Head Of Layout

Job Description

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR REMOTE WORK YOU MUST RESIDE IN QUEBEC

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Head of Creative Operations, along with the Department Manager, the Head of Department is responsible for day-to-day operations and long-term strategic management of the Layout department.

Managing the team:
• Manage the training and integration of new artists into the existing team in accordance with the global needs of the business
• Recruiting and casting of the Leads
• Cast and assign appropriate teams to the various projects, balancing the financial, technical and creative considerations of the task
• Nurture creative vision and technical ability, while ensuring balanced personal and professional development
• Assess performance of the team through appraisals (formal as well as informal), and manage career growth and promotions within the wider considerations of the company

Strategy and technical development:
• Have a compelling strategy and vision for the future of the department
• Keep up to date with industry developments and tools
• Ensure the department remains relevant in an ever changing global industry
• Propose and oversee the development of new tools, workflows or techniques as required for successful and efficient delivery of shows
• Monitor workflow and techniques used in the team
• Collaborate with other department HODs to design workflows between their teams
• Report on workflows to the Head of Creative Operations

Show planning, maintenance and delivery:
• Work with the lead artists, supervisors and show production to bid or plan shots, and ensure the project methodologies, quality and schedule expectations are consistent and achievable
• Work with show teams to plan for future challenges and problem solve current issues
• Assist other artists, departments and supervisors solve issues as they arise during production, delegating work where necessary
• Create good communication channels with other departments, show production and senior management to ensure complex information is disseminated appropriately
• Ensure that work is delivered to MPC's global standards, on time and on budget

Layout Focus

Refocusing Layout Team to become a rapid prototyping department and establishing them as a key creative group in the business

Standardized workflows
• Focusing the team on sequence based work
• Establishing the presentation standards within the department and with show teams
• Establishing rapid workflow to drive fast turnaround for client sends and presentation
• Monitoring workflows and techniques used within the team

Department planning and maintenance
• Revising Job Description and Team Structure in the layout team to make it in line with department mission
• Casting members of the shot/build teams
• Identifying existing and future key members with a creative acumen and generalist background

Training and mentoring
• Identifying and organizing training sessions for all members of the team to maintain skill levels up to the tasks
• Supporting team members with regular 1:1 with key members and leads
• Pairing up team members to encourage learning and upskilling

Qualifications

Technical Knowledge/Skills:
• A strong technical background is essential
• Up-to-date knowledge of VFX tools and emerging technologies
• Strong technical understanding of CG pipelines and the ability to develop efficient workflows related to layout and layout presentation and identify additional tools required
• Expert skills in cameras, layout, animation blocking, scene assembly and composition and cinematography are required
• Strong understanding of modeling, texturing, lookdev and stereoscopy; generalist background is essential
• Expert in Maya
• Experience in matchmove is a plus
• Understanding real time visualization tools, knowledge of Unity is a plus

Experience:

6+ years of proven leadership and management experience in a leading VFX company or associated industry

Attributes:
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Strong work ethic
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Exercise patience, problem-solving and mediation skills
• Ability to cope with stressful situations and conflict with composure
• Ability to work in an inclusive and diverse organization
• Strong creative ability and flair
• Strong sense of aesthetic
• Excellent team building skills
• Strong business acumen
• Understanding of financial impacts of business decisions

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gk27vq-18-117-107-90-42 in your application.