Talent Manager

Position Summary

The Talent Manager is responsible for managing the ILM artists within their designated department(s). This role also works closely with Senior Talent Managers/Director of Talent, Producers, Studio Production Manager and others as appropriate to schedule artists to ensure considered casting as well as timely and efficient completion of projects. The Talent Manager fosters a thriving studio culture by leading with intention, clarity, and integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of artists; including day to day operational support and admin, absence management, compensation actions, next show opportunities, contract extensions etc.
• Develops and maintains current and future resource need models as required based on input from show project teams and other sources.
• Partners with the relevant HOD for casting, artist career development, performance reviews and other departmental initiatives.
• Works closely with Studio Production Manager on understanding capacity changes, to proactively identify and plan for work coming into the studio and to ensure maximum utilization of artists at all times.
• Maintains overview of crew utilisation using established departmental production management and tracking systems.
• Communicate pro-actively with show leadership and creative supervision regarding overall project requirements, crewing needs (start / end dates) and project milestones, anticipating and flagging challenges as required.
• Works collaboratively with SPM, Production, Supervisors and Recruitment to define and communicate ongoing recruitment requirements for assigned department.
• Partners with HRBP to establish and maintain competitive employee engagement strategy (compensation, terms of employment) and Employee relations issues.
• Working closely with the Sr Talent Manager(s)/ Director of Talent and HR when people issues arise and escalating these effectively.
• Through weekly CG Status meetings and department specific meetings, maintains regular contact with Shows to ensure that crewing needs are met.
• Special projects as needed on an on-going basis as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrable experience in an artist management / resource management function in post-production visual effects, animation or gaming.
• Ability to build strong working relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
• Proactive and pragmatic approach to problem-solving with an ability to create process and useful data with ambiguous information.
• Focus on strategic approach with the ability to address unexpected challenges in stride; calm, “can-do” attitude with an emphasis on collaborative communication.
• Demonstrates awareness of up- and downstream needs of stakeholders, including Production, CG Artists, and support teams (Recruitment, HR).
• Anticipates risks / challenges and pro-actively develops alternatives with key stakeholders.
• Proven analytical skills, effective scheduling and time management abilities.
• A critical thinker who asks the right questions as well as providing answers.
• Computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Suite.
• Excellent administrative, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).

Company Overview

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), founded in 1975 by George Lucas, 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. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema.

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. With operations in more than 40 countries, employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished. This position is with Disney (India) Private Limited, which is part of Industrial Light & Magic.