Director, Production & Planning

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made, including Frozen, Zootopia and Moana. For over 100 years, Disney Animation has told timeless stories, set in imaginative worlds, with compelling characters. We invite you to bring your unique talents, passion and ideas to our collaborative team. The Director, Production & Planning supports the VP, Production & Planning in strategically planning feature films and other projects that are simultaneously being produced within the studio. This position is responsible for the overall utilization of historical data to inform current and future planning, highlight areas to review regarding complexity, efficiency and budget, and identify recommendations for improvement. Responsibilities Manages Studio’s production plan templates for features, specials and shorts projects. Update as necessary, prepare scenario analysis, and assess studio impacts in collaboration with Studio leadership Creates initial production plans and resource schedules for projects that do not yet have an Associate Producer assigned, working with Development to incorporate the development timeline. Works collaboratively with Finance to translate early show plans into budgets Creates and consolidates production scenarios to provide recommendations on how best to optimize studio resources, minimize production risks and provide options for slate planning based on studio, financial and creative goals Responsible for data from past projects and uses this data to generate production dashboards, reports and presentations to highlight areas to review complexity, efficiency and budgets for future planning Acts as a thought partner and provides recommendations to Associate Producers on inventory flow strategies, challenges and opportunities Partners with Production leadership to create consistent production milestones and dashboards to improve cross-show consistency in data tracking and reporting Partners with Production Finance to realize financial impacts at both the production and studio levels that are driven by production planning assumptions Manages a team that: Owns and supports the production tracking tool (Autodesk Flow Production Tracking) and the generation of meaningful and consistent dashboards for analysis and recommendations Owns and supports workforce planning tools and the generation of meaningful and consistent dashboards for resource planning and enhancement of studio planning capabilities Collaborates closely with Technology leaders to prioritize initiatives for future process improvement tools and guide their development Keeps up to date with industry trends and explores how new technologies could improve or disrupt existing methodologies for scheduling, data management and visualization Acts as a key stakeholder and partner with the Data Team for trend analysis, predictive production and workforce forecasts Required Qualifications 10+ years of production experience 5+ years of production leadership experience, including as an Associate Producer (preferred) Creates an inclusive and safe cross-site 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 Specialized knowledge of the production process in animation and deep understanding of animation workflows and production environments Strong leadership, communication, and time management skills Thrives in critical and analytical thinking with a high aptitude for strategic planning and tactical execution on multiple simultaneous projects; demonstrates the ability to identify and track priorities Effective communication, interaction, and partnership with production leadership, creative talent, and executives inside the Company Drives results and promotes innovative ideas, adaptable in an ever-changing environment Proficient in Excel, Powerpoint/Keynote, Google platforms, and Shotgrid Customer‑service oriented and intuitive trouble‑shooter High level of confidentiality and discretion required Ability to travel as needed Must be available to work onsite 3-5 days per week Compensation The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $131,500 to $170,000 per year and in Vancouver, BC is C$144,700 to C$187,200 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long‑term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, depending on the level and position offered. Disability Accommodation for Employment Applications The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to requests related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability. #J-18808-Ljbffr