Sr. Manager, Affirmative Action/Diversity

This is a Full Time Job

POSITION PURPOSE:
Assist the National Director and Associate National Director with the day-to-day operations of the Department as well as strategic planning and implementation of policies and programs initiated by the Department. Supervise and manage department staff in servicing Guild members, the National Office, Branches, and other Guild Departments in all Affirmative Action / Diversity-related issues, events and activities. Support the activities of departmental committees, including the Women’s Committee, Seniors Committee, Performers with Disabilities Committee, Ethnic Employment Opportunities Committee, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Committee, Native American Indian Committees and Spanish Language Task Force. Enforce the Policy of Non-Discrimination and Diversity pursuant to the Guild’s collective bargaining agreement and relevant federal and state non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity laws. Promote casting opportunities using the Diversity, Special Skills and Talent Bank, IActor, department directories, talent showcases and SAGIndie’s Diversity in Casting Incentives etc. Educate and outreach to Guild members, Guild staff, producers/filmmakers, networks, studios, advertising agencies and their agents (producers, directors, writers, casting directors, agents, and managers etc.) and industry stakeholders on diversity issues. Write grant applications and assist in the administration of such grants. Serve as a resource and respond to inquiries, requests for assistance and information from members, staff, public/civic/community organizations, media, and other industry stake-holders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
This section provides a general summary of the most significant job duties performed. It does not explain in detail every single duty performed.

• Promote and further mission and policies of the Department.
• Manage Affirmative Action/Diversity staff, including Assistant Manager, Administrative Assistants, Secretaries and temp employees/interns;
• Enforce contractual non-discrimination agreements and appropriate federal, state and local laws;
• Protect members against workplace harassment and discrimination by overseeing complaint intake, case management, conflict resolution/mediation and education;
• Research, compile and analyze relevant data to track hiring trends of diverse members and measure effectiveness of current diversity programs and initiatives ;
• Network and outreach to appropriate industry stakeholders to promote diversity initiatives and enforce agreements;
• Develop and supervise all activities, programs and initiatives of the Department;
• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with members, Committee Chairs, Committee Members, Board Members in furtherance of committee activities.
• Grant writing and administration.
• Draft any and all necessary correspondence relating to Affirmative Action / Diversity matters such as SAG magazine articles, press releases, and department reports and analysis.
• Serve as Liaison to Industry Professionals and Organizations, including managing member, guild-staff, public, civic/community base organizations, media, intra-guild and industry inquiries, request for assistance and information.
• Serve as Liaison to national and local member committees, including:

o Plan and execute all aspects of national and local committee meetings. Act as a facilitator for all meetings. Be able to manage member expectations and anticipate problems with solutions.

o Advise and provide technical support to Committees on how to initiate and execute events and programs. Be able to efficiently and effectively coordinate and resolve competing interests, be responsible for all duties related to events and programs, be able to identify problems and troubleshoot

o Support committee events and programs through work within the AA/Diversity Dept. and, when appropriate, with other SAG Depts. and outside individuals and/or organizations. Promote the goals and work of the Committees to Guild and Industry.

o Advise and support Committees with annual budgets and all grant applications.

o Be the point person for all member inquiries relating to the activities of the committees. Be able to encourage and support member participation in committees or activities of committees.

o Be able to succinctly ask department for assistance and delegate duties while being cognizant of department deadlines and hours of work.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
(The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.)

• Must possess knowledge and comprehension of issues related to diversity, affirmative action and equal employment opportunity.
• Must possess excellent follow through skills
• Must have strong oral and written communication. Must be able facilitate and present to a large audiences, including members, staff, industry stakeholders and public at large.
• Must be able to use multiple PC applications
• Must be detail oriented and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently
• Must be able to organize and coordinate multiple committees and tasks under daily deadlines
• Must be able to prioritize and complete tasks with little supervision
• Must demonstrate ability to build consensus and facilitate conflict resolution amongst divergent opinions/views
• Must have prior experience with strategic planning and policy, event coordination, outreach and organizing.
• Must have consistent professional demeanor and high degree of discretion and diplomacy
• Must be able to work in a very stressful environment where constructive feedback from others is encouraged and applied
• Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such level as is determined at Department’s sole discretion
• Must be available and willing to work weekday evening, weekends and holidays, as Department determines is necessary to meet its business needs
• Must be available and willing to travel to such locations and with such frequency as the Department determines is necessary or desirable to meet its business needs


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and/or Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
• Knowledge of Affirmative Action/Diversity, Labor-Management and/or Human Resources policies, procedures, laws and issues
• 2-3 years managing direct reports
• Grant writing experience
• Significant experience in strategic planning and policy, outreach, event coordination, programming and evaluation.
• Experience in entertainment (film, television and commercial) industries or community based organizations focused on issues of diversity and affirmative action. Experience working directly with talent, including casting, representation, and/or management, is a plus.