Project Manager, Theme Parks & Live Event Experiences

Illumination is seeking a Project Manager who is an experienced self-starter to manage various Theme Parks projects. This position will work closely with the Illumination EVP Creative and collaborate with internal departments while interfacing with partners at Universal Studios and Illumination Studios Paris. This challenging role will require a person who is able to help push projects forward with skill and diplomacy while expertly tracking timelines and assets that are being generated by multiple sources. 

Responsibilities

• Organize and assist in the establishment of effective project management practices 
• Manage the schedule of artists and subcontractors to track weekly hours as needed
• Evaluate and anticipate vendor needs and work to proactively address any potential project issues 
• Maintain financial spreadsheet to ensure that the project team is apprised of real-time cost/schedule, liaise with finance to create cost approval requests and process invoices
• Inform and advise Universal Project Manager and Creative Director of project status and issues
• Interface with all internal disciplines to promote communication and workflow 
• Track and distribute all creative requests and deliverables to and from vendors to Illumination and Universal Creative Studio teams
• Gather reference and materials to provide to Universal Creative Studio team
• Create and maintain tracking status reports and project schedules to ensure that items noted with completion dates are receiving the attention required by team members 
• Update and maintain attraction documentation including deliverable lists, asset request lists, creative review forms, and asset approval forms 
• Prepare progress reports as needed to relevant stakeholders as part of an overall attraction update presented to senior management 
• Traffic Entertainment, Marketing, Retail, F&B, and Merchandise submissions from all Universal Parks and Resorts' globally with Illumination EVP Creative. Schedule and work with internal/external creative for PD projects that require corrections.
• Attend weekly project meetings with CPG, Theme Parks, Park marketing/Entertainment meetings, and Live Entertainment Experiences
• Note taking and distribution during meetings and creative reviews 
• Coordination of meetings 
• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent 
• Minimum 3 - 5 years experience in Project Management role required 
• Extremely organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and results-driven 
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with internal and external business partners across a wide variety of departments in a timely manner. 
• Experience hiring vendors and contract labor 
• General familiarity with theme park technologies including ride, A/V, robotics, engineering, and various show systems is a plus 
• Knowledge of theme park related architectural, project management and production/construction practices is a plus 
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 35-45% of time necessary 
• Experience working internationally (specifically Asia) is a plus 
• Comfortable working across multiple time zones 
• Mac proficient and very knowledgeable with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop), Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 

The estimated base salary rage for this position is $90,000 - $110,000/year.  We rely on market indicators to determine compensation and an offer will consider various factors including experience, qualifications, skills, and training.  Our comprehensive and competitive benefits package includes medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and their family, 401(k), paid time off, tuition reimbursement and a variety of other perks.

* Employees whose positions will require them to perform any work on-site must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to start of employment. Requested accommodations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance by law.

 

Illumination, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry's leading producers of event-animated films, including  Despicable Me-the most successful animated franchise in cinematic history-as well as  Dr. Seuss' The Lorax,  Dr. Seuss' The Grinch and  The Secret Life of Pets, Sing films and The Super Mario. Movie. Illumination's soon-to-be released  The Migration Movie will join a studio library that includes two of the top 10 animated films of all time. Illumination's iconic, beloved franchises-infused with memorable and distinct characters, global appeal and cultural relevance-have grossed more than $8 billion worldwide. Illumination has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures.

 

Illumination's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Illumination will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.