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Manager, HR Business Partner

Job ID 10119962 Location Burbank, California, United States / Glendale, California, United States Business ESPN Date posted May 02, 2025
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Job Summary:

About the Role & Team

At Disney, we are storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We can do this through using and developing groundbreaking technology and opening up the boundaries to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our team in delivering unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world!

When we grow and develop our people, we’re investing in our future. As forward-looking Human Resources professionals, we are the champions of this investment. The Human Resources team does so much more than just support our employees…we engage our people, inspire change, and help our businesses achieve results. How do we do this? By crafting the employee experience on all levels. By collaborating with our clients to build and implement innovative business strategies. By being a true thought partner and proactively anticipating business cycles. By fostering leadership success and being leaders in change management. By enabling thoughtful decisions, using business data, metrics, and external market insights.

As a forward-looking business partner, the Manager, HRBP will serve as a strategic partner to executive business leaders. This role will contribute to defining and implementing the HR strategy which aligns and integrates with the business's strategy and objectives.  The Manager, HRBP will support Content Platforms & Operations within Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology (DEEP&T) while partnering closely with HR Center of Excellence teams (e.g., Compensation, Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations) and functional partners (e.g., Finance, Communications) to proactively assess business performance and develop HR solutions that promote organizational and employee effectiveness. This role will also serve as an advisor to business leaders regarding HR policies and processes (e.g., merit and promotion planning, performance management, and talent planning) to optimize employee engagement and productivity.

If you're ready for an opportunity of a lifetime with DEEP&T, we'd like to hear from you!

What You Will Do

  • Support, establish, and maintain an intimate understanding of the client organizations and the business, in the interest of building effective and productive working relationships with internal stakeholders and clients at all levels of the organization.

  • Manage, develop, and drive the implementation of HR strategies and initiatives that align with the business priorities and goals.

  • Coach business executives on HR policies and processes, including talent planning, learning and development, and performance management to promote engagement and a culture of continuous growth and development.

  • Partner with Diversity and Inclusion team to develop thoughtful, integrated approaches to promote diversity and inclusion in talent attraction, development, and retention.

  • Understand and translate business priorities, employee insights, and external market factors to support talent strategies and improve the business’s capabilities to deliver against its goals.

  • Develop and drive change management efforts as our businesses continue to evolve.

  • Develop leaders through ongoing coaching and feedback on personal and team performance.

  • Act as project manager for assigned HR initiatives and special projects (e.g., employee survey action planning, performance management, talent planning, compensation planning, career development, and organization design).

  • Manage day-to-day HR issues for assigned client groups.

  • Serve as a credible partner for employees to voice concerns, ask questions, and request assistance.

  • Facilitate the consistent application, implementation and improvement of HR policies, processes, and programs (e.g., merit and promotion planning, performance management, employee relations, career development, headcount planning, etc.)

  • Partner within internal team to develop and execute a lifecycle, calibrated approach to talent management by assessing organizational performance systematically, defining talent gaps and proposing solutions in support of business objectives.

  • Lead and champion performance management process and system to foster an inclusive culture.

  • Collaborate with business leaders as well as Learning and Development teams to leverage existing programs and develop specific learning experiences meaningful for all employees.

  • Assess employee training and development needs based on business strategy to help close the gaps between current and future skill sets.

  • Collaborate with other HR Business Partner and Workforce Insights teams to support employee survey, review results analysis, provide recommendations, and support action-planning process.

  • Collaborate with recruitment, with a strong focus on acquiring and retaining top talent and on building pipeline for future needs and focusing on D&I initiatives.

  • Act as an advisor and mentor to more junior members of the HRBP team.

Required Qualifications & Skills

  • Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience as an HR Business Partner in a dynamic environment or equivalent role, with specific experience in strategy development, organization design, talent management, and change management preferred.

  • Demonstrated success in synthesizing complex business data/information and developing innovative and holistic solutions.

  • Experience working with senior executives in an “influence-without-authority” role.

  • Ability to maintain a broad view of the business and deliver solutions that balance individual client and overall company needs.

  • Strong consulting and influencing skills, ability to adapt communications appropriately to the audience, and work with leaders at all levels.   

  • Strong diagnostic, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

  • Ability to focus on critical issues to balance and respond to competing priorities.

  • Demonstrated ability to work in and manage ambiguity – dealing with issues that do not always have a process or a system in place with the capability to help define the process.

  • Ability to position self as credible (garners respect, acts with integrity, keeps commitments); proactive (has a point of view, challenges assumptions, takes initiative); and a trusted thought-partner (builds relationships, delivers results).

  • High sense of discretion with confidential and sensitive information.

  • Establishes and manages relationships with HR colleagues within Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology and across the company to add value to the business.

  • Exceptional collaboration skills and ability to effectively work across functions and organization.

  • Independent work style, balancing the need for collaboration with minimal supervision.

  • Demonstrated experience and ability to balance business-partnering skills with employee advocacy.

  • Demonstrated ability to think strategically related to HR business plan implementation.

  • Basic knowledge of employment and labor law.

Preferred Qualifications

  • MBA or Masters in Human Resources or related field.

  • Experience and exposure to a variety of HR facets including organization development, employee relations, talent acquisition, learning & development, and compensation.

  • Project management experience.

  • Experience working in a large, corporate, matrixed environment.

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field or combination of equivalent work experience.


The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA $137,100 to $167,500 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.

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About ESPN:

Working at ESPN is unlike anything else. That’s because we’re always finding new ways to interact with fans – however and wherever they connect with sports. Every day we’re doing things that no one has done, all in a dynamic culture where we defy odds and continuously outdo ourselves. When you have the latest technology, game-changing ideas and world-class talent on your team, every day is extraordinary.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & Intl, which is part of a business we call ESPN.

Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & Intl is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

Having technical issues? View the FAQs for help.

Hiring Process

  • Where Does Your Story Begin?

    Explore Disney Careers and the Life at Disney blog to learn about all the amazing opportunities waiting to be discovered at The Walt Disney Company.

  • Be Part of the Story

    There are many different brands and businesses to explore. Once you've found the opportunity that is right for you, take the next step by completing your application.

  • The Next Chapter

    Once you've applied, you will receive an email allowing you to access your candidate dashboard. Create your login and make sure to check your dashboard often to see your application progress.

Explore this Location Burbank, CA

Billed as the "Media Capital of the World," Burbank boasts more than 1,000 media and entertainment companies, including the main headquarters for The Walt Disney Company.

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