Head of IT

WildBrain Studios is looking for a strategic and hands-on Head of IT to join our team! 

In this role you’ll oversee our studio’s IT operations, lead infrastructure and systems planning, and ensure the seamless support of our artists and production teams. You’ll be responsible for designing and maintaining a robust, secure, and scalable environment — with a strong emphasis on Linux-based systems that support the complex needs of the studio and its productions. 

Find a job that lets your imagination run wild! 
WildBrain Studios produces fan-favorite animation and award-winning content that kids and families love in every corner of the globe. We love what we do and it shows in the quality content we produce! Our custom-built Vancouver studio in beautiful British Columbia is a wonderful backdrop for our artists, but it doesn’t end there, we have employees working remotely across BC, Canada, and the world!  Our artist-centric culture means we invest in our people, we provide training and growth opportunities, a healthy work-life balance, and fun activities throughout the year to meet, mingle and get creative with your team. If you like what you are reading so far, well buckle up, we’re just getting started! 

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and manage the IT team across support, systems, network and implementation of new technologies for a remote/hybrid workforce 
• Oversee all IT infrastructure, systems architecture, networking, and storage – with a focus on Linux-based environments 
• Deploy technologies that ensure artist connectivity is fast and secure, no matter their geographical location 
• Provide regular mentorship, training and development pathways for the IT team to support scalability and succession planning 
• Collaborate with production, pipeline and software teams to ensure IT solutions align with artistic and technical needs 
• Drive planning and implementation of infrastructure upgrades, studio expansion, security protocols, backup systems, and licensing strategies 
• Lead the IT integration of House of Cool (Toronto) with our Vancouver studio 
• With the Head of Technology, particiapte in reviewing corporate IT (Toronto) and make recommendations to ensure WildBrain Studios (Vancouver) is operating most efficiently 
• Ensure studio systems are scalable, redundant, and optimized for performance and security 
• Manage vendor relationships, procurement, and software licensing lifecycles 
• Create and maintain IT budgets, documentation, and standard operating procedures. 
• Lead cybersecurity and compliance initiatives, including TPN, MPAA and partner security audits (e.g., Apple, Netflix, Disney) 
• Own disaster recovery and business continuity planning with tested fallback systems 
• Act as a strategic partner to the executive team for long-term tech planning and innovation 
• Stay up to date on the latest developments in IT and associated industries 

What You'll Bring:

• 7+ years of IT experience, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role. 
• Strong knowledge of networking (LAN/WAN/VPN), storage (NAS/SAN), backup systems, and virtualization technologies 
• Experience with render farms, asset servers, and media/animation production workflows 
• Solid understanding of cybersecurity frameworks, endpoint management and access control 
• Familiarity with industry-standard tools preferred (e.g., Autodesk Maya, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Substance, SideFX Houdini, The Foundry Nuke, Autodesk Flow Platform) and scripting languages (e.g., Python) and command-line syntax (e.g., Bash / Shell, PowerShell)
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and project management skills
• Ability to balance big-picture planning with day-to-day hands-on technical problem-solving 

Nice to Have:

• Proven experience managing the IT function within production environments, preferably in VFX, animation, gaming, or post-production 
• Experience with cloud and hybrid infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure). 
  Knowledge of monitoring, orchestration, and automation tools (e.g., Grafana, Docker, Kubernetes). 
• Background in scripting and infrastructure-as-code (e.g., Ansible, Terraform, YAML/JSON). 
• ITIL, CISSP, or CISM certifications. 
• Understanding of open-source creative tools 

We make sure to take care of all our hard-working Wild Brains by offering a comprehensive benefits package and a workplace culture that values our employees’ wellbeing. Our staff enjoy RRSP matching, multi-tiered benefits so you can pick the coverage that’s best for you, free mental health resources, and additional perks like regular events to connect our teams virtually, and in-person.

In short – life is good on the Wild side!

Visit wildbrain.com/studios to learn more!

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" WildBrain Studio provides an atmosphere free from barriers to promote inclusion, equity and diversity. We demonstrate our commitment to this by providing a supportive work environment and a culture that welcomes and encourages equal opportunities for all employees. WildBrain Studio also accommodates people with disabilities throughout the selection process. Should you require accommodation, please let us know your requirements when contacted.”

Pay Range: $140,000 - $150,000 CAD per year

Candidates are paid within the range posted, but their exact pay will vary based on the level, responsibilities and expectations of the role. We also take into consideration the experience and skills that individual brings, with consideration of our internal equity.