Production Supervisor

Job Description

The Production Supervisor (PS) is responsible for managing the day to day production within a specific department(s) at Walt Disney Animation Studios. In all duties below, the PS must work in collaboration with the artistic department supervisor(s). The success of their partnership will be a primary factor in the department's success on the Animated feature film, short film, long form series title, and/or special project. In addition, the PS is a leadership role in the studio and, as such, must accept the responsibility of supporting and representing the directives of the studio and the production leadership. This is a regular, full time position that will be located at our Burbank, California, studio.

Role Specifics
• Works with the Production Manager (PM) and/or the Associate Producer (AP) to meet department production goals; strategizing, planning and overseeing resources on a departmental level.
• Partners with artistic department leadership to establish achievable and attainable short and long term goals; ensuring the delivery of work on time and within budget, while keeping team morale as high as possible.
• In collaboration with project leadership, oversee the department tracking of project pipeline, processes and workflows; embracing cross-project consistency, cross-department collaboration and championing process innovation.
• Looks ahead to ensure that long term goals/quotas, department milestones and inventory expectations are met. Strategizes with artistic supervisors, project's upper management and other PS' to resolve any productivity or inventory issues.
• Works with the department artistic supervisor to schedule, plan, and cast work to artists.
• Represents the artistic department in production meetings; reporting department progress and discussing solutions to any issues impeding the department.
• Ensures department data is tracked accurately and is easily accessible and understandable.
• Clearly communicates when changes in creative direction or productivity assumptions change; proactively offering suggestions to make-up for lost time and/or resources.
• Create and maintain reports that clearly illustrate department and individual artist productivity.
• Engages in Production Management issues on a studio level, i.e.: Shotgun meetings and architecture of tracking and other department tools, leadership training, Cross-project Production Management meetings and initiatives/planning related to the Production Management team.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities:

​​​​​​Implementation
• Participates in department processes, bidding and reviews
• Assesses resource needs and collaborates with department leadership (Artistic Leader ) in helping find staffing solutions.

Leading People
• Creates an inclusive and safe work environment by carefully managing sensitive information, making rooms feel open and comfortable, creating space for everyone to have a voice and addressing bias when it occurs.
• In tight conjunction with Artistic Leadership and Artist Manager, manages, motivates and creates an environment conducive to achieving goals and artistic achievements; looking for opportunities to improve department and project morale.
• Contributes to the overall development of team members through setting expectations, delivering consistent constructive feedback, recognition, and accountability.
• Establishes expectations for the Production Management team within their department.
• Provides mentorship and feedback to Production Assistants (PAs) and Production Coordinators (PCs) to foster growth towards individual goals.
• Partnering with the Artist Manager, oversee department-planning issues such as overtime and vacation as well as help in managing conflict within the department - including reporting issues to Human Resources (HR) and production leadership when necessary.
• Maintains composure and optimism during times of change; sets a positive tone and acts as an example to the rest of the team.

Collaboration
• Models and fosters a collaborative work environment between individuals on the team and across departments.
• Identifies solutions and compromises in partnership with other supervisors.

Communication
• Provides regular updates to direct leader on the progress, health, and direction of the team and project.
• Keeps project leadership informed of department morale and progress.
• Keeps the team informed with context for show related changes and updates.
• Clearly communicates department goals; acknowledging and addressing changes to department plans and expectations.

Studio Stewardship
• Studio Culture-Actively fosters an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative environment so every employee can contribute at the highest levels.
• Technology, Tools and Workflow-Engages in the creation and execution of technical standards, pipeline conventions and workflows to support the department, show and studio.
• Department Stewardship-Partners closely with peers and Artist Manager support an environment of creativity, trust, and innovation. Actively involved in assessment, casting, hiring, and overall growth of artists.

Preferred Qualifications:
• 4 years minimum Production Management industry experience
• Bachelor's degree in film / TV production or equivalent experience preferred
• Strong organization skills
• Must have the ability to prioritize tasks at hand, assisting on all phases of production
• Strong understanding of CG animation processes and pipeline
• Clear understanding of the principles of animation production
• Production tracking experience using spreadsheets, databases or database software (such as Shotgun/ShotGrid)
• Demonstrated success engaging in problem­ solving techniques
• Previous Disney, agency, production or project management experience
• Preferred
• Education or professional experience in animation a plus

Required Education
• College degree or equivalent preferred

WDAS continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, from the first fully-animated feature film, 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to 2019's Frozen 2, the biggest animated film of all time, to our 60th animated feature, Encanto, releasing November 2021. Among the studio's timeless creations are Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Frozen, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rzy541-18-221-146-223-42 in your application.