Associate Production Manager

Sony Pictures Imageworks is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. We are committed to respecting traditional lands, and working with communities towards reconciliation.

Sony Pictures Imageworks Canada Inc.

Project based, Full Time

Benefits per company policy: include healthcare, tuition reimbursement, RRSP's, Sick and Vacation leave, standard increases as applicable

Sony Pictures Imageworks is seeking an Associate Production Manager to join our team in our Vancouver location!

Summary

The Associate Production Manager Reports Directly to the Production Department Manager. The role supports the DPM(s)/Producer(s) in creating a dynamic schedule for their department(s) within the show. The position oversees a team of coordinators, and or workflows within the department they are responsible for on the show. The ideal candidate will have strong production coordinating and management skills in Film (VFX Film, CG Animation, or Game production).

The ideal candidate must have comprehensive VFX Feature Film, CG Animation and/or Game production scheduling experience, and excellent people and self management skills. A minimum of 5 years experience working in VFX Feature Film, CG animation Feature Film, or Game production as a coordinator and or manager is required.

The following tasks provide a general overview of the types of activity the role holder will be expected to engage in on a day-to-day basis. The tasks are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities as the nature of our business requires all employees to be flexible, self-motivated and to think creatively when presented with challenges:

• Supporting Digital Production Managers, Producers, and Supervisors
• Creating, driving, and maintaining department schedule(s) in accordance with outlined priorities from show producers and supervisors, ensuring all dates are in line with upstream and downstream dependencies.
• Communicating with the Client for respective departments via chats, emails, and other methods. Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally.
• Depending on show/dept, driving Client/Director reviews for example like Time checks, quota/agenda announcements, and troubleshooting technical issues.
• Supervising, training, and mentoring Production Coordinators on all of their daily and delegated tasks and performance in general
• Facilitating artist/supervisor needs (workstations, tablets, software, meals, etc)
• Managing schedules and workflow inventory to meet quota targets within the targeted bid days and budget
• Partnering with supervisors in evaluating artist abilities for shot assignments
• Strategically evaluating shot inventory and making necessary adjustments to hit deliveries
• Dynamic problem solving and timely escalation of any potential missed targets and overspent budget
• Partnering with supervisors in evaluating performance of artists in relation to their output and efficiency
• Motivating your team and ensuring morale is high (creative ideas for adding fun into the day!)
• Being aware of all hours worked within the team to monitor wellbeing and energy levels
• Managing all overtime requests, ensuring requested hours are appropriate based on schedules and budget

What we need to see:

A minimum of 5 years experience working in VFX Feature Film, CG animation Feature Film, or Game production as a coordinator and or manager is required. Ideally at least 1 year experience as an Associate Manager for external candidates.

Technical and Operational

Skills:

• Have an expert understanding of the frontend/backend workflow for digital production, specific to Assets, Layout, Animation, CFX, FX, &/or Lighting/Comp teams
• Have an expert command of production VFX and CG or Game scheduling
• Have an expert ability to multitask and work in a fast paced environment
• Be adept at addressing artist queries relating to hardware and software license issues
• Manage bid days and quota targets
• Proactively schedule team assignments and flag potential inventory and delivery challenges
• Scheduling and willingness to learn and master all imageworks scheduling & tracking…