Workforce Planning Specialist

Flying Bark Productions is a dynamic and innovative animation studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of character animation and storytelling. We are working on exciting projects such as Avatar: The Last Airbender feature film, Netflix's Ghostbusters animated series and Stranger Things animated series as well as upcoming feature film, Zac Power.

The Workforce Planning Specialist is a newly established role responsible for the strategic oversight of Flying Bark's internal workforce planning function across all three studios. Reporting to the Global Recruitment Manager, this role provides executive level visibility of internal/external crewing capability, leads forecasting and scenario planning ahead of every greenlight and partners closely with Recruitment, People and Culture, Production and IT to ensure workforce decisions are proactive, data driven and aligned to business objectives. The role also plays a central part in driving cross functional projects, data initiatives and system automations that improve how the business operates.

About the role:

Workforce Planning and Forecasting

• Lead the development of workforce plans for upcoming and potential productions, ensuring the business is resourced ahead of need.
• Prepare detailed scenario modelling ahead of every greenlight, identifying internal capability and optimal allocation across productions.
• Partner with Production to deliver scheduling forecasts and budget forecasts that inform resourcing decisions.
• Own workforce planning globally across Sydney, Los Angeles and Madrid, ensuring one consistent, enterprise wide approach.
• Provide senior leadership with regular insights and reporting on workforce capacity, risk and opportunity.

Internal Data, Insights and Collaboration

• Partner with People and Culture to access and interpret data relating to current employees across the business.
• Partner with Recruitment to use market insight, time to fill and historical hiring data to inform schedule planning and to sharpen future workforce capacity with each new hire.
• Partner with IT and Production teams on the systems, onboarding and capacity planning.
• Translate internal workforce data into actionable insights that inform planning and resourcing decisions.
• Maintain a strong understanding of internal capability, skills and availability across all departments and sites.
• Identify workforce trends and risks proactively, escalating insights to relevant stakeholders.

Cross Functional Partnership and Project Support

• Act as the central connector between Recruitment, People and Culture, Production and IT, ensuring alignment on workforce related matters.
• Support and lead project based initiatives across People and Culture, Production and Recruitment as required.
• Partner with stakeholders across the business to scope, plan and deliver operational projects that improve workforce outcomes.
• Provide data and analytical support to broader business initiatives beyond core workforce planning responsibilities.

Data, Systems and Automation

• Build, maintain and improve reporting tools, dashboards and models using Excel and other systems.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve system efficiency across Recruitment, People & Culture and Production.
• Lead or support the implementation of new systems, tools and automations relevant to workforce planning and data management.
• Ensure data integrity and consistency across all workforce planning tools and reporting.

About you:

• Significant experience in workforce planning, resource management or production scheduling is required.
• Prior experience within animation, VFX or broader film and television production preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis, reporting and insights generation.
• Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to system implementations, data migrations and automation projects with a proven ability to interpret complex data and translate it into meaningful, actionable insight for the business.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets, including the ability to build and maintain complex formulas and models.
• Experience with automation tools, system implementation or process improvement initiatives.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives across different departments.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated ability to build strong relationships across diverse teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear insights for senior stakeholders.
• High attention to detail and a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a fast paced environment.

What do we do?

Flying Bark Productions is a renowned independent producer of family-focused animation entertainment. For over 50 years, our 2D and 3D production facility has created award-winning feature films and TV series.

Why work with us?

• We work on some pretty cool projects - check out our website: https://www.flyingbark.com.au/
• We have an industry leading studio space in Alexandria, complete with a cinema, quiet room, Zen Garden, games room, and state of the art animation facilities.
• Breakfast is served daily - on us!
• We have cake days, movie nights, wrap parties & a culture club dedicated to coordinating our busy social calendar!
• The Barkers have big hearts too, with our Paws for a Cause fundraising arm raising much needed funds for charities such as Beyond Blue, RSPCA and the Cancer Council.
• We love dogs and you will often see some of our regular fluffy companions in the studio.
• We have a hybrid approach to work with flexible work from home days on offer.
• Career development is important to us so we offer training and support opportunities whenever possible.
• Our employees say our culture is the best they've ever experienced - everyone is welcome and celebrated!
• You'll have access to mental health resources and free counselling via our Employee Assistance Provider, Support Act.

Flying Bark Productions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.