Head Of Production

Job Description

The Mill is a global creative partner for agencies, production companies and brands, working across all media channels and platforms.

We are trusted specialists in visual effects, creative technologies and content production Our projects include the creation of digital products and virtual experiences, as well as world class visual effects and video production.

We are a vibrant network of talented artists, producers, directors and creative technologists from multinational backgrounds. We nurture innovation, flexibility and diverse ideas across our studios in London, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Berlin and Bangalore. We are all united by one single ambition: To create extraordinary and memorable work that captivates and excites audiences.

We are The Mill. We create the extraordinary.

The Mill LA Head of Production (HOP) is a management position.

The Mill LA HOP must have an excellent understanding of The Mill's strategic goals and be instrumental in delivering increased sales and in encouraging greater bottom line profit through improved internal systems and workflow.

While having an extremely good foundation of client relationships, the Mill LA HOP is primarily an inwardly orientated role, providing focus to help deliver improved structure and greater efficiency in production and other areas of the company.

Management Structure

The Mill LA HOP reports to the Mill LA Managing Director and must work closely alongside the VFX EP in LA to form a mutually supportive structure to allow The HOP and the VFX EP to manage the VFX production department together as a team.  It is vital that both the HOP and The Mill LA VFX EP work closely with our reps and the EP/Managing director of other Mill locations to ensure the best communication regarding bidding and execution of projects, to ensure we take full advantage of sales/project opportunities and that Mill resources are as well utilised as possible.

Responsibilities (Internal)
• To ensure the most effective use of the company's resources and to ensure the effective delivery of all projects to budget and time.
• To be responsible for the overview production driven budgets both on a monthly and annual basis and to work closely with finance to collate and report on achieved figures VS budget each month. The Mill LA HOP should lead the process of assessing and driving the pipeline of work in the absence of The Mill LA VFX EP.
• To oversee quotations and sales pitches with clients as necessary with more junior members of production.
• To ensure that quality standards and good working practices are met on all projects undertaken by the department.
• To develop, train, motivate and support Producers, Production Supervisors, and Associate Producers within the department.
• Closely monitor service departments and growth areas of the business including BEAM.TV, Media Transfer/MCR, Dispatch, JPS and CRM platforms etc. to continually review, refine and improve on the efficiency of our systems and our client services.
• Encourage and implement improved efficiency in productions administrative and paperwork processes.  Liaise regularly with accounts to ensure the best use of 4d and that our rate card is up-to-date and contemporary.
• In tandem with the VFX EP, be responsible for inducting all fulltime and freelance production staff and take an overview on the use of freelance 2d artists.
• Monitor, and take steps to care for, 'creative operators' welfare while also providing balanced protection for our clients and upholding the level of service/work they should    expect from The Mill.
• Promote the advancement of new Mill offerings both internally and externally (in-house directing, cross platform content, volume/relationship driven workflow etc.)
• On a regular basis, meet with heads of other Mill departments.

New Business
• The Mill LA VFX Producer must liaise closely with the VFX EP in LA and the EP in the NY office to ensure good communication regarding sales and the successful hand over of jobs between The Mill offices.
• Provide support to the VFX production department in LA and ensure excellent communication and the careful handover of projects from the bidding stage to the line production stage of a project.
• Monitor the satisfaction of existing clients and ensure that they continue to use The Mill.
• Maximise revenue and utilisation of The Mill LA and NY by having an overview of the work going through each site (NY/LA) and encouraging effective scheduling and efficiency of resources.
• Develop and maintain an 'ear' to the market and disseminate relevant information to the production team and key staff at The Mill.
• Work closely with our reps to help define potential clients, sales/marketing opportunities and PR exercises both on a short term and a long term 'bigger picture' basis.
• Network with agency, production company and editorial clients.

Qualifications
• 3 years' experience in a senior Production or Management position, with a solid knowledge of the Advertising industry.
• Strong understanding of finance and business P&Ls.
• Curious, flexible problem-solver.
• Extraordinary communication skills, organizational skills, and people management skills.
• Fair, kind, collaborative and atrusted confidant of confidential and sensitive information.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d205v2-18-118-193-232-42 in your application.