Executive Producer, NY Studio [Synapse Virtual Production]

Job Title: Executive Producer – NY Studio
Location: New York, NY [In-Office]
Company: Synapse Virtual Production
Salary: $150,000

About Synapse
Synapse is a Virtual Production one-stop partner comprised of filmmakers and award-winning industry leaders, including directors, cinematographers, producers, designers, engineers, VFX artists and technicians.

Synapse’s mission is to truly empower filmmakers, studios, networks, and agencies to enhance the audience’s experience, while innovating the ‘how’ at every turn. We strive to deliver a supportive partnership through an all-encompassing holistic approach based on a foundation of education.

Position Overview
As the Executive Producer, you will be responsible for overseeing the entire production ecosystem of our NY studio services and guiding the team. You’ll guarantee the successful execution of projects, ensuring both financial success and top-tier industry quality.. This leadership position requires confidence in establishing and supporting processes and protocols, while also being fluid with management of a growing team.

The role requires an understanding of all the culminating industries that comprise Virtual Production, how they overlap, and experience in planning effective coordination between departments. You will collaborate closely with clients to understand project requirements, provide regular updates on progress, address feedback, and ensure the successful execution of projects while maintaining client satisfaction. You will manage expectations, troubleshoot issues, and deliver high-quality productions that align with the client's vision and objectives.

Key Responsibilities:
Reporting directly to the Global Head of Production, this role is crucial to ensuring the successful management of the studio’s day-to-day operations and long-term growth. This role will be responsible for overseeing the entire production lifecycle, maintaining operational efficiency, and nurturing relationships with a wide range of high-profile clients.

• Studio Operations Management: Lead operations for the NY studio, ensuring the smooth execution of projects from pre-production through delivery. Oversee production schedules, resource allocation, and overall efficiency. Between projects, maintain and improve studio operations. 
• Financial Leadership: 
  • Drive revenue growth while maintaining cost efficiency.
  • Responsible for project bids, budget management, and partnering with accounting to ensure a clean wrap.  Regularly review and report on financial performance, ensuring alignment with broader company goals.
• Team Management: 
  • Manage the studio team, freelance talent, and contractors. Foster a collaborative, high-performance environment that encourages innovation and continuous improvement. 
  • Manage staffing requirements for each production and source appropriate talent for each role.
  • Provide mentorship to team on project budgets, milestones, resourcing,  deliveries, and implementation of schedule on awarded projects
• Operational Excellence: Partner with Production leads across other locations to share learnings, implement industry best practices, and continuously improve studio operations. Support Global Head of Production on projects as well as higher level strategy and reporting.
• Client Management: 
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with a variety of clients, including production companies, agencies, studios, and streaming platforms. 
  • Identify client needs and project objectives, translating them into actionable plans for Synapse implementation. 
  • Intermediary between production, VAD and client control.
  • Ensure best practices are implemented to meet client expectations, while proactively identifying opportunities to enhance service offerings.
• New Business: Create and present compelling proposals and pitches to potential clients
• Project Management: Maintain client/project leads in CRM.  Track project holds, maintaining production calendar while coordinating with Sales and VP, Global Production.  Communicate creative and technical project needs to internal teams;  track progress and effectively communicate to the client. Maintain studio calendar and have the ability to schedule projects efficiently with proper preparation and wrap needs. 
• Freelancer Network: Maintain a roster of qualified freelancers to supplement the team during peak production periods. Ensure a reliable and scalable workforce to meet project demands.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years in a production leadership role with a proven track record of managing teams and complex projects.
• Experience as a Executive Producer, Head of Production, Line Producer and/or Production Manager.
• In-depth knowledge of onset production processes, methodologies, and best practices. 
• Ability to troubleshoot in real-time with production teams including Producers Directors, assistant directors, Production Designers, Grip and Electric during tech scouts, Pre-Light and shoot days. 
• Experience with virtual production workflows, live broadcast, VFX pipelines, and the latest production technologies.
• Strong financial acumen, with expertise in budgeting, bidding process, and resource allocation.
• Proven experience managing high-profile projects with budgets exceeding $500K.
• Skilled at managing multiple vendors and freelancers, with the ability to build and maintain a reliable crew network.
• Solid understanding of AICP ecosystem
• Prior experience leading business development initiatives is a plus.
• Previous experience in strategic planning, decision-making, and successful execution of initiatives in collaboration with executive leadership.
• Understanding of different categories of clientele in the production eco system, including ad agencies, production companies, studios and streamers.
• Exceptional customer service skills, ability to educate clients and shepherd them through the lifecycle of projects
• Experience managing union and non-union shoots
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective engagement with  senior leaders within the organization.
• A passion for staying at the forefront of industry trends and applying innovative production techniques.