Manager, Creative Talent Pathways

The Manager, Creative Talent Pathways will support labs and initiatives for emerging filmmakers and manage/track filmmaker alumni placement into connections and opportunities across The Walt Disney Company. A successful candidate is a strong networker and will possess a broad understanding of the film and entertainment business, the filmmaking process, the creative talent pool, mandates and needs across the business, and have strong program management experience and organizational skills.

Responsibilities:

• Support overall Creative Talent Pathway programs and strategy as needed:
  • Participate in the selection committee for CTP programs which may include assessing materials and participating in candidate interviews and deliberation sessions.
  • Execute on CTP program deliverables as assigned.
  • In partnership with the Executive Assistant, support administrative and logistical tasks including (but not limited to): event planning, note-taking, budget tracking, and scheduling.

• Manage and execute filmmaker alumni placement into opportunities across TWDC and externally:
  • Facilitate connections between creative talent pathways fellows/alumni and relevant executives, producers, and creative teams within TWDC to encourage collaboration, project development, and potential future opportunities across various platforms and divisions.
  • Facilitate connections between creative talent pathways fellows/alumni and external organizations, creative teams, and other external stakeholders to encourage career development.
  • Hold ongoing meetings with current creative talent pathways program fellows and alumni to maintain accurate bios, areas of interest, and expertise of filmmakers. 
  • Assess materials from fellows and alumni to provide insights and contribute to strategy on opportunities within and outside of Disney Entertainment. Provide thoughtful feedback and creative notes on alumni projects (when requested). 
  • Work in partnership with other Disney Entertainment creative talent development teams to identify opportunities for CTP alumni.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with junior creative executives across Disney Entertainment to understand mandates and socialize the programs and work of Creative Talent Pathways across TWDC.
  • Develop connections with financiers, production companies in business with TWDC (pods), talent, etc to assist in packaging for alumni projects. 
  • Maintain strong external relationships with organizations who run filmmaker labs and develop talent.
  • Assist in meeting preparation for current fellows and program alumni prior to pitches and general meetings.  
  • Develop, manage, and execute networking events/opportunities for fellows/alumni and internal TWDS creative teams.

• Oversee maintenance of talent trackers and data organization for all CTP programs, deliverables, and fellows/alumni:
  • Manage and maintain an organized, up-to-date database of current and past program participants (which includes writers, directors, producers, performers, and crew members) to track their career progress and identify emerging opportunities within TWDC.
  • Maintain database with up-to-date information on credits, contact information, bios, tracking general meetings, pitches, and potential projects in process across Disney Entertainment.
  • Maintain a separate tracker of semi-finalists, finalists, and other key talent.
  • Research and assess technology solutions for database/tracking management.
  • Maintain database of current, up-to-date mandate information across studio banners including open writing and directing assignments. Responsible for spearheading strategic placements based on mandate information.  
  • Manage tracking of CTP program deliverables and report out progress on key performance indicators.

• Support execution of strategies and TWDC priorities with strong collaboration with the team.
  • Work in partnership with the Content Advisement team to ensure synergy and collaboration where applicable. 
  • Assist Director and Sr. Manager, CTP with presentations of broader strategy and individual initiatives for senior leaders across TWDC. 
  • Attend industry events, film festivals, conferences, meetings at Disney offices, etc. and travel as needed. Network, build new relationships, and represent (sometimes on evenings and weekends based on availability).
• Support other related special projects and other duties as assigned. 
   

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of related work experience.
• Strong relationship-building, networking, and communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Experience in project management and maintaining talent/tracking databases.
• Strong computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Keynote, Box, and database programs such as Monday.com or AirTable.
• Detail oriented with the ability to work well and maintain professionalism under pressure.
• Positive attitude and the ability to be proactive, resourceful and flexible. 
• Strong people skills, including the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to take initiative and work with limited direction.
• This position is based in the Burbank office 4 days a week (Monday through Thursday) with the flexibility to work from home on Fridays.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience as a filmmaker and/or at a talent/management agency is a plus.
• Keen understanding of the creative process with strong creative development skills from an artist-first standpoint.
• Strong understanding of the creative talent development landscape across the industry as well as having a robust external network of writers, directors, agents, managers, and network executives.
• Recognizes creative talent quickly and how to match them with opportunities, understands creative talent development, and builds long-term relationships.

The hiring range for this position in CA is $124,900 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.