Associate Project Manager, Mastering

The Associate Project Manager (APM), Mastering Services, assists the Manager of Operations in support of Master Asset Prep and Quality Control to ensure the on-time and “right the first-time" delivery of current slate Studio films, episodic series and library titles to Disney Streaming Services and Studio inventory.

The APM brings strong technical knowledge and excels at gathering and translating business requirements into clear technical specifications, schedules, and workflows. This role supports the adoption of emerging tools and AI‑enabled technologies within Mastering Services to drive operational efficiency while maintaining consistent quality and delivery standards. The APM partners closely with the digital operator team to ensure timely, accurate, and efficient delivery, and serves as the primary owner of customer relationships across internal stakeholders, third‑party clients, and Disney Digital Studio Services. The role requires a growth mindset where flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to take on increasing responsibility take center stage. In addition, the APM is a hospitality‑focused professional who delivers exceptional customer service and engages comfortably with creative and executive teams.

This position has a shift schedule of 11am to 8pm.

Responsibilities:

• Project Management: Coordinate the day-to-day delivery priorities while also forecasting the optimal approach to maximize resources. Additional tasks include:

  • Scheduling, status updates, reports, managing metrics, resolving issues, system status updates, billing, facilitate meetings and manage a schedule book of our business and operations (including room, equipment, QC, delivery, etc.).

  • Assist in assigning day-to-day priorities of Digital Operators and assist them to ensure they are set up for success while performing their work.

• Process Improvement & Innovation: Identify opportunities to enhance workflows and systems by exploring new technologies to maximize effectiveness, innovation, and security.

  • Support the adoption and implementation of AI‑enabled tools across Mastering Services to improve efficiency, accuracy, and visibility into workflows.

  • Document AI‑enabled workflows, best practices, and usage guidelines to support consistent adoption across the team.

  • Translate business and operational needs into clear requirements and feedback for AI tools, ensuring tools align with existing mastering workflows.

  • Assist in evaluating AI outputs for accuracy and reliability, flagging issues, edge cases, or workflow gaps to ensure “right‑the‑first‑time” delivery standards are maintained.

  • Continuously identify areas where AI or automation can reduce manual effort, improve quality, or increase throughput while maintaining security and creative integrity.

• Client Services and partner management: Build and foster relationships with our customers and partners – being a friendly and helpful person who is happy to serve our clients and facilitate smooth deliveries with our partners.

  • Support management, partners and customers in understanding their Mastering Schedule needs and proactively liaise with other departments and partners (i.e. Engineering, QC, Projection, Audio, Title Graphics, Subtitles, etc.) to ensure proper environment set up and availability of staff, rooms, assets, and experts. 

  • Maintain daily communication regarding the status of the work. Due to the nature of production and postproduction, there is the need to proactively communicate how changing schedules impact work and costs.  Work must then be closed out and billed in a timely manner.

• Regular handling of routine matters in the Manager’s absence.

• In addition to the core Mastering responsibilities, this position supports our Quality Assurance and Digital Media Services groups as needed.

• Work Order Creation & Billing: The APM creates work orders and is responsible for accurate billing of services offered. Billing must be completed on time.  He/she works together with clients to ensure that the proper time and facility rates are billed.

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience working in Mastering, File Prep or a related field.

• Strong understanding of the motion picture post production process and technical delivery requirements.

• Experience working with emerging technologies, AI‑assisted tools, automation, or data‑driven workflows in a production, post‑production, or operations environment is a plus.

• Strong understanding of Mastering, asset prep, prequal, and QC.

• General and specific knowledge of the workflows and services offered within DDSS (with the ability to learn and grasp new workflow concepts in the context of the industry’s changing requirements). 

• College Degree Preferred (field of study Media, Cinema, Post Production, etc. preferred)

• Proficient in Salesforce, Microsoft Office suite, post-production scheduling tools.

• General knowledge of industry leading non-linear editing systems (Avid, Premiere) and Mastering tools (DVS Clipster, Colofront Transkoder, Resolve) preferred.

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $90,300.00 to $116,800.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.