Manager, Employee Relations (Project Hire)

Job ID 10126291 Location Burbank, California, United States / Bristol, Connecticut, United States / New York, New York, United States Business ESPN Date posted Aug. 12, 2025

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Job Summary:

Note: This role is a 6 month Project Hire position.

This key role is responsible for leading and managing employee relations matters according to established guidelines and best practices. The Manager, ER will demonstrate their ER expertise in areas including conducting investigations involving workplace conduct concerns (including allegations of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation), advising on complex ER issues, interpreting policies and practices, and responding to government agency claims. This role requires a sophisticated and innovative ER professional, who is proactive, analytical, strategic, and solution oriented. This role also requires in-depth knowledge of the workplace investigation process, including excellent judgment and strong writing skills.

Responsibilities:

Independently conduct timely, thorough, and effective investigations.
Prepare written investigation reports and present findings to stakeholders.
Respond to government agency requests and charges.
Support the performance management process through consultation, coaching, and preparation of written warnings and performance improvement plans.
Support reduction in workforce efforts in partnership with HR Business Partners (HRBP) and Legal.
Advise on complex leave of absence scenarios.
Support employees and the business through the accommodation process.
Develop and lead ER-related training for various stakeholders, including business leaders and HR partners.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date case notes in the ER database.
Understand, analyze, and interpret key insights gleaned from case trends and analytics for business leaders and HR partners.
Develop and build strong relationships and partnerships with HRBP, Legal, Labor Relations, Security, Management Audit and Advisory and Assurance and other partners to help establish ER department presence.
Oversee and facilitate employee in-person in-house compliance and other ER-related trainings.

Basic Qualifications :

Minimum of 5 years Human Resources experience, 4 years in Employee Relations, or 3 years in employment legal practice or other similar investigative experience required.
In depth understanding of all aspects of employment and HR-related laws, regulations, policies, principles, concepts and practices, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA and FMLA.
Outstanding active listening skills, proven consultative capabilities, the ability to quickly build rapport with others, and the ability to assess sensitive and complex employee relations issues in a confidential, objective, and systematic manner.
Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Demonstrated strong written/verbal communication skills and facilitation/presentation skills.
Demonstrated consultative, credibility assessment and investigative skills.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, to lead and influence at all levels within the organization and make decisions while keeping all partners and leaders informed.
Ability to manage multiple projects with strong time management and prioritization skills.
Excellent writing, grammar, and punctuation skills.
First-rate emotional intelligence capabilities.

Required Education :

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education :

JD strongly preferred.

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, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

The Walt Disney Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $137,100.00 - $167,500.00 per year and in New York, NY is $143,600.00 - $175,400.00 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 ESPN Productions, Inc, which is part of a business we call ESPN.

ESPN Productions, Inc 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

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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.