Director, Animation Production (20th Television)

The Director, Animation Production, will have oversight of several projects produced by 20th Television Animation for various networks and platforms.  The Director will ensure the streamlined operation of our productions from greenlight through post production. This Director will report to the VP and work closely with the creative teams, Executives and Department Heads to ensure the production achieves the highest quality possible within the approved budget and schedule.  This role will oversee multiple types of projects, primarily scripted animated television series and pilots.

                                                                                                                            

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

On Outside Studio Animated projects:

• Review budgets and schedules for series produced at third-party production studios

• Act as liaison with outside studio leadership to ensure shows are produced at the highest quality possible within the constraints of the budget and schedule. 

• Act as production liaison between outside studio and 20th Animation teams

      On Internal Animated TV projects:

• Supervise all aspects of his/her respective projects including, but not limited to:

  • Scheduling

  • Budgeting

  • Staffing

• Oversee Producers and Line Producers on current productions; manage and assess schedules and reports – identify challenges, analyze risks, and work with the appropriate team to resolve issues, streamline processes, and foster innovation

• Work closely with show producers, line producers, and key department heads to ensure that shows are produced at the highest quality possible within the constraints of the budget and schedule

• Partner with the shows’ Producers to prepare scenarios that address production issues and present those scenarios to studio leadership.  Involve other departments in evaluating issues and finding the optimal solution for the production.

• Prepare a project for active production by building the initial production schedule, budget, and staffing plan.  Take a leading role in helping to build a production plan.

• Act as a liaison between the production team and the studio

• Partner with production finance to create and refine budgets.

On All Assigned Projects:

• Coordinate with the BA/Legal team to ensure proper contracts are in place for the project.  Be aware of talent contracts, studio contracts, and external vendor contracts that will impact the specific projects within this position’s overview.  Provide relevant project information to the BA team as they negotiate contracts for the projects.

• Work with various 20th teams – Development, Current, Marketing, Media Relations, Casting, Music, Post Production, Finance, Business Affairs, Labor Relations, Legal, IT, HR, etc.

• Stay on top of key industry trends and identify opportunities

• Think critically and analytically. Must have a high aptitude for strategic planning and tactical execution on a multitude of simultaneous projects

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5+ years of production management experience in 2D Animation scripted television at an animation studio or animation production company required.

• Experience on a Primetime Animated production is a plus.

• Extensive experience and knowledge of 2D animation pre-production, production and post-production methods.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills which will enable him/her to interact with a range of personalities and styles and establish effective relationships at all levels of the organization; have a problem-solving approach; be highly self-motivated, well-organized and have a strong work ethic.

• Wide industry knowledge of talent, process and various pipelines.

• An experimental, risk-taking mind-set: Must be open to thinking outside of traditional animation workflows.

• Experience project managing creative teams in a high-pressure environment

• This role requires employees to be onsite four days a week. Applicants need to live within a reasonable commuting distance from Burbank, CA.

Preferred Qualifications

• People leadership experience with direct reporting.  

• Ability to effectively multitask at a high level and adapt to shifting priorities

• Experience in a large dynamic studio

• A passion for Animation.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree or significant work experience in the field

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $139,200.00 to $186,700.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.