McCann Central is one of the most successful McCann businesses globally. And we're looking for a talented Chief Production Officer to lead our growing Craft offer out of our Milton Keynes studio.

Who we are.

We are McCann Central, the UK's largest integrated agency. Over 500 individuals working together to help brands play a meaningful role in people's lives.

We are also part of McCann Worldgroup, a global agency network that delivers culture-shaping work for some of the world's biggest brands.

And to add to the (literal) wheelbarrow full of awards we've got including Euro Effies most effective global agency, Cannes Network of the Year, Campaign's European Integrated Agency of the Year, not to mention McCann Central's haul of awards in recent years at Cannes Lions, Clios, One Show, D&AD, LIAs, Golden Drum & Creative Circle Awards. So creativity really is at the forefront of everything we do.

We're a team of passionate creatives, strategists and engineers from a wide mix of backgrounds. But there's a lot that unites us - like caring deeply about everything we make. And though our skillsets are wide and our process knowledge is deep, we are all still learning every day.

Your role in a nutshell:

The Chief Production Officer (Craft) is responsible for the management of all production through the studio as well as the team of Producers. Alongside the Head of Design, Creative Director and Operations Director the Chief Production Officer is a key management role and integral to the success of our Craft offering.

You will have oversight and responsibility for revenue and margin across the Studio and Production teams as well as on individual projects. The Chief Production Officer will also cover aspects of new business, establishing and maintaining client relationships.

Requirements

* Build a nurture a multi-skilled connected production offering based on three core principles: integration, innovation and inspiration.
* An in-depth knowledge and experience of leading an integrated production discipline (film, interactive, print, mobile, content, AFP, print production, events/experiential, gaming, publishing, OOH, BTL etc), with broader knowledge across at least one more specialism
* The ability to manage specialist supplier relationships and costs, define scope of jobs, deliver against a budget, negotiate prices and estimate production costs and to be accountable for all production cost management
* Accustomed to working closely with experts and within a team to ensure a high-quality creative output
* Oversee the Studio and Production department across multiple jobs and channels
* Provide the planning and leadership to ensure that the right volume of correctly skilled resource is in place to meet the commercial needs of the business
* Ensure the best quality of output on what we deliver for our clients
* You will be a keen team player and able to lead a tight knit production department
* Responsibility for monitoring production tools and workflows, especially as they pertain to multi-site working
* Maintaining an overview of all Producers schedules, ensuring projects are completed to highest standard achievable, on time and within budget
* Responsibility for accurate Casting across the Studio and Production teams
* Ability to work with the broader team across the McCann network to make the most of their expertise in specialist areas.
* Drive excitement regarding new talent in the production world, from digital innovators to up and coming photographers.
* Liaising with artists' agents and artists directly and with the support of Business Affairs
* Acting as on set producer, agency producer (EP) and production producer (UK & abroad)
* Build long and trusted partnerships with the Creative department
* Build open dialogue with both clients and production partners
* Ensure appropriate tools are used, and processes are followed to meet and exceed all goals
* Develop effective and efficient supplier management to meet the commercial needs of the business

People Management:

* Responsible for hiring a team of talent that share an obsession for making things special
* Ability to mentor and coach Producers and Creative Artworkers
* Creating the right conditions and morale for teamwork
* Training - build a new generation of multi-skilled producers. Stay ahead of the game on fresh talent
* Budget Control/Financial Management:
* Work with the Ops Director and Commercial Finance Manager to set approved resourcing budgets
* Scoping for future campaigns and allocating production fees
* Manage the Production P&L
* A commercial operator who understands how to use effective production to drive revenue
* Highly Desirable
* Extensive experience in a Senior Production role
* Thorough understanding of the Craft and post-production process
* Excellent communication skills, able to communicate effectively with client, producers, suppliers, senior management, both written and verbal
* Exemplary organisational skills, with experience of using scheduling, project and resource management tools, and of managing multiple projects simultaneously
* Calm under pressure, resourceful and a creative problem solver, used to working to strict deadlines and on own initiative
* Experience hiring staff and freelance artists, and hiring, managing and mentoring production staff
* Be passionate about making things happen
* You will love working with incredibly creative people and help realise their vision,
* Encourage integration
* Confidence in opinions and approach

Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary we are committed to creating a brilliant environment for all our people. This includes benefits such as 28 days holiday, plus the opportunity to buy more holiday, enhanced pension contributions, life assurance and much more.

A culture of learning and development is also central to our ethos, so you'll have access to industry leading training and development programmes, plus you'll get to work closely with the world's biggest media partners to access exclusive features and products.

Most importantly, you'll be part of a fun and collaborative team and you'll work in an environment where you are supported, pushed and developed.