Project Manager
About Animax Designs
Animax Designs is a leading designer and manufacturer of custom animatronic figures, show systems, and specialty products for the themed entertainment and attractions industry. Our projects bring characters and experiences to life for some of the world's most recognized entertainment brands and destinations.
Position Summary
Animax Designs is seeking an experienced Project Manager to manage complex projects from contract award through final delivery and close-out. This role is focused primarily on project execution and delivery, with responsibility for schedules, budgets, resources, deliverables, risk management, and client communication.
The Project Manager will work closely with Creative, Engineering, Production, Procurement, Finance, and external clients to keep projects on schedule, within budget, and aligned with quality and contractual requirements.
The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a strong sense of urgency and a client-service mentality. They should be able to understand the big picture while managing important details, identify issues quickly, and take decisive action to keep projects moving forward.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, maintain, and update detailed project schedules, budgets, resource plans, and milestones.
- Manage projects through design, engineering, fabrication, testing, delivery, installation, and close-out.
- Track project scope, schedule, budget, risks, quality, and deliverables and communicate issues promptly.
- Coordinate activities across Creative, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Production, Procurement, and Finance.
- Lead regular internal and external project meetings and serve as the primary day-to-day project contact for clients.
- Manage project resources and workflow to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
- Monitor project financial performance, costs, forecasts, expenses, and client payments.
- Identify out-of-scope work and coordinate change orders with appropriate internal teams and clients.
- Monitor production and installation progress and work with project teams to resolve issues and implement recovery plans.
- Maintain project documentation, including action items, risk logs, status reports, requirements, and schedules.
- Assist with project estimating and proposal activities as needed.
- Infrequent travel.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, Art, or a related field preferred.
- 5+ years of experience managing complex projects from planning through completion.
- Demonstrated experience managing schedules, budgets, resources, scope, risks, and deliverables.
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prioritize, manage change, address issues quickly, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management software such as Smartsheet or Microsoft Project.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in themed entertainment, animatronics, attractions, engineering, manufacturing, or fabrication.
- Experience managing highly complex or engineered projects.
- Experience working with major theme parks or entertainment brands.
- Familiarity with contracts, specifications, change orders, project accounting, or WIP reporting.
- PMP certification is a plus.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.