Production Manager - Drama Productions

About the role

The Production Manager is a subject matter expert who supervises local third-party drama productions and supports the Head of Production in overseeing day-to-day operations across several projects. The role leads complex production initiatives, guides partners through Disney standards and acts as a key problem solver and mentor within the production management team, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time and within locked budgets. It is based in the Madrid office, four days a week, with either Monday or Friday working from home.

Key responsibilities

• Act as advisor to the Head of Production and primary operational contact for independent production companies, aligning work with Disney's production guidelines and financial controls.
• Manage and control locked production budgets, including cost reports and tracking of green-light budgets and key financial elements.
• Analyze and negotiate third-party budgets, schedules and timings, identify risks and recommend viable solutions.
• Monitor industry standards, labor and bargaining agreements, and ensure compliance with health and safety requirements, including post-Covid protocols and regulations on working with minors and talent.
• Negotiate with independent production companies, benchmarking fair pricing and industry rates.
• Serve as day-to-day point of contact for production companies, advising Executive Producers, Line Producers and Production Management on production, budgetary and legal issues.
• Work with Disney OPD Production Supervisors, Financial Controllers and other internal departments such as Finance, Press, Marketing, Creative, Transmission, On Air, Digital and Social Media, Procurement, Compliance and Security.
• Attend set and location at key stages of production, monitor execution and report back to the Disney team.
• Mentor team members and hold self and partners accountable to commitments.

Required profile

• Extensive professional experience in external drama production, including line producing, production coordination and production controller responsibilities.
• Proven ability to manage production budgets, interpret cost reports and track green-light budgets across multiple projects.
• Strong negotiation skills with independent production companies and deep knowledge of industry standards, labor agreements and health and safety practices.
• Ability to anticipate complex production, budgetary and legal issues and influence stakeholders.
• Collaboration and communication skills across Finance, Press, Marketing, Creative, Transmission, On Air, Digital and Social Media, Procurement, Compliance and Security.
• Leadership and mentoring capability without full supervisory responsibility.