Director, Production (TVA Disney Channel)

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Company: Walt Disney Television
Location: Burbank, CA

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On Outside Studio Projects:

  • Review budgets and schedules for series produced at third-party production studios
  • Act as liaison with outside studio leadership to ensure shows are produced at the highest quality possible within the constraints of the budget and schedule.
  • Act as production liaison between outside studio and internal DTVA and Channel teams

On internal TVA projects:

  • Supervise all aspects of his/her respective projects including, but not limited to:

    • Scheduling
    • Budgeting
    • Staffing
  • Oversee Producers and Line Producers on current productions; manage and assess schedules and reports – identify challenges, analyze risks, and work with the appropriate team to resolve issues, streamline processes, and foster innovation
  • Work closely with show producers, line producers, and key department heads to ensure that shows are produced at the highest quality possible within the constraints of the budget and schedule
  • Partner with the shows’ Producers to prepare scenarios that address production issues and present those scenarios to studio leadership. Involve other TVA departments in evaluating issues and finding the optimal solution for the production.
  • Prepare a project for active production by building the initial production schedule, budget, and staffing plan. Take a leading role in starting up the project by leading handoff meetings and building a production plan
  • Act as a liaison between the production team and the animation studio
  • Partner with production finance to create and refine schedule and budgets for in-house series
  • Partner with the Director, Artist Management in the staffing of production management and artistic talent

On All Assigned Projects:

  • Coordinate with the BA/Legal team 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, Production, Casting, Music, Post Production, Finance, Business Affairs, Labor Relations, Legal, IT, HR, Facility Operations, etc.
  • Stay on top of key industry trends and identify opportunities
  • Think critically and analytically. Must have a high aptitude for strategic planning and tactical execution on a multitude of simultaneous projects
  • In partnership with the Executive Director, Production and SVP, Production identify and evaluate animation subcontractors
  • In concert with our other Directors of Production: groom in-house production talent, negotiate staffing between shows, create and implement systems to streamline processes
  • Significant production management experience in animation including prior experience as a Producer or as an executive at a production company or studio
  • Extensive experience and knowledge of pre-production, production and post-production methods in traditional and CG mediums
  • An experimental, risk-taking mind-set: Must be open to thinking outside of traditional television formats and outside of the traditional linear television model.
  • 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.
  • Familiarity with animation software, hardware, databases and asset management systems
  • Wide industry knowledge of talent, process and various pipelines
  • Experience working with overseas animation studios
  • Minimum 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
  • A passion for children’s programming
  • Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent work experience

The Director, Production will have oversight of several projects produced for Disney Junior through outside studios and will also be assigned one or more internal TVA projects. The Director will ensure the streamlined operation of our animation productions from greenlight through post production. This Director will work closely with the creative teams, Executives and Department Heads to ensure the production achieves 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.
Required Education :

  • Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent work experience


Preferred Education :

  • Significant production management experience in animation including prior experience as a Producer or as an executive at a production company or studio
  • Extensive experience and knowledge of pre-production, production and post-production methods in traditional and CG mediums
  • An experimental, risk-taking mind-set: Must be open to thinking outside of traditional television formats and outside of the traditional linear television model.
  • 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.
  • Familiarity with animation software, hardware, databases and asset management systems
  • Wide industry knowledge of talent, process and various pipelines
  • Experience working with overseas animation studios


Company Overview :

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