessment, and instructional methods
• Serves as the subject matter expert and unit liaison to internal and external stakeholders providing operational and strategic information and representing the interests of the unit, division, or institution
• Provides instructional design and/or technology services and support directly to faculty, staff, or other customers
• Provides effective project management and overall coordination of project teams to meet deadlines
• Manages a portfolio of instructional design and/or technology services and support. May recommend, test, and audit selected learning technologies and/or methods
• Manages faculty development and engagement programs
• May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees
• Manages instructional equipment and supplies

Department

College of Letters & Science, Department of Communication Arts

The Department of Communication Arts is home to 50 faculty and staff and 70 graduate students. We offer one of the largest majors on campus as well as two undergraduate certificate programs and four graduate programs, all of which showcase our faculty's cutting-edge research in media and communication. The Instructional Media Center in the Department of Communication Arts is the hub of all technical support and instructional technology for faculty, staff and students in CommArts. Located in Vilas Hall, the IMC houses a wide array of cameras, tripods, lighting and grip equipment, and other media production gear and facilities used by students in CommArts courses. It employs about a dozen student staff. It also supports CommArts instructors and researchers with many of their media and instructional support needs. Communication Arts is home to many centers and programs, including the Center for Communication Research, the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research, UW Cinematheque, and the Wisconsin Film Festival.

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $75,000 to $102,951 annually. Actual pay will depend on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience with media production principles and techniques
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Experience overseeing and managing large inventory
• Proven experience managing and tracking budgets
• Ability to safely lift and transport equipment weighing up to 35 lbs on a regular basis

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience
• Minimum 5 years of academic support experience
• Demonstrated project management experience

Education

Degree in Communications, Media Production, or similar field preferred