Tech Solutions Manager

Is this role for you?  

In 2025, Channel 5 and My5 are joining forces under one powerful new brand: 5 – delivering an all-new, unified experience across TV, streaming, and digital platforms. We’re looking for hard-working individuals to help craft this next chapter. This unified brand will revolutionize TV, streaming, and digital platforms, offering expanded free streaming services, more UK drama originals, and specially curated FAST channels. With personalisation and innovative, data-driven advertising solutions, 5 is set to lead the future of entertainment. After an impressive year of industry-leading growth, including a 40% surge in viewership in 2024, 5 is gearing up to transform the viewing experience— and we want you to be a part of it! Help us build a brand that delivers unlimited entertainment, always free. Join the team driving the 5 relaunch and craft the future of how the world watches! 

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, commercially driven technology team, collaborating with other technical specialists and supplier partners. As a Media Specialist, you will be the go-to authority on online video delivery, streaming protocols, and cloud-based solutions! 

While a background in software development is beneficial, your primary focus will be on video-on-demand (VoD) and over-the-top (OTT) workflows, content distribution, and ensuring reliable, high-quality delivery across multiple device platforms. You will define the technical specifications for new projects, actively engage with customers and partners to reduce technical debt, identify cost-saving opportunities, and drive operational efficiencies. By remaining at the forefront of industry trends, you will craft Channel 5’s media strategy and guide platform improvements. Working closely with the Operations team, you will troubleshoot live issues and provide hands-on support, safeguarding the flawless distribution of Channel 5’s content to diverse audiences. Through your subject matter expertise in streaming media, you will champion continuous improvement and ensure Channel 5 remains at the groundbreaking of digital content delivery.  

What will you be doing?  

Streaming Media Expertise  

• Lead all aspects of design and delivery of VoD and Live streaming systems, ensuring compatibility across multiple devices and platforms.  

• Support to industry research and remain abreast of emerging video technologies, streaming protocols, and DRM/content security schemes.  

Cloud and Distribution  

• Utilise AWS (or similar cloud platforms) to support, optimise, and scale online media delivery.  

• Employ content distribution networks (CDNs) and caching strategies to ensure reliable, high-quality streaming performance.  

Proofs of Concept (POCs)  

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to gather requirements for streaming services and related features.  

• Implement POCs to assess new media-related technologies and solutions.  

Vendor Management and Evaluation  

• Act as the primary liaison for media-focused vendors, including encoders/transcoders, hosting providers, and CDN suppliers.  

• Evaluate developers, service suppliers, and product vendors based on technical suitability and cost-effectiveness.  

Operational Support and Troubleshooting  

• Work closely with operational teams to define support processes, ensuring a smooth handover from development/integration to operations.  

• Use network debugging tools (Wireshark, Charles Proxy) and other methods to diagnose and resolve streaming-related issues.  

Subject Matter Expertise  

• Serve as a subject matter expert in VoD and Live delivery systems, offering consultancy to internal teams and external suppliers.  

• Provide hands-on support for media-specific incidents, when necessary.  

What are we looking for?  

• Degree-level education in a technical subject area (e.g. Computer Science, Media Technology, Broadcast Engineering) is desirable.  

• Media and Streaming Knowledge  

• Understanding of VoD workflows, OTT delivery, streaming protocols, DRM, and encoding/transcoding processes.  

• Familiarity with open-source media players (e.g. video.js, Shaka Player, hls.js, dash.js) is an advantage.  

• Cloud Services  

• Experience with AWS or similar cloud platforms (e.g. Azure, GCP).  

• Experience with AWS Media Services (MediaLive, MediaPackage, MediaTailor and MediaConvert) is desireble 

• Knowledge of origin hosting, CDN configurations, and caching techniques.  

• Scripting and Automation  

• Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g. Python) for automation and process improvement is helpful  

• Communication and Commercial Awareness  

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to translate technical concepts for various partners.  

• Commercially focused, understanding the business impact of technology decisions. 

Channel 5 is an award-winning public service broadcaster and the UK's third latest commercial TV station,  reaching 3 in 4 of the UK viewing public each month. The channel has a diverse schedule of original programmes across genres including issue-led documentaries,  popular factual,  accessible history,  stunning natural history,  inclusive entertainment and reality,  top level sport,  high quality scripted programming,  headline-grabbing current affairs and critically acclaimed children's and news programming. Channel 5 is a unit of Paramount Global. 

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet. 

At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status. 

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