Senior Manager, Creative Content - Searchlight Pictures

Job Summary:

Searchlight Pictures is a global specialty film and television company that develops, produces, finances and acquires motion pictures and series for both worldwide theatrical and streaming releases. It has its own marketing and distribution operations, and is part of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company. Founded in 1994 as Fox Searchlight Pictures, the company’s titles have grossed over $5 billion worldwide, amassing 52 Academy Awards including five Best Picture winners since 2009:  Slumdog Millionaire, 12 Years a Slave,  Birdman , The Shape of Water, and Nomadland; 64 BAFTA Awards; 35 Golden Globe Awards, and 10 Grammy Awards.

The Senior Manager, Creative Content will oversee the development and execution of best-in-class special content campaigns for Searchlight’s film projects. This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong creative vision and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. This is a high-volume, fast-paced environment that has direct contact with high-level executives, filmmakers, and talent so diplomacy, organization, and tenacity are critical attributes for this position. The creative we produce can be seen across the globe through broadcast, digital, social, in-theater and out of home activations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overseeing all special content marketing materials for pre-release, awards, and post-theatrical windows.
• Work with vendors to produce and finish exceptional special content marketing materials, including making-of and behind-the-scenes featurettes, awards submission materials, reels, publicity clips, in-show and event clips, special shoot concepts, and in-home bonus materials.
• Hire and oversee EPK and BTS vendors for all Searchlight Pictures films.
• Strategize, plan, and coordinate capture of BTS materials during production and manage selects and approvals in post.
• Provide creative direction and strategy for EPK interviews, preparing questions and obtaining feedback from talent and internal teams, and manage the interview days on set.
• Manage and coordinate shoots with talent and filmmakers - includes hiring and overseeing production crew, creative ideation and scripting, booking locations, directing concepts, clearing shoots with filmmakers, talent reps, scheduling groomers, coordinating with HODs and crew, etc.
• Manage dissemination of creative content and press material, including junket interviews, content pieces, premiere footage, trailers among other marketing materials.
• Oversee delivery of all creative content and AV publicity materials.
• Liaise with international markets and domestic teams re specific content needs (formats, cutdowns, end card messaging, exclusive clips etc), and communicate delivery deadlines to the wider team and external vendors.
• Oversee budgets for creative content projects, working with the Finance team and third-party vendors to stay within budget while delivering exceptional results.
• Lead Publicity clip strategy and oversee finishing and delivery of clips assets to internal stakeholders, media outlets, and awards organizations.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to align advertising strategies with overall marketing goals.
• Liaise with Production, Publicity, Digital, Media, Creative and Filmmakers for content updates and feedback.
• Manage the content approval process for filmmakers and talent.
• Manage the archiving of finished materials, work with vendors to archive raw assets
• Track project/shoot budgets and update financial breakdowns.
• Attend and actively participate in creative meetings, representing the Creative Content department and contributing to broad campaign strategy conversations.
• Prepare and present strategies and materials to all stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Disney internal marketing teams for streaming titles.
• Manage relationships with external creative agencies and vendors.
• Ensure all special content is on-brand and meets the highest quality standards.
• Monitor and analyze the performance of advertising campaigns and adjust strategies as needed.
• Coordinate the acquisition and distribution of assets (footage, graphics, etc.) needed for content production via internal marketing teams and external vendors.
• Coordinate with various legal and production departments on implementing regulations and guidelines regarding music rights, clearances, release forms and other production legalities.
• Supervise finishing process – facilitate finish preps with vendor and finishing house, review finish files for sound and picture quality, ensure legal notes have been implemented, deliver files to intended final destination.
• Facilitate formats and deliveries, managing final deliveries with Technical Operations, ensuring all pieces are archived and vaulted correctly with each piece containing correct specs i.e. H264, ProRes, Texted/Textless, Split Audio versions.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
• Maintain valuable relationships with EPK producers around the world and develop a unique familiarity with each of their skillsets.
• Work with awards show producers to provide necessary clips and assets, ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Travel both domestically and internationally for festivals, premieres, set visits, and content days.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field; or equivalent relevant experience
• 10+ years of experience in creative content conception and production at a Movie Studio, Network, Streamer or Creative Agency.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant software; familiarity with Avid, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, PowerPoint and Keynote.
• Strong creative vision and attention to detail.
• Handle multiple projects, set priorities, meet deadlines and exceed expectations.
• Strategic critical thinker who also has a high attention to detail and emotionally intelligent soft skills are critical.
• Ability to work well in a busy environment where needs and priorities are subject to change.
• Collaborate creatively with both studio colleagues and vendors.
• Some Domestic and International travel required

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $115,500 to $154,800 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also 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/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.