Sarah Semlear
Reseda,CA
Summary
Head of Video Operations with over 17 years of media experience and background in film, digital, and broadcast content. Motivated and forward thinking leader who produces creative solutions to technical challenges. Expert in process, budgeting, team building, and management of multilayered teams. Excels at collaboration and communication to ensure successful production, post-production, studio, technology and operations environment. Strong focus on hiring and team building, with a proven track record of identifying talent, both internal and external, to grow into strong leaders within the company.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Video Operations
Netflix
07.2023 - Current
- Accountable for oversight of team operations, including post production, technology & infrastructure, color suites, edit bays, podcast studios, physical production spaces, and digital workspaces, physical production equipment, project management, tooling and financial processes.
- Support expansion of internal server and cloud infrastructure for hybrid and remote-based workflows; integrates solutions with existing cross functional teams and support pillars within Netflix.
- Spearheads post-production equipment needs and upgrades, supervises installation (hardware and software) and onboarding for all new tools and systems.
- Oversight of end-to-end workflows across multiple content types and distribution channels, digital, film, tv, social, integrated production etc.
- Accountable for growth across team; people leadership and coaching, personal development, and continuing to uplevel the performance of the team.
- Seek out partnerships with existing teams within Netflix to unlock efficiencies across our production ecosystem; continuously evaluate internal teams, vendors, and deal structures to ensure the best possible solutions and partnerships for the business.
- Evaluate, refine and improve internal processes to increase efficiency, quality of content, and operational precision to scale globally.
- Manage operations team budget and expenses and oversee production budget.
- Oversee operations vertical leads in maintaining contingent talent support roles, navigating long-term needs and presenting proposals for full time employee support needs across operating model evolution.
- Keeps up to date on current and emerging technologies across physical production and post production.
- Supervise adjustments to team project management tools & integrations as needed; supervises the build out and maintenance of workflow documentation, best practices and systems guidance.
- Ensure quarterly data accuracy and compliance for reporting across project base.
- Oversee planning around equipment and studio infrastructure needs for purchases, and priority vendor agreements.
Senior Vice President of Creative Operations
TubeScience
02.2022 - 06.2023
- Led a team of 80+ full time employees and 20+ freelancers.
- Managed the Studio, Facilities, Talent, Production, Post Production, Production Technology, and IT teams.
- Oversaw the lifecycle of video creation, ensured fast delivery and creative excellence for our clients.
- Oversaw technology needs for the company, including processing implementations, system development, system rollouts, application ownership, and daily ticketing and maintenance.
- Built and maintain vendor relationships.
- Oversaw all in-house studio productions, as well as studio and facilities rentals to external clients, including film and commercial production, events, and photo shoots.
- Created and maintain an annual budget, working closely with the CFO to maximize profit and set healthy margins.
- Oversaw monthly production budgets.
- Analyzed financials on a monthly basis to ensure the company is reaching established goals and adjust business operations as needed.
- Increased workflow efficiency by analyzing data and maximizing opportunities for improved productivity.
- Established yearly and monthly performance goals and KPIs for departments and provided methods for reaching milestones.
- Increased company growth through collaboration with sales and marketing departments.
- Hired and manage employees, including creating a freelance pipeline to ensure a cost effective business model.
- Created and maintain training and onboarding practices and protocols.
- Mentored staff on career growth and skill development, creating a positive work environment for employees to flourish.
Sr Director of Production Ops & Post-Production
BuzzFeed
01.2021 - 02.2022
- Led a team of 70 plus people and various cast and crew hires on Production, Post, Creative Resources, Studio and Production Technology teams at BuzzFeed.
- Maintained all current responsibilities under previous title, while delegating tasks and building up teams to handle certain projects.
- High level budget oversight and forecasting of all teams to ensure health of the business.
- Worked to create a unified production management tool that ties in all aspects of the business and can easily track the lifecycle of a project, using API tie ins when systems can not be fully merged.
- Identified areas of growth and pain points within the organization and work collaboratively with other departments to address.
- Worked closely with IT to unify all backend systems and ensure that processes are not duplicative or causing unnecessary spend.
- Partnered with IT on acquisition, formerly for HuffPost and currently for Complex, to ensure efficient changeovers during transitional periods, with a focus on data migration and process deep dives.
- Identified areas of growth and revenue within BuzzFeed.
Director of Production Ops & Post-Production
BuzzFeed
12.2020 - 01.2021
- Led a team of 50 plus people and various cast and crew hires on the Production, Post, and Production Technilogy teams at BuzzFeed.
- Maintained all current responsibilities under previous title, while delegating tasks and building up teams to handle certain projects.
- Oversaw the entire Production pipeline, from Ideation, to Production, to Post-Production for both Branded and Editorial video.
- Oversaw production budget and timeline as a whole, ensuring efficient delivery and healthy margins.
- Constantly adjusted workflow and process to meet the needs of the industry, making sure that the company can pivot quickly to adjust to extreme situations without losing profit.
- Created and maintained production management tool and content management tool that ties Production and Post process together, ensuring accurate project tracking and scalability.
- Established shorter timelines and faster turn around times to stay competitive within the market.
