Distribution Operations Associate-Mastering

The Walt Disney Company • Glendale, CA

7h • Onsite

About The Position

The Distribution Operations Mastering department are responsible for the mastering of all titles produced by 20th Television, ABC Signature Studios, Freeform, FX Productions, Disney Branded Television, Hulu, and other production entities, including content acquired for Disney+ and Hotstar. The Distribution Operations Mastering department liaise with studios, production companies, post-production, third party audio and QC vendors to acquire, QC, prepare and transform both preliminary and final materials for localization, servicing, and global archival purposes. The Mastering department are the gateway between production and consumption of over 300 television series enjoyed by global audiences on multiple platforms including Disney+, Hulu, Hotstar, FX, ABC Network, Disney Channels, and Freeform.

Requirements

• Technically knowledgeable and effective in gathering and understanding of business requirements, technical specifications, schedules and workflows.
• Coordinates with the post production teams and third-party vendors to ensure timely, accurate, and efficient delivery; and “owns” the customer relationship between internal clients/stakeholders.
• Possess flexibility and creativity and be willing to assume challenges and increased responsibility, including handling routine matters in Manager’s absence as well as keeping an eye out for ways to improve workflows/increase efficiency, etc.
• Must be capable of solving a range of straightforward problems and analyzing possible solutions using standard procedures, while receiving a moderate level of guidance and direction.
• Must have an understanding of technical elements, creation, repairs, localization, updating & tracking of work orders & purchase orders, coordination of distribution logistics, use of technical materials library, and knowledge of the range of formats used within the organization.
• Must understand specific business processes and how those processes support the delivery of goods and services for mastering operations and business segment.
• Prior experience in a planning or scheduling function in either or all of a creative environment, manufacturing environment, or product development environment.
• Must effectively solve problems and roadblocks as they occur while escalating when necessary.
• This position interacts with internal and external peers and/or managers to exchange semi-complex information related to assigned activities.
• Must be able to distill information accurately and convey it (verbally and/or written) to business partners and stakeholders.
• This role serves as key contact with project team members to help resolve project resource conflicts.
• 3+ years of progressively complex related experience in the digital distribution space.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal are essential, as is the ability to advocate and negotiate diplomatically within a matrixed organization.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously against short deadlines and minimal lead time.
• Must be an expert organizer with superb time management skills.
• 3 years experience reading and understanding video and audio QC reports and is capable of conveying issues to post production and technical teams to resolve a variety of issues at once; takes a new perspective on existing solutions.
• Works independently while receiving minimal guidance.
• Exercises judgment based on the analysis of multiple sources of information.
• Must be a master of workflow diplomacy; consistently auditing and analyzing localization and global launch plans and timelines against constantly evolving post production delivery schedules.
• Must understand television postproduction and delivery schedules.
• Metric, data analysis and financial acumen
• Must be able to create concise, executive-friendly presentations.
• Must have strong Microsoft Excel and Google Doc skills.
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite, experience using MAC, PC, iOS, Android, Web based applications and services.
• Make decisions with help from manager

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 3 years digital media/content production and/or distribution experience at a Studio, Network, Streaming Platform, or Post House.
• Intermediate Level Technical knowledge and understanding of video and audio file formats including Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, UHD, HDR, SDR and digital media codecs (eg. ProRes, IMF, MXF, XDCAM, etc)

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day-to-day delivery priorities while also forecasting the optimal approach to maximize resources.
• Scheduling, status updates, reports, managing metrics, resolving issues, system status updates, billing, facilitate meetings and manage tracking and communication of assigned show schedule(s) and mastering progress across stakeholder groups.
• Assist in assigning day-to-day priorities of third-party vendors and assist them to ensure they are set up for success while performing their work.
• The building and fostering of 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 liaises with other departments and partners (i.e. Localization, Servicing, Global Content Ops, Studios, Total Quality Management, etc.) to ensure proper coordination and communication across teams.
• Maintain daily communication regarding the status of the work.
• Proactively communicate how changing schedules impact work and timelines.
• Data entry must be entered in a timely manner.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing workflows/systems and understand new technologies that we can leverage to be the most effective, innovative, and secure facility in the industry.
• The APM creates work orders and is responsible for accurate billing of services offered. He/she works together with clients to ensure that the proper time and facility rates are billed.
• Guarantee timely, high-quality execution across the supply chain and assists in creating detailed project plans to ensure deadlines are met and handoffs are successful.
• Create and maintain documentation including project plans, templates, and post-mortems.
• Effectively solve problems and roadblocks as they occur while escalating when necessary.
• Communicate both detailed and high-level progress to stakeholders.
• Perform extensive vendor & asset management and conduct research across all inventories, systems, and tools used for mastering operations.
• Reviewing QC reports and issues and ensuring assets are delivered on time to the right specification.
• Title Management: including associated mastering work orders, overseeing all communications about the title including reporting timelines, issues or escalations to management, keeping other teams updated on the status and entering data into TWC systems and Monitoring vendor performance against our SLA’s and timelines
• Managing relationships such as the third-party production partners or internal post production executive teams
• Special Projects, such as System Ambassador, SOP Documentation and Governance

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level