Head of Production

020 7494 9513

Head of Production

We are looking for a Head of Production to join our growing team in London. This role will oversee our internal production team and work closely with other departments such as Operations, Recruitment and other HoDs to ensure best practise and action company wide processes and workflows.

Role Details

Union is an independent visual effects facility founded in 2008 to provide a creative service for feature film and television productions. Our studio is founded on a culture of originality, innovation and collaboration where our people are at the forefront of what we do. Our clients number some of the world’s top film makers who return to Union time and again as a trusted partner and creative ally. Our team works closely with clients through every phase of their projects and our environment is very important to both.


The Union team are known for the outstanding quality of their technical and creative work on high-profile independent and studio film and TV projects. The Head of Production at Union is a key role and integral to the success of the company. They will be the point person for all things production. responsible for the design and management of the Production department and ensuring best practice across all production roles.  


The HoP will have an in-depth understanding of client requirements and the ability to coordinate and oversee multiple projects, communicate creative ideas and manage creative and delivery expectations of both internal and external clients. They will have excellent commercial awareness, strong communication skills, a comprehensive knowledge of complex visual effects  and the ability to manage creative and technical resourcing requirements and moving deadlines to deliver outstanding creative output. 

Working closely with the Studio Operations Manager (SOM), Creative Director and the Heads of 2D and CG, the HoP will have an in-depth awareness of all our projects and ensure the most effective work-flow and talent resourcing, ensuring each project has the appropriate planning and creative and technical resources allocated.  

As we grow our Montreal studio, the HoP will work with the senior team to review and implement Production best practice,  multi-site management of projects and efficiencies between the two studios.

The HoP will lead designated projects as required  and will manage and oversee the Production team to ensure the successful delivery of all our projects and manage any escalated issues.  

They will be a talented manager who can drive and support the continued success of the Production team at Union. They will have the experience, technical and personal skills to train, manage, develop and grow all levels of Production to ensure the department continues to provide clear career paths and deliver a consistently high standard of creative output to budgets and deadlines.  They will ensure strong and clear communication across the team and that relevant department and wider company  information is disseminated so that the team is able to work most effectively.

As well as oversight and responsibility for the delivery and reporting of revenue, costs, resourcing and project status the HoP will work closely with the senior team on our sales strategy to identify and secure new business and establish and maintain client relationships. They will work closely with the Operations team on the quoting and bidding of all projects ensuring there are unified bidding practices in place and managing on-going project negotiations as needed.

Working in partnership with department heads and key stakeholders, the HoP will be instrumental in reviewing and implementing new and long term strategic, technical and pipeline workflow and developments for the Production team and systems. These should fit into the overall Union workflow and pipeline.

The HoP will have excellent written and verbal communication and team working abilities along with strong organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail.  They will be able to multitask, problem solve and adapt to changing priorities and situations, always remaining calm and professional.


Responsibilities:


Production Management:


  • Define and oversee the delivery of the creative and technical vision for the Production department

  • Manage relationships with Clients, Directors and Production from initial meetings through to final delivery

  • Have oversight of all projects to ensure they are completed to the expected standard, budget and delivery schedule and lead designated projects

  • Manage issues arising on productions and escalate/delegate as required

  • Review, design, implement and oversee the day-to-day Production workflow, systems and processes and how it relates to other departments and the overall Union workflow

  • Ensure best practice and consistency across all roles, reporting and documentation within the production team

  • Work with the SOM, department heads and key stakeholders to assess and allocate effective crewing resources according to skill-set for all projects and ensure all teams deliver to expected standards

  • Working closely with the SOM assess production needs and allocate Producers and production teams to each project

  • Provide regular and strong communication to the Production team; lead client pre-production meetings, weekly Production meetings, operations meetings and relay that information to the team via regular department meetings and follow up on agreed actions

  • Work closely with the Head of Finance to monitor project costs in line with production progress and overall budgetary targets ensuring clients receive regular updates and change orders have been agreed before further work is commenced  

  • Ensure all projects are billed on time

  • Provide regular reports on all Union projects; including revenue, costs, resourcing, progress, changes, issues

  • Lead project improvement initiatives across collaborating teams

  • In conjunction with key stakeholders ensure best practice across the quote and bidding process for each new project 

  • Set approved budgets at the start of each confirmed new project and sense-check all bids before sending to client


Creative & Technical:


  • Work closely with all departments on pipeline improvements and development

  • Define, implement and deliver best practice around bidding, scheduling, expected standards, project management & delivery

  • Work with SOM and Senior Team to monitor win/loss of jobs and amend internal bidding process and strategy accordingly

  • Regularly review, define and implement production tools and workflows to support efficient management of projects


Client Service & Sales


  • With senior team, regularly review and implement on-going sales strategy for new and existing clients 

  • Establish and maintain client relationships including client entertainment

  • Attend client and industry events

  • Oversee client meetings as needed


People:


  • Manage all personnel issues in conjunction with appropriate senior team members ie. Head of People, SOM, MD, HoD’s etc

  • Manage the onboarding, training, development and successful output of the Production team 

  • In conjunction with the Talent & Recruitment Manager recruit all levels of the Production team

  • Communicate regularly with Production team and ensure relevant information is shared to ensure they are effective in their roles

  • Lead, mentor and advise the Production team

  • Support the senior Producers to effectively manage their project teams 

  • Mentor/EP junior Producer roles and projects

  • Lead annual reviews and salary rises with Head of People


Skills, experience and knowledge:


  • Extensive experience in VFX in a senior production role

  • Excellent people, organisation and project management skills with experience using scheduling, project and resource management tools including Shotgun

  • Excellent communication skills - able to engage with the team, collaborate closely with other departments,  understand and communicate creative ideas and the requirements of each project

  • Strong client facing experience - able to build and develop good relationships with Directors and Creatives

  • In-depth understanding of the VFX pipeline and post-production process

  • Solutions focussed

  • Calm, friendly and diplomatic manner able to manage expectations both internally & externally

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