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.

1285 W Pender St Vancouver, BC V6E 4B1

Project based, Full Time

Language in work environment - English

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. 

What you'll be doing:

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 software
• Tracking of shot work
• High level skills in creative problem solving and strategic planning. 
• Acquiring resources & elements required to complete shot production within your assigned discipline/department
• Evaluating artists strengths and making key work assignments based upon artist abilities
• Diffusing inventory challenges

People and Self-Management Skills:

• Be proactive, self-motivated, and the driver of your department. You are the leader. 
• Providing direct support to artist teams
• Communicating with Creative teams while keeping Production informed
• Client interactions must be professional and timely. APMs are responsible for themselves and for how the entire team that reports to them, interacts with the client including but not limited to: reviews, email communication, and notes. We expect our APM’s to lead by example for best practices, but also provide support and guidance on how to best interact with the client. 
• Maintain composure under challenging deadlines
• Continuous mentorship, support and training of direct reports/Coordinators
• Willingness to help out and support others during periods of absence
• Be able to exercise effective conflict resolution skills to ensure harmony across the project and within your team
• Excel in working as a member of a team specifically in regards to communication, morale building and effective collaboration to reach a shared goal

The anticipated base salary for this position is $66,750-$73,000/per year. Benefits are per company policy: which include healthcare, tuition reimbursement, RRSP's, Sick and Vacation leave, standard increases as applicable. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.

We value unique perspectives, and want diverse, unique talent to work with us. We encourage candidates from all identities to apply.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.