Production Consultant (Disney Television Animation)

The Production Consultant will have oversight of several projects produced for Disney Junior through outside “3rd party” studios. The Consultant will ensure the streamlined operation of our animation productions from greenlight through post production. This position will work closely with the creative teams, Executives and Department Heads to ensure the productions achieve the highest quality possible within the approved budget and schedule. This role will oversee multiple types of animation projects, primarily television series, but also short form content, specials, and other programming needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Shepherd a project coming out of development through final deliverables

• Analyze budgets, schedules, series assumptions, asset trackers and production related documents for all series produced at 3rd party production studios

• Act as the liaison with 3rd party studio leadership to ensure shows are produced at the highest quality possible within the constraints of the budget and schedule

• Act as main contact between 3rd party studio and internal DTVA and Channel teams

• Set up and maintain regular cost report meetings between 3rd party studio and internal finance teams

• Coordinate with the Business and Legal Affairs teams to ensure proper contracts are in place for the project. Be aware of talent contracts, animation 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 DTVA and Channel teams – Development, Current, Educational Resource, Franchise, Marketing, Media Relations, Casting, Music, Finance, Business and Legal Affairs, etc.

• Maintain regular check-ins with studio and network execs to stay ahead of any changes or issues and make sure all internal teams are up to date with your projects

• In partnership with the VP, Production and SVP, Production identify and evaluate animation subcontractors

• Stay on top of key industry trends and identify opportunities

Required Qualifications

• Significant production management experience in animation including prior experience as a Line Producer or as an executive at a production company or studio

• Extensive experience and knowledge of pre-production, production and post-production methods in 2D, Stop Motion and CG mediums

• Must be proficient in animation budgeting and scheduling and familiar with unions, tax credits and foreign exchange rates

• Demonstrate ability to supervise multiple projects simultaneously

• Must have a high aptitude for strategic planning and tactical execution

• Able to resolve and/or escalate issues in a timely fashion

• 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.

• Comfortable with communicating difficult or sensitive information tactfully

• Maintain company policies and guidelines in collaboration with creative, S&P, Business and Legal Affairs, etc.

• Familiarity with animation software, hardware, databases and asset management systems

• Flexible with work assignments; able to take on responsibilities as business needs require

• Ability to establish priorities and multi-task efficiently within a high-pressure environment while meeting deadlines

• Wide industry knowledge of talent, process and various pipelines

• Experience working with overseas animation studios

• Organized and detail-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on production of animated programming

• Experience managing creative teams in a high-pressure environment

• A track record of delivering animated series on-time and on-budget

• Experience in a large dynamic studio

• Comfortable with ambiguity and working in a matrixed organization

• A sensibility and passion for children’s programming

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job Location: Burbank, CA

The hiring range for this position in California is $90,400 to $124,400 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.