Job Advertisement – Network Manager – Immersive Technologies Skillnet

Immersive Technologies Skillnet has recently been established to provide subsidised skills development solutions to the Immersive Technology sectors (Games, VR/AR/MR etc.) in Ireland through high-end, bespoke training courses that are designed and delivered by industry specialists.

Immersive Technologies Skillnet is co-funded by Skillnet Ireland and member companies.

Immersive Technologies Skillnet is looking to hire a Network Manager. This is a part-time contract position until the end of 2020 with the possibility of an extension to the contract pending allocation of funding for 2021 and successful performance of the role.

Role – Details and Duties

The list below is not exhaustive and might be complemented by reasonable and related additional tasks.

Courses and Events

  • Carry out skills gap analysis on an ongoing basis regarding the Immersive Technology industry and related sectors.
  • Design and implement industry relevant skills development initiatives which will address skills gaps and future skills. Skills development initiatives can include online/remote courses, direct course provision, mentoring, shadowing and structured on-the-job learning.

Working with the Network Director

  • Work closely and maintain a high level of communication with the Network Director to achieve objectives of the organisation for the benefit of Immersive Technologies Skillnet members.
  • Work closely with the Network Director to design, develop and manage training programmes for Immersive Technologies Skillnet.

Working with Stakeholders

  • Engage with all the various stakeholders in the Immersive Technology industry and related sectors regarding the skills needs of the sector.
  • Build relationships with education/training providers linked to the Immersive Technology sector.
  • Promote skills development initiatives between third level and industry and work with the Director to design bridging programmes for recent graduates.
  • Attend industry events to promote training and education opportunities in Ireland.
  • Build relationships with International organisations to promote the Irish Immersive Technology industry and encourage business opportunities.
  • Promote the network and its offering to attract new members and participants.
  • Organise networking events for members.
  • Continue to strengthen partnership and collaboration with key stakeholders such as Skillnet Ireland, DublinBIC, Screen Skills Ireland, IMIRT, Eirmersive, Technology Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Industrial Development Authority and others.

Working with the Administrator

  • Maintain a high level of communication with the administrator to ensure all administrative and organisational tasks are delivered including general administration; event organisation; Data entry; Data collection for funding applications; reservations and bookings; Steering Group meetings; financial management including processing quotes, invoices, receipts and preparing documents for end of year financial reporting, audit and compliance visits; updating the Immersive Technologies Skillnet Website and Social Media accounts.

Requirements – Qualifications, Skills and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in an Immersive Technologies related discipline or relevant experience supplemented with an equivalent qualification.
  • Over 5 years of experience working in the Immersive Technology industry or a related area.
  • Experience of organising training courses/events (online/remote and in-person).
  • Knowledge of the range of roles and skills required within the Immersive Technology industry.
  • An understanding of the various stakeholders within the Immersive Technology sector.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • An excellent team worker with a strong sense of autonomy and the ability to work on own initiative.
  • A forward thinker, ideas generator and solution driven.
  • A demonstrated commitment to equality and diversity issues.
  • The capability to interface confidently with the Network Director, Administrator, Trainees, and other stakeholders is a key element of the role.
  • An ability to prioritise tasks and projects and learn in a dynamic environment.

Application Process

Interested applicants are invited to forward a detailed CV that highlights relevant experience and a covering letter in strict confidence to animationskillnet@gmail.com by Monday 6th July 2020.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual interview for the role in July.

This is a part-time contract post until the end of 2020 that will be remunerated at between €2,000- €2,500 per month depending on experience.

Interview: Terrence Masson

Ahead of his visit to Dublin next Monday, Terrence Masson kindly agreed to answer a few of our questions, as we are impatiently waiting to ask meet him in person and ask him a lot more!
Chair of the MFA Computer Arts department at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, Terrence is an animation and visual effects artist and producer with 30 years of production and education leadership experience. He came up through the ranks on more than 20 feature films including Hook, True Lies, Interview with the Vampire and three Star Wars movies; his work also includes short animated film, broadcast, video games and interactive media. He developed the original CG animation method for South Park in 1996 and his short film ‘Bunkie & Booboo’ won first place in the World Animation Celebration.

Hi Terrence! Who are the artists or artworks that inspire you the most, within or outside the film & animation realms?

I have an Art History minor with my undergraduate degree, so learned early to appreciate the masters including abstract expressionism, surrealism… Leonado DaVinci always.

What skills do you think will be important for the Animation and Visual Effects industries in the future?

Fundamental skills like figure drawing, color theory, composition, lighting, etc. will always be critical, combined with the ever changing new tech, like AI and Machine Learning, VR/AR/MR …

How important is it to stay ahead of the curve with regards to learning new technology in the Animation and Visual Effects industries?

Very! (See above) But always along side fundamentals!

What does lifelong learning mean to you as an Animation/Visual Effects professional?

For me, I get bored easily doing the same thing so I’m always looking our for newer, unsolved problems, so-called “impossible” tasks, combining things in new ways … and learning from my students as they explore, fail and discover ‘happy accidents’.

What are the areas of growth in the Animation and Visual Effects industries? Comparatively, what are the areas of decline?

While not new, the various XR tech (VR/AR/MR) are becoming mature in many ways both tech, creative use and application … but on the very near horizon is AI and Machine Learning which will have a massive and profound effect on everything we do.

In terms of your own experience of interdisciplinary collaboration, can you tell us about your most memorable experience?

I have so many, but building and running the “Image Engineering” group for Douglas Trumbull on the Luxor project was insanely cool … taking art department sketches, developing them in 3D with Alias, outputting files to stereolithography for the modelshop to use in building miniature sets, working with Doug to refine and previsualize camera moves that would drive the massive gantry motion-control camera and match move with the CG elements … all in 1992!

Finally, is there an upcoming artist you would like to mention, someone we should keep an eye out for?

One that comes to mind is Goro Fujita who not only is a brilliant artist but someone who is using the latest tools and applications and making a huge effort to share everything he does online to inspire others.

Animation Skillnet are delighted to be partnering with Screen Skills Ireland and Animation Ireland to host a discussion with Terrence Masson on Monday the 8th of April from 6pm to 8pm.

Please apply/register online through Animation Skillnet http://animationskillnet.ie/event-registration/?ee=248 by 12pm on Friday the 29th March 2019. For further information, please email Sorcha.scully@screenskillsireland.ie