Role: Head of Virtual Production
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Belfast Harbour Studios, Northern Ireland
Contract Type: Permanent
INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
Studio Ulster Ltd is a ground-breaking large-scale Virtual Production creative technology company, established in early 2024 and set to launch in Q4 2024 at Belfast Harbour Studios, just 10 minutes from Belfast City Centre. This £75 m, 75,000 ft² facility will house some of the most advanced creative technology stages in the world, including cutting-edge In-Camera Visual Effects (ICVFX) on one of the largest LED Volume Stages globally, along with state-of-the-art Motion Capture and 3D/4D Volumetric Scanning stages, among other supporting facilities.
Studio Ulster is a strategic partnership with Belfast Harbour Studios, supported by Northern Ireland Screen, and is designed to elevate the commercial studio capability for real-time visual effects across the UK and Ireland. The complex is also home to the UKRI/AHRC-funded CoSTAR Screen Lab, a creative technologies lab focusing on real-time production, which alone unlocks nearly £11m in research investment.
This world-class facility, housed in a custom-built structure and supported by a highly skilled crew, is located in a region renowned for its production excellence, with iconic shows like Game of Thrones made in Northern Ireland.
Aligned with the recent government initiatives under the Creative Industries Sector Vision to grow the UK's GDP by £50 billion and create one million jobs by 2030, Studio Ulster is poised to attract some of the largest production companies globally, as well as local and national screen industry contracts.
To propel this ambitious venture forward, Studio Ulster is seeking a Head of Virtual Production.
JOB SUMMARY
The Head of Virtual Production will be responsible for leading all aspects of virtual production workflows across film and TV projects. This senior role bridges creative vision with cutting-edge technology, ensuring seamless integration of real-time visual effects, LED volume shooting, motion capture, pre-vis, and post-vis pipelines.
The role requires strong leadership, deep technical knowledge, and creative collaboration with directors, cinematographers, VFX supervisors, and production teams.
KEY DUTIES
Leadership & Strategy
* Define and implement virtual production strategies across diverse projects and production scales.
* Build, lead, and mentor a multidisciplinary team: including virtual art department (VAD), tech artists, engine operators, systems engineers, mocap technicians, and real-time specialists.
* Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies to keep our pipeline at the forefront of innovation.
Project Execution
* Oversee the full virtual production pipeline, from pre-visualization and tech-vis through to performance capture, virtual scouting, and production (ICVFX).
* Collaborate closely with directors, cinematographers, and production designers to ensure creative intent is fully realized in real-time environments.
* Work alongside VFX, art, and production design departments to ensure all assets are optimized for real-time rendering and LED volume use.
Technical Oversight
* Manage the deployment and optimization of real-time engines (e.g., Unreal Engine) and LED volume workflows.
* Oversee integration of camera tracking, LiDAR scanning, mocap, and real-time rendering systems.
* Identify and troubleshoot technical issues during pre-production and on-set operations to ensure seamless execution.
Cross-Department Collaboration
* Serve as the key liaison between creative, technical, and operational departments.
* Facilitate virtual scouting, camera sessions, and real-time visualization for all stakeholders.
* Ensure smooth transition of virtual assets and data across departments—from pre-vis to production to post-production.
Budget, Scheduling, & Logistics
* Partner with clients and producers to scope and build accurate virtual production budgets and timelines.
* Manage relationships with vendors and coordinate outsourcing as needed.
* Collaborate with studio operations and stage management teams to coordinate scheduling, hardware deployments, stage resets, and real-time logistics to keep production moving smoothly.
* Maintain a strong network of local and international freelance talent, and actively source qualified crew based on project needs and location.
* Oversee the broader studio schedule, maintaining visibility across all four stages and ensuring alignment of resources, timelines, and technical workflows.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
* Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Film, VFX, or related field – or equivalent industry experience.
* 8+ years of experience in film/TV production, with 3+ years in a leadership role in virtual production or real-time pipeline development.
* Understanding of Virtual Production tools, like Unreal Engine & Pixera
* Strong understanding of traditional and digital cinematography, lighting, and visual effects.
* Familiarity with motion capture, camera tracking systems (e.g., Mo-Sys, Ncam), and LED volumes.
* Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.
* Google Suite & Microsoft Office efficient
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
* Experience with large-scale productions using LED walls and Virtual Production / ICVFX (in-camera visual effects).
* Understanding of DCC tools (e.g., Maya, Blender, Houdini) and VFX pipelines.
* Comfortable presenting technical solutions to non-technical stakeholders.
WORKING AT STUDIO ULSTER
Based at the Studio Ulster complex in Northern Ireland, the Head of Virtual Production may be expected to travel as necessary to fulfil the needs of the role, may involve on-set work in high-pressure production environments. Flexible with remote collaboration across global teams.
Studio Ulster offers a competitive salary package that is commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. This package includes a comprehensive benefits suite and bonuses which aligns with the industry standards and reflects our commitment to the wellbeing of our team.
Studio Ulster Ltd is committed to developing all employees and operates a Developmental Appraisal Review (DAR) which is mandatory. You will be required to meet with your line manager at least every year as part of the DAR process. If you have line management responsibility for other staff, you will be required to conduct DAR meetings with your staff at least once every two years.
All staff in Studio Ulster Ltd have a responsibility to comply with the company’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Health and Safety Policy. Line Managers have responsibility for ensuring compliance with these Policies within their own area.
We welcome applications from all members of society, irrespective of age, disability, sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, or belief. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
This role must be performed in person in Belfast. We are only considering applicants who are currently based in the Belfast area or who are willing to relocate. A relocation stipend can be discussed as part of the hiring process.
Apply now if you’re interested in being a part of an innovative new enterprise in the heart of motion picture and television.
Send your CV and a Cover Letter to our team via our LinkedIn job post.
Submissions that do not include BOTH a CV and Cover Letter will not be considered.
Deadline for submissions is Friday 18th July 2025
We look forward to receiving your application!