Manager Figure Finishing

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Company

Description:

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world‑class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad‑supported streaming service.

We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, Dream Works Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry‑leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood.

NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit  for more information.

Job Description:

The Manager, Animated Figure Team, is responsible for the overall sustainment, show quality, reliability, and aesthetic presentation of animatronic figures, animated props, and relevant ride vehicle components, or structures, at Universal Studios Hollywood (USH). This role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for both the Figure Animations and Figure Finishing teams, ensuring seamless collaboration across technical, creative, and operational departments. The Manager, Animated Figure Team, oversees day-to-day maintenance, refurbishment, finishing processes, capital and sustainment programs, budgeting, staffing, documentation, and compliance with department policies, safety standards, and labor agreements.

This position plays a key role in long-term planning, program development, and technical execution to meet and exceed show quality and reliability standards for USH.

• Manage skilled labor who perform tasks and duties that support the daily operation, long-term reliability, sustainment, and adherence to show quality standards of all animatronic figures and animated props.
• Oversee work performed by Figure Animations and Figure Finishing team members, planned and unplanned, which may include short- or long-term maintenance, emergent repairs, refurbishment, fabrication, and finishing.
• Review maintenance manuals, CAD drawings, finishing specifications, and work documentation.
• Manage fabrication of mechanical parts, silicon skins, costumes, fiberglass components, and other figure elements and materials.
• Adopt, develop, and implement best practices for mechanical, electrical, show control, and figure finishing disciplines.
• Participate in strategic planning and program development; develop funding proposals and initiatives for programs to ensure the continuous delivery of services, sustainment, and appropriate enhancements.
• Ensure proper documentation of program activities; ensure reporting is completed as required; ensure that program activities operate within the policies and procedures of USH.
• Serve as primary interface between Figure Animations, Figure Finishing, Rides, Engineering, Controls, Shared Services, Entertainment, Creative, Park Operations, and our Safety team.
• Communicate all aspects of safety, budget, schedule, and issue resolution to appropriate levels of management.
• Support the park needs as required which may include working extended hours, nights, holidays, and weekends.
• Recruit, interview, and hire new technicians as needed. Manage and maintain a team of well‑qualified technicians, ensuring access to applicable training, mentorship, and guidance.
• Provide clear and consistent work direction, counseling, and coaching to hourly union staff.
• Coach and motivate hourly union staff to promote safe and efficient operations while also exceeding client expectations of communication, responsiveness, quality of service, and technical efficiency.
• Provide performance feedback to technicians and address performance concerns…