Manager, Employee Relations Jobs

Walt Disney Pictures seeks a Manager, Employee Relations in Burbank, CA to support the Walt Disney Studios Human Resources team, primarily in the production setting. The Employee Relations function is responsible for promoting and enabling a fair and inclusive workplace that safeguards the company’s employment brand by ensuring that crew members, employees, and company interests are handled in a fair and consistent manner. In addition to responsibility for supporting the ongoing evolution of the Walt Disney Studios’ Employee Relations department, this position will work with the Director, Employee Relations and broader team to collaborate with clients, HR Business Partners, Labor Relations, Legal, and other internal partners, to provide counsel and act as a proactive consultant to the business, primarily with respect to production on set issues and executive support, but also may include additional employee support.

Responsibilities:

• Research and respond to agency claims, including DFEH, EEOC, and grievances as applicable.
• Conduct in-person Preventing Workplace Harassment training for employees and crew members.
• Support the performance management process by providing general consultation, preparation of written warnings, performance improvement plans, coaching, key messaging and other related documents.
• Work primarily with productions to review and evolve their site-specific policies to ensure alignment with broader company policies and practices. Improve employee relations acumen by training and educating partners and clients on updates to policies and practices.
• Respond to employee and crew concerns and complaints of potential unlawful behavior, such as discrimination and harassment, or violation of Company policies, by conducting timely internal investigations independently or in conjunction with supervisors, HR Business Partners and other business partners.
• Cultivate a strong client oriented service rapport with HR Business Partner teams, Production leadership and other internal partners that is based on a high level of collaboration and inclusion.
• Manage individual cases and address big picture issues. Help determine the root cause and develop proactive strategies to effectively reduce undesirable activity and sustain positive results.
• Prepare recommendations for review and consult with Employee Relations leadership, Labor Relations and Legal partners regarding appropriate disciplinary action, including termination.
• Enhance and support consistent and automated processes for ER activities to enhance partnerships with clients, HR colleagues, and Legal. This includes the case intake process and management, documentation, tracking systems and reporting.
• Manage critical Employee Relations projects that support a fair and inclusive workplace that safeguards the company’s employment brand by ensuring that employee and company interests are handled in a fair and consistent manner.
• Ensure compliance of company policies and practices by responding to inquiries regarding policy and procedure interpretation, and providing guidance to HRBPs, employees, and crew members.
• Participate in other functional work by leading and participating in related special projects, as applicable.

Basic Qualifications:

• High degree of initiative, independent judgment and discretion
• Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information in a manner that inspires confidence and trust
• Strong written and verbal/consultative skills
• Ability and flexibility to travel
• Bachelor’s degree in related field; Juris Doctorate preferred
• Knowledge of employment law and practices (with an emphasis on ADA, the interactive process for accommodation requests, and leave of absence requirements); understanding of Company policies, procedures, state and federal laws, with the ability to apply the knowledge to multiple situations, with an emphasis on the production environment
• Ability to consult, respond to inquiries and influence a wide variety of key stakeholders
• 6+ years’ experience in Employee Relations OR relevant alternative work experience in employment law
• Creative and strategic problem solving skills
• Ability to execute against multiple high priority projects through exceptional organizational, prioritization and effective time/project management skills
• Ability to independently conduct a thorough investigation
• Demonstrated ability to effectively resolve conflict
• On set production experience preferred, but not required

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or related work experience required

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $135,000 to $165,000 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.