Production Manager Original Productions Benelux, Fixed-Term Contract (Dutch Speaking)

Our belief 

It’s TWDC’s belief and culture that Building a diverse and inclusive workplace is key to creating world-class entertainment and experiences that reflect our audiences around the world. Disney managers are responsible for assessing new talent and making hiring decisions and will have an opportunity to make a significant and positive impact in ensuring our hiring practices are truly inclusive, and equitable recruitment practices are key to our success. 

What You Will Do

• Champion awareness, understanding and standard of key production management industry best practices (diversity, equity & inclusion; accessibility; health & safety; compliance; welfare/safeguarding; health & well-being; training; environmental and sustainability matters; content and physical security) as well as reinforcing the Disney + core values (integrity, creativity, collaboration, community and inclusion)

• Work in close collaboration with internal commissioning & production team to support and guide external producing partners through our greenlight process; the documentation required; and onboard them on to our systems (financial, admin, viewing/screening and distribution)

• Be the key contact for day-to-day communication with external and internal stakeholders at all stages of production throughout development to delivery

• Review, assess and approve third-party production budgets, schedules, risk plans, key personnel and rates along with major budget line items/resources to ensure they are aligned with Disney+ best practices

• Monitor and track production health & safety paperwork to ensure it is in place, and that provision is made in budgets for welfare, duty of care, and safeguarding policies - including standards for working with minors, vulnerable adults, and scenes involving intimacy – as well as professional support where appropriate

• Liaise with internal departments (Commissioning, Business Affairs & Legal, Finance, Compliance, Marketing & PR, Content Operations) to ensure alignment across all stages of production

• Support finance team to monitor cashflow schedule, ensuring payments are aligned with key delivery milestones

• Work closely with internal post-production and mastering/content operations teams to manage and meet end-to-end post production and delivery requirements

• Attend, as appropriate, key production meetings (e.g. production meetings, location recces, principal photography set visits, casting) and provide regular status updates

• Monitor, track and report on production costs, tax incentive compliance, and delivery timelines and paperwork for project sign-off, off-boarding and satisfy requirements are met for production’s final payment (including music and archive deliverables if applicable)

Required Qualifications & Skills

• This role requires a high level of diplomatic and effective communication and negotiating skills; strong editorial judgement; as well as excellent written and communication skills in both Dutch and English

• Proven experience (minimum of 5 years) of managing and delivering high end TV unscripted production formats (specifically, high-profile feature documentary, long-running reality/lifestyle, factual entertainment, live and competition formats) at production management and/or production executive level

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of physical production management and production processes; budgeting, scheduling, post production and compliance frameworks

• Able to demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of all broadcast technology as well as knowledge of key talent (writers, producers, directors, other key creative heads of departments in the unscripted industry)

• Able to demonstrate a good knowledge and network of working with high profile independent production companies across the region

• Knowledge and hands-on experience using production tools such as such as Microsoft Office (including Excel, Word and PowerPoint), PIX, Scenechronize, Airtable and Smartsheet.

• Will be a highly self-motivated professional with a proactive and positive thinking approach who is able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and who is willing to get stuck in and get the job done

• Will possess initiative and able to think and prioritise quickly under pressure

• Attention to detail is a key essential element for this role as accurate reporting (both internally and externally, and often with partners from different countries for whom English might not be their first language) is a key function of this role

• Highly organized and possess the ability to multi-task and work across multiple productions at one time 

• Strong ability to report precisely, both internally with fellow colleagues and externally with production partners (often from different countries for whom English might not be their first language) 

• Strong problem-solving skills during high pressured situations 

• Exceptionally strong time management skills 

• Excellent communication both in written and verbal, possessing good interpersonal skills to share information with heads of departments and external producers 

Additional Information 

• This role requires occasional travel within the Benelux region 

• You will be expected to uphold TWDC’s values of inclusion, creativity, and integrity 

• The role involves managing confidential information and sensitive production data 

• You will work closely with the Director, Local Production and other stakeholders to ensure the success of Disney+ originals in the region 

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided the necessary accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive all benefits of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.