Associate Production Manager – Feature Animation

Role Overview

• Collaborate with the Production Manager (s) and/or Producer(s) to meet overall production schedules and man-week requirements.
• Ensure timely updates to man-weeks and schedules in response to changes in production flow or staffing plans.
• Anticipate and assess the impact of changes on workweek structures, scheduling, and overtime, proposing effective solutions.
• Proactively monitor and strategize with Department Heads, upper management, and Production department to address productivity and inventory challenges, ensuring weekly quotas and milestones are achieved.
• Align with Department Heads to ensure the complexity of work aligns with the department budget and schedule. Work collaboratively to resolve any budget overages.
• Develop and manage internal department schedules and staffing requirements. Compile a list of critical assumptions and highlight any vulnerabilities.
• Generate and maintain reports illustrating department and individual artist productivity. Collaborate with Department Heads to assign tasks and deadlines to artists.
• Conduct regular check-ins with the crew through walk-arounds, fostering a supportive and communicative work environment.
• Drive dailies for the department and seek opportunities for director approval.
• Act as the primary production point person within the department, supervising and mentoring any Production Coordinators and Assistants.
• Collaborate with Department Heads to coach, mentor, and provide performance feedback to all department members.
• Manage conflicts within the department and escalate when necessary to Resource Manager, HR, and production leadership.
• In partnership with Department Heads, develop a plan for crew training in department tasks, collaborating with the training department as needed.
• Create an environment conducive to achieving quotas and artistic achievements, motivating and managing the department effectively.
• Represent the department in weekly production meetings, reporting progress and proposing solutions to impediments.
• Ensure accurate tracking of all production data through Shotgrid.
• Troubleshoot as necessary to ensure timely delivery of sequences, collaborating with the Senior Producer and Production Manager(s) to modify schedules as per efficiency or inventory demands.
• Manage day-to-day department planning issues, including overtime and vacation. Review time sheets of the department crew.

Requirements

• 4+ years of industry experience, preferably in feature animation
• Bachelor's degree in film/TV production or equivalent experience preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks across all phases of production.
• In-depth understanding of CG animation processes and principles of animation production.
• Production tracking experience using spreadsheets, databases, or database software (such as Shotgrid)
• Demonstrated success in engaging problem-solving techniques.

Benefits

• Flexible work environment
• Extended Health and Wellness from day 1
• RRSP matching