About the role
Company Overview
Flying Bark Productions is a dynamic and innovative animation studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of character animation and storytelling. The studio is a renowned independent producer of family-focused animation entertainment with over 50 years of history. Current and upcoming projects include the Avatar: The Last Airbender feature film, Netflix's Ghostbusters animated series, Stranger Things animated series, and the feature film Zac Power.
Role Overview
The Workforce Planning Specialist is a newly established role responsible for the strategic oversight of the internal workforce planning function across three global studios (Sydney, Los Angeles, and Madrid). Reporting to the Global Recruitment Manager, this role provides executive-level visibility of internal and external crewing capability, leads forecasting and scenario planning for greenlight processes, and drives cross-functional data and system initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
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 modeling ahead of every greenlight, identifying internal capability and optimal allocation across productions.
- Partner with Production to deliver scheduling and budget forecasts that inform resourcing decisions.
- Own workforce planning globally, ensuring a consistent, enterprise-wide approach across all studio locations.
- 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.
- Partner with Recruitment to use market insight, time-to-fill metrics, and historical hiring data to inform schedule planning and future workforce capacity.
- Partner with IT and Production teams regarding systems, onboarding, and capacity planning.
- Translate internal workforce data into actionable insights to inform planning and resourcing decisions.
- Maintain a strong understanding of internal capability, skills, and availability across all departments and sites.
- Proactively identify workforce trends and risks, escalating insights to relevant stakeholders.
Cross-Functional Partnership and Project Support
- Act as the central connector between Recruitment, People and Culture, Production, and IT to ensure alignment on workforce matters.
- Support and lead project-based initiatives across People and Culture, Production, and Recruitment.
- Partner with stakeholders 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.
- 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.
Qualifications and Requirements
Required
- Significant experience in workforce planning, resource management, or production scheduling.
- 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 translate complex data into actionable insight.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets, including 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 departments.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to build strong relationships across diverse teams.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to translate complex data 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.
Preferred
- Prior experience within animation, VFX, or broader film and television production.
Benefits and Culture
- Hybrid work model with flexible work-from-home days.
- Industry-leading studio space in Alexandria, including a cinema, quiet room, Zen Garden, games room, and state-of-the-art animation facilities.
- Daily breakfast provided.
- Social activities including cake days, movie nights, wrap parties, and a dedicated Culture Club.
- Charitable engagement through the Paws for a Cause fundraising arm.
- Pet-friendly environment with regular office dogs.
- Career development training and support opportunities.
- Inclusive and celebrated culture.
- Access to mental health resources and free counseling via the Employee Assistance Provider, Support Act.