- Increased margin by implementing lean and effective production teams.
- Implemented standard hiring process for cast and crew; ensure that diversity is a key part of the hiring process, and that the right voices are highlighted to speak to BuzzFeed's unique brands and channels.
- Guided and mentor full time and freelance employees, identifying talent and training to become strong leaders for the company.
Director of Post-Production
BuzzFeed
02.2019 - 12.2019
- Led a team of 30 plus people, and up to 50 freelance editors.
- Oversaw Post-Production workflow for both Branded and Editorial video, ensuring standards and process were set for delivery to all digital platforms.
- Oversaw budgets and timelines, ensuring fast turnaround time while staying within allotted budget, ran analytics and adjusted workflow to maintain optimal delivery and output.
- Audited and maintained Post-Production technology to ensure all systems were optimal for current workflow.
- Oversaw Post-Production technology like the SAN and archive systems.
- Led the team in system development and project management, from identifying requirements, to build, to user rollout.
- Worked with outside vendors to negotiate services and contracts.
- Helped to grow and build the team, providing guidance and leadership for staff employees, while maintaining a collaborative relationship with freelance editors.
Director Of Post-Production & Technical Operations
Vox Media
03.2017 - 02.2019
- Managed a team of division leads including but not limited to; Media Operations, OTT and broadcast workflows and deliveries, and Equipment & Logistics.
- Developed, implemented, and oversaw asset, resource, and rights management systems.
- Identified solutions for technical infrastructure and oversaw implementation.
- Optimized and oversaw processes and procedures for Production, Post-Production, Production Management, and Technical Operations teams with focus on automation, ease of access, and data reporting.
- Identified, prioritized and assigned projects for teams.
- Developed and implemented policies for technical operations, post production, equipment room and equipment rentals.
- Oversaw system roll-out, training and user adoption.
- Vendor management and management of internal teams and stakeholders.
- Responsible for growing and building teams, including hiring, coaching, and professional development.
- Managed budgets and tracked cost across all projects and technology needs.
Senior Digital Operations Manager
Comedy Central and MTV Networks
03.2016 - 03.2017
- Coordinated pre and post production workflow for Comedy Central and MTV's original content for site, app, and social.
- Managed a team of 15 people that operate over a 24 hour period.
- Was responsible for hiring for Comedy Central's Digital Entertainment Group.
- Managed scheduling of video editors and for staffing for special events.
- Managed budgeting for Comedy Central's Digital Entertainment Group.
- Worked on a high level to ensure deliverables of special event content, such as the DNC and RNC convention footage.
- Product development and testing for Comedy Central site and app and media management systems.
- Developed road maps and mapped product requirements for in house and externally build tools.
- Worked with outside vendors to incorporate APIs into existing interfaces.
Digital Operations Manager
Comedy Central
02.2014 - 03.2016
- Managed the day and night operations of Comedy Central's digital entertainment group.
- Managed a team of 8 people that operate over a 24 hour period.
- Worked with internal groups, as well as outside vendors, to improve user experience.
- Oversaw QA process for site and app.
- Provided training and support for all software, troubleshooting, and general questions.
- Helped to maintain media management systems.
- Oversaw delivery of content from on-air to site, app, and social media.
- Coordinated the creation of original content to site, app, and Snapchat.
Video Editor
Comedy Central
01.2010 - 02.2012
- Edited original web based content for The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.
- Delivered content from on air to the Comedy Central site and app.
- Oversaw nightly process and ensured quality of delivered content.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Film
SUNY Purchase
Purchase, NY2009
Skills
- Product & System development
- Asset/rights/resource management
- Project management
- Budget & Timeline development
- Viral strategies and promotions
- Strong verbal communication
- Vendor management
- Editing Software
- Audio editing/mixing/Color correction/graphics
- CMS & publishing platforms
- Livestream/live to air/near live workflows
- Studio & Equipment management
- Compliance and safety protocols
- Hiring and building strong teams
Timeline
Head of Video Operations
Netflix
07.2023 - Current
Senior Vice President of Creative Operations
TubeScience
02.2022 - 06.2023
Sr Director of Production Ops & Post-Production
BuzzFeed
01.2021 - 02.2022
Director of Production Ops & Post-Production
BuzzFeed
12.2020 - 01.2021
Director of Post-Production
BuzzFeed
02.2019 - 12.2019
Director Of Post-Production & Technical Operations
Vox Media
03.2017 - 02.2019
Senior Digital Operations Manager
Comedy Central and MTV Networks
03.2016 - 03.2017
Digital Operations Manager
Comedy Central
02.2014 - 03.2016
Video Editor
Comedy Central
01.2010 - 02.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Film
SUNY Purchase
Similar Profiles
Risper MuthamiaRisper Muthamia
MANAGER; CONTENT - AFRICA at NETFLIXMANAGER; CONTENT - AFRICA at NETFLIX
Fred ReyesFred Reyes
Security Supervisor at NetflixSecurity Supervisor at Netflix
Hatice Fulya YavuzHatice Fulya Yavuz
Subtitle Translator at NetflixSubtitle Translator at Netflix