Production Department Manager

The multi-Oscar-winning creative Film & Episodic studio, at Framestore has worked with some of the greatest storytellers in film today. Collaborating with directors and producers across the complete filmmaking process to help design, plan and create beautiful images, we focus on finding innovative creative solutions to support their vision and set new standards for visual effects in cinema.
Framestore combines talent and technology to bring life to everything we create. Driven by creativity and inspired by the future, we set out every day to reframe the possible.
About the roleThe Production Department Manager (PDM) is primarily responsible for developing, managing and retaining the best people for our production film teams;
for ensuring that VFX projects are fully and appropriately crewed;
and for managing departmental processes, communication and reporting.
Framestore’s talent is organized into specialized discipline departments — including Production, Editorial, Texturing, Lighting, Modeling, Tracking, Rigging, Animation, Creature FX, Groom, Matte Painting, Environments, FX, Crowds, Paint & Roto, and Compositing — with each department co‑managed by a Head of Department and a Department Manager.
The PDM Manages roles including Production Assistants, Coordinators, and Line Producers, works very closely with the Head of Production (HOP) and Head of Production Management (HOPM), as well as Project Producers. Reporting to the Head of Resourcing and working alongside Recruitment, they proactively identify and fill crew requirements for upcoming shows
What you’ll do:
Planning : Work with the HOPM to ensure production teams are well balanced in terms of expertise, experience and cost;
planning for development and recruitment, in collaboration with the HOP.
Recruitment : Identify vacancies to the recruitment team and work with them to ensure the right candidates are hired;
induct new crew into our production workflows and pipeline and ensure that all artists are work‑ready from day one.
Resource management:
Work with the HOP and HOPM and liaise with Producers to resource VFX Projects with the best available crew;
reallocate crew to achieve the best cross‑project allocation. Managing multi‑site communication between other global divisions to assist the Head of Resourcing, and ensure unallocated crew can be utilized.
Monitoring & Communication:
Act as the primary contact for show production regarding the progress of the work, communicating daily with the show coordinators and line producers regarding changes to crew priorities, etc. When necessary, negotiate with production and reallocate crew to achieve the best, cross‑project allocation of crew.
People leadership:
Motivate and care for crew;
maintain calm, defuse conflict;
act as first point of contact for crew on contractual matters, career development, project allocation, and any training needs;
keep morale high by organizing social and team building events
Development & Remuneration:
Alongside HOPM: conduct performance reviews, delivering effective feedback and constructive criticism;
work alongside the training team to follow through on training and development needs and assist with learning events as appropriate;
work with Head of Resourcing and HR to handle disciplinary issues and dismissals;
engage in pay negotiations and maintain pay parity within our teams
Departmental processes:
Alongside HOPM Ensure good communication;
manage department meetings and weekly target schedules;
complete departmental reports;
support cross‑departmental workflow;
plan seating. Work withthe Head of Resourcing to improve processes and efficiency across related departments.
RequirementsWhat we’re looking for:
A proven ability to establish good relationships and an understanding of how to build a successful team around a core;
taking into account both skills and cultural fit to the company
Previous experience with scheduling crew/projects
Knowledge and understanding of the VFX Production workflows, and CG pipeline would be beneficial
Previous experience in HR
Problem solving skills, particularly when resolving resources and crewing issues
Ability to establish good relationships with producers, supervisors, HR, recruitment and other departments
Negotiation skills and diplomacy
Strong attention to detail to ensure all documents and reports are maintained at the highest level
Strong communication skills
Accessibility StatementOur Montreal studio has universal access, with step‑free entry, accessible toilets, and quiet spaces available. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace for everyone and continue to improve accessibility to ensure all employees feel supported.
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