Department Head, Effects - Expression of Interest - ILM Vancouver

Job Posting Title:

Department Head, Effects - Expression of Interest - ILM Vancouver

Req ID:

10157754

Job Description:

This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.

This posting is an opportunity to submit your resume for future consideration; this is not a role that is open at this time. We anticipate this role may be open in the future, but we are not actively hiring for the position. If you would like to be considered for this potential role, please submit your resume. If the role becomes available, you may receive an email or call from a recruiter.

Position Summary

The Head of Department (HoD) is responsible for the long-term technical and creative development of the department. The central pillar of this role is leading the integration, testing, and scaling of innovative workflows, focused on Generative AI (Gen AI) and Machine Learning (ML) workflows, including the facilitation of training, across department teams and active show environments.

The HoD works closely with Show Production, Supervision, and technology teams to steer local department bidding, creative execution, and technical methodologies. They maintain a collaborative partnership with the Department Talent Manager, providing input to support day-to-day operations, crew mentorship, and team health.

OH Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Department Creative and Technical Strategy (Primary)

• Workflow Identification: Evaluate existing VFX pipeline processes within the discipline to identify workflows that can be optimized, adapted, or revolutionized using emerging technology, Gen AI and ML toolsets. 

• Testing & Development: Propose, prototype, and oversee the development of new tools, techniques, and AI/ML workflow.  Collaborate closely with the CG Tech Supervisors, and Tech PMs to align developments with the studio's overarching technology structure.

• Show Integration: Drive the integration of validated Gen AI/ML workflows, into active show productions, ensuring deployment is stable, efficient, and meets high-end project delivery standards.

• Pipeline Collaboration: Work with Heads of Departments across other areas of the VFX pipeline to design cross-functional workflow improvements and seamless data transitions between teams.

• Global Alignment: Collaborate with global HoD counterparts and the CG Tech Supes to share developments, resources, and insights to foster global innovation and alignment, and workflow standardisation across all sites.

Department Training and Development (Secondary) 

• Emerging Technology Training Cycles: Partner with Studio Training Groups to establish and execute structured training frameworks and continuous feedback loops to upskill department artists on emerging technology, including Gen AI and ML toolsets.

• Team Readiness: Ensure that the department is thoroughly trained to meet evolving production demands and global business initiatives.

• Onboarding & Integration: Partner with the Department Talent Manager and Studio Training Group to support the technical integration and mentorship of incoming artists.

• Documentation: Work alongside HoD counterparts, Department Supervisors, and Leads to maintain up-to-date, technical documentation regarding new tools and methodologies.

• Emerging Talent: Integrate junior and graduate talent into the department, guiding their development in modern pipeline workflows through studio initiatives like the Jedi Academy.

Department Management (Supporting Role)

• Structure Alignment: Support the Department Talent Manager in maintaining a healthy department structure and seniority ratio that aligns with studio targets.

• Casting Support: Assist the Department Talent Manager with team casting and project assignments when crew balancing is required across projects, helping match appropriate technical and creative skillsets and seniorities to project needs.

• Performance Tracking: Support the Department Talent Manager in assessing the department's skill sets, reviewing performance appraisals, and delivering constructive feedback.

• Leadership Touchpoints: Collaborate with the Department Talent Manager to run regular 1:1s with department leadership, including Department Supervisors, Leads, and Key Artists, if required.

• Recruitment Liaison: Work alongside Department Talent Managers and Talent Acquisition to identify candidate profiles, participate in interviews, and provide technical assessments.

Show Responsibilities and Accountabilities 

Department Production Support - (Show Billing) 

• Quality & Efficiency: Guide the department in delivering all work to meet global standards, and stay on time and on budget, through the application of best practices, tailored methodologies, and the strategic use of advanced technology.

• Bidding & Planning: Collaborate with Show Leadership to Lead Department Supervisors and in the bidding and planning process, ensuring bidding practices are aligned with project requirements and budget challenges. Champion an innovation-focused mindset, driving efficiency to minimize bid times and proactively defining best practices that meet competitive market demands.

• Production Problem-Solving: Assist Department Supervisors and Leads in troubleshooting complex creative or technical bottlenecks during production, delegating tasks effectively.

• Coverage Support: Act as a hands-on Department Supervisor on shows when specialized technical expertise or coverage is required. Work with VFX Supes and CG Supes to support knowledge gaps across projects.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Director of  Talent Management. 

Works directly with the Department Talent Manager, Heads of Departments, CG Tech Supervisors, Tech PMs, Studio Leadership and show based Supervision and Production teams.

Job Requirements

Education/Experience

• 5+ years of proven leadership and management experience in VFX. 

• 10+ years VFX experience in relevant disciplines.

• Experience working for a global company and working with teams in many time zones.

• Proven experience or a strong track record in evaluating, testing, or deploying innovative workflows within a production pipeline.

• High level of motivation and in evaluating, testing and deploying  Generative AI, Machine Learning, or automation tools within a production pipeline.

Required Skills/Competencies

• Expert-level understanding of the visual effects process, alongside the techniques, tools, and software specific to the discipline.

• A proven track record of delivering high-quality visual effects work on high-end projects.

• Highly Innovative Mindset: Creative and forward-thinking; ability to analyze legacy pipeline bottlenecks with a fresh perspective and engineer cutting-edge solutions.

• Decisive Leadership: Ability to confidently make final technical decisions and articulate the rationale and context behind those decisions to department peers.

• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to inspire, mentor, and guide an artist team through major technological and workflow transitions.

• Ability to work highly collaboratively, with both technical and non-technical employees across all levels of the organization.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Skills/Competencies

• Experience managing vendor relationships is a plus.

As part of your application please submit a demo reel, shot breakdown, or equivalent showcasing your work. A current resume is required.

JoinILM

The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is TBD, based on a 40-hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits, may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.

Job Posting Segment:

ILM Vancouver

Job Posting Primary Business:

ILM Vancouver

Primary Job Posting Category:

Effects Design

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-08-06