Department Manager (Maternity Cover)

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 role

The Department Manager is primarily responsible for developing, managing and retaining the best people for our artists and production film teams; for ensuring that VFX projects are fully and appropriately crewed; and for managing departmental processes, communication and reporting.

The Department Manager may manage a single large department or several smaller departments; works very closely with the Head of Department, project producers, supervisors and other managers; and reports directly to the Head of Resourcing. The Department Manager will work as part of the resourcing team to ensure that VFX projects are crewed with the best available internal crew.

What you’ll do:

• Planning: Work with the Head of Department to ensure teams are well balanced in terms of expertise, experience and cost; planning for development and recruitment. Take responsibility for crew member inductions to our production workflows and pipeline and ensure that everyone is work ready from day one. 

• Recruitment: Identify vacancies to the recruitment team and work with them to ensure the right candidates are hired; liaise with immigration as needed. 

• Resource management: Work with the Head of Department and liaise with Producers and Supervisors 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 priorities, etc. 

• 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 Head of Department: 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 head of Department: Ensure good communication; manage department meetings and weekly target schedules; complete departmental reports; support cross-departmental workflow; plan seating. Work with the Head of Resourcing to improve processes and efficiency across related departments. 

What 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 

• A thorough understanding of VFX and CG

• Previous experience in HR

• Ability to establish good relationships and build trust with producers, supervisors, HR, recruitment and other departments

• Problem solving skills, particularly when resolving resources and crewing issues 

• Negotiation skills and diplomacy 

• Strong attention to detail to ensure all documents and reports are maintained at the highest level. Strong communication skills 

• Bilingual (French & English) is an asset

• Minimum 2 years experience as Department Manager

Application Process

To apply, please complete the linked application form or submit your resume and portfolio to [email protected] with the subject line: [Department Manager]

Accessibility Statement

Our 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.