Production Manager Vfx

Production Manager [VFX] WPP Production
• Greater London, Greater London, United Kingdom

This job is with WPP Production, an inclusive employer and a member of my Gwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

About WPP Production

We are WPP Production - the unified global production company that brings together all of WPP's content producers, studios and craft experts into one connected organisation. We combine world-class human craft with next generation technology to originate, design, and deliver multi-channel content systems lt for borderless collaboration and powered by deep craft expertise, we are the production engine designed for today's always on, AI driven marketing world.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit  .

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

Reports to: Head of VFX Operations
Business Group: WPP Production

Function: VFX, CGI, Motion & Automotive Content Production
Client: Ford Global

Role Overview

The VFX Production Manager – Ford CGI Content Production plays a key operational and delivery role in producing high-quality CGI animation and stills content for Ford’s global marketing ecosystem. This includes feature animations
, launch films
, mechanical explainers
, motion-based 360º assets
, social and digital activations
, Build & Price, Art Cards and variant-informed motion sequences for Ford’s global platforms.

This role manages a complex, high-output CGI pipeline involving rigging, animation, lighting, effects, rendering, compositing, audio sync, and finishing—ensuring that every asset meets Ford’s technical, visual, and brand standards. The Production Manager orchestrates schedules, workflows, artist resourcing, reviews, and communication across multi-disciplinary teams and time zones.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Management & Scheduling
• Own daily and weekly production planning for Ford’s CGI content.
• Build detailed schedules across:
• Stills imagery (eg Build & Price, Art Cards, Ad Planner)
• Animation sequences
• Feature explainers & mechanical animations
• Track progress across all pipeline stages—eg rigging, animation, lighting, FX, rendering, and comp.
• Identify bottlenecks early and drive proactive solutions.
• Pipeline & Workflow Oversight

Manage the full animation pipeline, including:

• Rigging & mechanical articulation
• Look Dev
• Keyframe animation / procedural motion
• Lighting templates / scene assembly
• Compositing, grading, finishing
• Versioning, approvals, and delivery

Ensure all work adheres to Ford’s CGI/animation standards and technical specifications.

• Cross-Functional Team Coordination
• Work closely with CGI artists, animators, FX artists, lighters, compositors, and editors.
• Partner with teams to align on briefs, storyboards, animatics, timing, and creative expectations.
• Collaborate with engineering teams on render farm scheduling, pipeline stability, and tool support.
• Support producers in aligning project scope to timelines and capacity.
• Briefing, Storyboarding & Creative Alignment
• Support producers and creative leads in shaping briefs, mood boards, and animation outlines.
• Manage animatic/previz reviews, ensuring timing and narrative clarity.
• Track feedback through multiple review cycles.
• Quality Control & Review Management
• Run structured daily/weekly reviews with VFX leads and supervisors.
• Ensure outputs match Ford’s visual benchmarks, including:
• Mechanical accuracy
• Motion realism
• Lighting and shading consistency
• Rendering quality and…