Director, Studio Technology

Job Summary:
The youngest of all the ILM studios, the India studio leverages the expertise and technological know-how developed over 40 years at Industrial Light & Magic combined with the top artists and technicians in the region. Knowledge and culture flow freely between the company’s five studios and the global team shares tools and workflow allowing for seamless collaboration on all shared projects. 

We are looking for a Director, Studio Technology who reflects the innovative spirit, creative talent, production excellence, and passion for great filmmaking that define ILM.

The Director, Studio Technology is responsible for overseeing the technical operation of the studio, under the direction of the Global Lucasfilm CTO and the Executive in Charge (India) and partnering with the global ILM studios to ensure consistency and compatibility is maintained.

What You’ll Do

Partner with technology leadership on global studio strategies and projects to drive and develop VFX production on a global scale; strive to identify and implement efficient and cost-effective ways of working.
Partner with the India studio management team to recognize and help define the strategic and operational needs of the studio to continue to function and become more efficient; work with the CTO and global peers to identify and deliver appropriate technical solutions.
Partner with the India show leadership teams to ensure that they have the support and resources they require to successfully execute projects; keep informed of show status and progress, provide extended coverage as needed and possible; work to keep the studio operational.
Provide regular status reports to studio management, global Technology Operations leaders and CTO.
Ensure that the India studio technology team is appropriately staffed and that they are aware of the requirements and expectations of their positions within the studio; be responsible for mentoring and training team members as required.
Lead the India representation in the annual studio technology planning and budgeting process; ensure that the India requirements are understood, create the technology budget proposals, build the budget spreadsheets, and present them to company management for review.
Manage the studio Technology budget and act on the budget purchasing in a timely manner so that the studio technology continues to advance and improve the experience and efficiency of artists.
Work to ensure delivery of technical initiatives on time and on budget in India; manage communication, status and delivery of those projects, and be a key stakeholder for continual improvement of technology and process globally
Build strong relationships with key individuals and departments at other studios; ensure the India technology staff knows who their global peers are and ensure they also build effective working relationships with them.
Partner with peers at other studios to maximize operational consistency to maximize the benefits from being a global team; ensure that operational and technical initiatives are clearly communicated to the local studio and CG management teams.
Responsible for the overall management of the technology team in the India studio, including IT, Media Systems Engineering, Pipeline Engineering and Resource Technical Assistants. Provides leadership and counsel to the department heads and overall team.
Work with Global Technology leadership and the India Senior Manager of HR to help define, implement and promote Diversity & Inclusion strategy
Manage day-to-day technical operations of systems, desktops, high-performance computers and storage, networks, support and telecom to meet studio needs.
Foster innovation and systems progression with the specific goal of increasing systems and service delivery while lowering costs.
Serve as the primary liaison between IT and our third-party vendors in the region.
Ensure that Operations continuity and recovery plans are maintained in line with overall IT Service Continuity Plans and Business Continuity Plans.
Manage team development, including training, education, performance reviews, appraisals, disciplinary issues and counseling.
 
What We’re Looking For

Bachelor’s degree in an industry relevant discipline.
Significant experience within a technical leadership role within the VFX industry or related field.
Experience working for a global company and liaising with teams based across many time zones.
Proven experience and confidence to successfully managing multiple, high-profile projects 
Strong people management skills; ability to inspire, mentor and develop a highly motivated and happy team.
Ability to work effectively with non-technical employees across the organization and at all levels.
Thorough knowledge of the range of VFX disciplines and the processes employed in the creation of high-end visual effects.
Working knowledge of VFX tools, for example Nuke and Maya, and how they are used within the VFX pipeline
Excellent project management and prioritization skills within a highly dynamic environment.
Excellent written and verbal communicator.
Ability to successfully manage vendor relationships

JoinILM
About Industrial Light & Magic:
Founded in 1975 by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, serving the motion picture, commercial production, and attraction industries. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of the top 50. ILM has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema.

About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, Disney Parks, and Experiences and Products. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with UTV Software Communications Private Ltd, which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic.