SVP, Head of Physical Production

Starz

$350K — $450K *
Media
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in production roles with senior executive experience at a major studio or streaming service.
  • Demonstrated capability managing large-scale scripted productions domestically and internationally.
  • Proven track record of portfolio projects recognized by major awards.
  • Expert in budgeting, scheduling, and production finance; proficient with Movie Magic Budgeting/Scheduling, Word, and Excel.
  • Strong industry connections to producers, studios, and vendors.
  • Exceptional leadership and communication skills; adept at balancing creativity with fiscal responsibility.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent distinguished experience.

Responsibilities

  • Lead strategy for physical production from development to delivery of scripted series.
  • Evaluate scripts for feasibility, advising on risks and opportunities to senior leadership.
  • Architect master production schedules aligning with content strategy.
  • Establish scalable production models for high-quality storytelling across varying budgets.
  • Implement best-in-class production policies defining operational success.
  • Oversee budgets, cost reports, and cash flow to maintain fiscal integrity.
  • Manage domestic and international production operations including vendor negotiations.

Benefits

  • Full coverage for medical, vision, and dental insurance.
  • Annual discretionary bonuses and merit increases based on performance.
  • Generous sick days, vacation days, holidays, and wellness days to support work/life balance.
  • 401(k) matching contribution to help secure employees' financial futures.
  • Tuition reimbursement available for continued education up to a graduate degree.
Full Job Description
Job Description
The SVP, Head of Physical Production will lead all aspects of physical production for the network's original scripted programming slate, overseeing projects from development through delivery. Reporting to the President of Programming, this executive will serve as a strategic partner to creative, business, finance, legal, post-production, and marketing teams-ensuring premium scripted series are produced at the highest creative standard while maintaining fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency, and production safety. The SVP will supervise production executives and collaborate closely with showrunners, producers, studios, and third-party production partners across domestic and international productions.

Key Responsibilities

Production Leadership & Strategy
  • Lead physical production strategy for all scripted series from early development and budgeting through prep, production, post-production, delivery, and wrap.
  • Evaluate scripts and creative materials for producibility, budget impact, scheduling implications, and operational feasibility; advise senior leadership on production risks and strategic opportunities.
  • Architect master production and post-production schedules for the slate, ensuring workflows align with global content strategy.
  • Establish scalable production models that support premium-quality storytelling across varying budget levels and production footprints.
  • Pioneer and implement best-in-class production policies and procedures that define the operational backbone of the studio.


Financial Oversight
  • Provide approval on all budgets, cost reports, cash flow projections, and staffing plans; apply expert-level understanding of script breakdown, market rates, and financial structuring to ensure fiscal integrity from development to delivery.
  • Partner with Finance to manage contingency planning, cost controls, forecasting, and production reporting.
  • Maximize production value through strategic use of tax incentives, co-productions, and global production resources.


Production Operations
  • Oversee domestic and international production operations including location management, stage facilities, vendor negotiations, and production infrastructure.
  • Ensure productions adhere to network policies, labor regulations, safety protocols, insurance requirements, and legal compliance standards; partner with Legal on complex legal, labor, and clearance challenges.
  • Partner with Post-Production leadership to ensure seamless delivery workflows and schedule integration.
  • Stay current on evolving production technologies, virtual production workflows, sustainability initiatives, and industry best practices.


Talent & Creative Collaboration
  • Serve as a trusted production advisor to showrunners, executive producers, directors, and creative executives-supporting creative ambitions while identifying practical solutions and efficiencies.
  • Leverage an elite network of production talent to attract and hire world-class producers, department heads, and key crew for critical projects.
  • Participate in staffing and approval discussions related to key production personnel; foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented production culture across all productions.


Industry & Labor Relations
  • Maintain deep knowledge of guild and labor agreements including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, Teamsters, and international labor frameworks.
  • Manage relationships with studios, production partners, labor representatives, and government incentive agencies.


Qualifications
  • 15+ years of progressive experience as a Producer and/or Production Executive, culminating in a senior executive role (VP, SVP, or Head of Production) at a major studio, streaming service, or production company.
  • Proven track record managing multiple large-scale scripted drama productions simultaneously across domestic and international locations, including direct experience overseeing an annual slate.
  • Portfolio including multiple projects recognized by major awards bodies.
  • Expert proficiency in budgeting, scheduling, production finance, tax incentives, and labor relations; mastery of Movie Magic Budgeting/Scheduling, Word, and Excel required.
  • Strong relationships within the television production community, including producers, studios, vendors, and production executives.
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills; ability to balance creative priorities and fiscal accountability in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent distinguished experience.


Preferred Experience
  • Experience at a premium cable network, streaming platform, or major studio television division.
  • Familiarity with both studio-produced and independently produced series models.
  • Experience with virtual production, international co-financing, and complex global workflows.


Leadership Competencies
  • Strategic thinker with strong operational instincts
  • Collaborative and solutions-oriented leadership style
  • Strong creative sensibility paired with financial discipline
  • Calm and decisive under pressure
  • High degree of integrity, discretion, and professionalism


Compensation

$350,000 - $450,000

Our Benefits
  • Full Coverage - Medical, Vision, and Dental
  • Annual discretionary bonus and merit increase
  • Work/Life Balance - generous sick days, vacation days, holidays, and wellness days
  • 401(k) company matching
  • Tuition Reimbursement (up to graduate degree)

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