Production Manager

This is a Full Time Job

About the role

The Production Manager will support the development, packaging, production, and distribution of scripted film and television projects based on Japanese manga, anime, and novels. Working closely with the Creative Executive and Studio Japan team members, you will support collaboration between Japanese IP partners, U.S. creative partners, and studio executives while helping maintain the integrity of the underlying IP throughout the project lifecycle.

In the role of Production Manager, you will report to the Head of Crunchyroll Storyworks.

We are considering applicants for the location of Los Angeles, CA.

Core Areas of Responsibility
• Support the identification, research, and evaluation of Japanese manga, anime, and novels for film and television adaptation.
• Develop a deep and authoritative knowledge of each assigned IP, including its story, characters, world, themes, fanbase, and cultural significance, and serve as a key internal resource throughout the adaptation process.
• Read and evaluate underlying IP, scripts, pitches, treatments, and outlines; prepare coverage, research, creative analyses, and recommendations.
• Support projects throughout the full creative lifecycle–from development and packaging through production, post-production, and distribution–tracking creative decisions, deliverables, approvals, budgets, and key milestones.
• Research and help identify potential writers, directors, lead actors, and producers; prepare talent lists, background materials, and recommendations to support project packaging.
• Develop a strong working knowledge of physical production, including production planning, scheduling, and budgeting, and work directly with line producers and production executives to understand how creative decisions affect production scope, cost, and execution.
• Review and track project budgets and production plans, identifying material changes or potential issues for discussion with the Creative Executive and relevant production and finance teams.
• Support the Creative Executive in advancing the three core objectives of each project:
• Keep the authenticity to the source IP, commercial success, and creative excellence.
• Facilitate cross-cultural communication among Japanese authors, publishers, editors, creators, rights holders, Studio Japan team members, U.S. studio executives, and external creative partners.
• Ensure that creative feedback, priorities, and decisions are clearly documented and communicated.
• Build relationships with writers, directors, producers, talent, agents, managers, line producers, and other production partners within both the U.S. creative community and Japanese IP ecosystem.
• Prepare and maintain pitches, presentations, IP briefs, creative materials, talent lists, project status reports, and other development and production materials.
• Conduct research and gather insights from fans and relevant audience communities to help identify the elements audiences consider essential to the IP and flag potential creative choices that could conflict with its core DNA or fan expectations.
• Coordinate closely with business affairs, legal, finance, production, research, marketing, distribution, and other internal teams, tracking information and follow-up necessary to support project objectives.
• Monitor Japanese manga, anime, and publishing trends, emerging talent, competing projects, and developments across the global film and television marketplace.

About You

We get excited about candidates, like you, because...
• 5 years of relevant scripted film and/or television development or production experience, preferably at a studio, streamer, production company, or similar entertainment organization.
• Native to Business level language proficiency in Japanese and English, with the ability to communicate effectively with Japanese creative partners, review Japanese-language source and development materials, and operate across Japanese and American professional environments.
• Working knowledge of physical production, production budgeting, and scheduling, with experience working with line producers, production executives, or production finance executives.
• Strong creative instincts and demonstrated ability to analyze story, character, and source material and communicate a thoughtful creative point of view.
• Strong knowledge of Japanese entertainment, particularly manga, anime, and novels, with the intellectual curiosity and passion to become deeply immersed in assigned IP.
• Excellent research, analytical, editorial, written, and presentation skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple stakeholders, cultures, and levels of seniority.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, deadlines, and creative materials in a fast-paced studio environment.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.