Department Manager

This is a Full Time Job


The Department Manager oversees talent management and workforce planning of artistic, technical and production talent. This role maintains a strong awareness of studio, departmental, and individual objectives, challenges and needs in order to develop strategies, plans and recommendations that balance the needs of the studio, productions, departments and talent, while creating a nurturing environment for excellence and growth. The Department Manager partners closely with the Craft Leaders (CL) to lead multiple production departments within Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Main Responsibilities

Workforce Planning

Responsible for staffing and workforce planning of a diverse talent population focusing on studio goals and a positive employee experience. This includes:
• Strategic and timely casting of all projects within Disney Animation.
• Strategize headcount plans (composition, promotion, extension and exit decisions).
• Partner with talent acquisition team throughout the recruitment process which includes initiating hiring need, evolving interview experience, training new interviewers, attending interviews, and maintaining relationships with non-WDAS talent.
• Provides creative solutions and resolves conflicts when resource or time constraints are identified.

Talent Development

Responsible for talent management which includes…
• Performance Assessment and Compensation
• Responsible for compensation recommendations and decisions which includes managing end of year review process, merit and salary adjustments
• Drives performance management process
• Responsible for tracking, documenting and ensuring employee performance feedback is delivered across productions/projects
• Partners with CL to assess and evaluate performance and contribution
• Provides context to individuals on how talent is assessed and compensated.
• Performance Development
• Partners with CL to identify developmental casting opportunities and training for the individual/department, with a focus on growth and retention.
• Facilitates conversations with employees to identify career goals.
• Partners with studio teams to create and provide development opportunities.
• Upholds and fosters department identity and practices which include…
• Ensures the presence of an inclusive department environment.
• Partners with CL to create, adapt and communicate departmental goals that are in alignment with studio values and priorities.
• Responsible for daily individual employee actions which include approval of time cards/pay, vacation/time off, travel, studio time initiatives, new hire onboarding, space planning, etc

Cross Department Communication and Studio Connection

Connection point between studio leadership and department which includes…
• Responsible to communicate and implement studio decisions, initiatives, and values to the department.
• Provides department context and recommendations to address issues, provide resolutions and support implementation of studio priorities.
• Demonstrates leadership behaviors, including cultivating the studio culture and actively participating in studio initiatives
• Provides clear and timely communication between studio, productions, department and individual employees which includes…
• Oversee staffing transitions, ensuring smooth and timely information flow between the production and employee.
• Collects and shares individual and departmental ideas, issues, and inspirations with studio partners.
• Consultant and conduit for employee individual issues to the appropriate support departments and/or resources.

Required Knowledge, skills and experience
• The ability to effectively communicate, collaborate, provide feedback and partner with management, and creative talent.
• Exceptional interpersonal, listening, and communication skills
• Experience in project and/or resource management, mentoring, coaching and performance management
• The ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic/ever-changing environment
• Strong skills in the area of decision making, time management and organization

Preferred Knowledge, skills and experience
• Prefer 5 years of leadership/management of a team or equivalent experience
• Specialized knowledge of the animation production process, workflows, and familiarity with production environments
• Experience with headcount planning and data analysis

The hiring range for this position in California is $119,567.00 - $149,458.00 per year based on a 40 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. 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.