Job Description

Job Summary:

Walt Disney Pictures seeks a Manager, Employee Relations inAtlanta, Georgiato 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 VP, 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:

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. 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.
Support the performance management process by providing general consultation, preparation of written warnings, performance improvement plans, coaching, key messaging and other related documents.
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.
Respond to crew member and non-production employee 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.
Prepare recommendations for review and consult with Employee Relations leadership and Legal partners regarding appropriate disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
Research and respond to agency claims, including DFEH, EEOC, and union grievances as applicable.
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.
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 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.
Participate in other functional work by leading and participating in related special projects, as applicable.

Basic Qualifications:

6+years’ experience in Employee Relations OR relevant alternative work experience in employment law
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 and flexibility to travel
Ability to independently conduct a thorough investigation
Strong written and verbal/consultative skills
Demonstrated ability to effectively resolve conflict
Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information in a manner that inspires confidence and trust
Ability to consult, respond to inquiries and influence a wide variety of key stakeholders
Creative and strategic problem solving skills
Ability to execute against multiple high priority projects through exceptional organizational, prioritization and effective time/project management skills
High degree of initiative, independent judgment and discretion
On set production experience preferred, but not required