VP, Production Management & Operations

This is a Full Time Job

Our Team
Discovery Studios is a full-service production company within Discovery Inc. that creates, develops and produces high quality, innovative and inspiring content. We are one of the largest single producers of non-fiction content for Discovery’s portfolio of Networks and produce content across multiple genres – from reality to lifestyle, to adventure, to automotive.

The Role
As Head of Production Management, this role oversees production and facility operations, in-house production and post-production teams.

This role will collaborate with executives, department heads, and creative teams to ensure projects are delivered with the highest quality, on-time and within budget. The role also holds responsibility for day to day operations of both, the Production Office and Post-Production facilities.

Responsibilities

1. Lead, manage and oversee all core staff as well as freelance staff of 160 in multiple locations both in the US and abroad.
2. Leads the creation of production budgets, identifying opportunities to reduce costs and maximize efficiencies.
3. Leads and manages editorial management over multiple productions simultaneously of series/specials and in coordination with internal departments to ensure timely and on-budget development, production and delivery of commissions, co-productions, and development projects.
4. Continually monitoring all projects in progress with regard to time lines, budgets, update meetings, etc.
5. Responsible for implementation and admin of operational controls, technological solutions, functional processes and procedures required to grow the organization along while being cost efficient.
6. Develops and establishes new production methodologies to increase efficiencies, manages costs and drive innovation.
7. Evaluate proposals, producer’s work, and refine as needed in preparation for (and throughout) production.
8. Inform and involve key departments on projects throughout all stages of the pipeline to maximize their value to the company.
9. Develop and maintain relationships with the west and east coast production community and independent producers.
10. Collaborates with DCI Finance, Accounting, Legal, PMD and Business Affairs to create effective and reliable business practices.
11. Works with Direct Reports, finance, legal and Head of Discovery Studios to create and maintain effective production guidelines and procedures.
12. Strong instinct to evaluate risk and safety as it relates to the Production activity across the world; and collaborate on proper steps to ensure success and safety for the Production teams.
13. Participate in the analysis of new ideas and pitches in relations to best budget practices and cost efficiencies.
14. Oversee production and post-production real estate growth for Studios including technical build-outs.

Requirements

* Bachelor’s degree in related field or an equivalent combination of skills, training and hands-on experience.
* Minimum of ten years working in freelance television production, and 3-5 years working as a Production Executive.
* Experience in monitoring and approving production budgets and cost reporting
* Review internal expense reports to monitor production and business related spending in production staff
* Proficiency in TV production economics and management.
* Proven ability to manage outside producers, build credibility and strong working relationships with other internal executives.
* Knowledge of all aspects of contemporary production and post-production capabilities.
* Experience managing production and creative teams in a high-pressure environment.
* Strong oral and written communications skills.
* Strong ability to assess priorities and maintain composure and diplomacy at all times.
* Candidate must be articulate, detail-oriented, and have strong organizational and administrative management skills.
* Candidate must also demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, and an ability to manage multiple assignments under tight deadlines.
* Strong computer skills (highly skilled in Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, MMB and PowerPoint).
* Must have the legal right to work in the United States.

Los Angeles, LAX, LA, California, CA