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Senior Manager, Creative Talent Pathways

Job ID 10129961 Location Burbank, California, United States Business The Walt Disney Studios Date posted Oct. 01, 2025
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Job Summary:

The Sr. Manager - Creative Talent Pathways, will manage filmmaker labs and initiatives for emerging directors, producers, and writers in partnership with non-profit organizations and manage relationships and budget for the team’s charitable giving strategy. The successful candidate will possess a broad understanding of the film and entertainment business, the filmmaking process, the creative talent pool, and program administration experience.

Responsibilities:

  • Under the direction of the Director, Creative Talent Pathways, manage and execute strategy for Creative Talent Pathway (CTP) programs and strategic partnerships in alignment with industry trends and company needs.  
  • Manage budgets for external partner programs and strategic partnerships. Track annual giving and provide insight for team budget forecasting.
  • Act as a main point of contact with non-profit artist accelerators to implement partner programs.
  • Construct timelines, milestones, and program curriculum in partnership with creative executive partners, senior leaders, and partner organizations.
  • Construct robust selection committees for all programs with creative executives across the company.  
  • Participate in the selection committee for CTP programs which includes assessing materials and participating in candidate interviews and deliberation sessions.
  • Co-lead bi-weekly/monthly classes w/ third-party leads for external partner programs. Lead Disney-only classes. Prepare speakers in advance, create agendas, and conduct follow-up.
  • Research and share above-the-line industry and studio trends with leadership and stakeholders to inform current and future CTP strategy.  
  • Manage awards submission processes as needed
  • Work with the Creative Talent Pathways Manager to set up general meetings with creative executives and grantees and alumni. Help identify alumni placement opportunities across TWDC.
  • Identify best-in-class filmmaker nonprofits and artist accelerators that aim to increase access and equity within the emerging filmmaker space.   
    • Maintain strong relationships with organizations running emerging filmmaker labs.
    • Read and assess materials of filmmakers coming out of nonprofit partnerships.  
  • Construct rubrics to evaluate candidates and program metrics of success. Adjust rubrics based off industry trends, company needs, and prior program outcomes.  
  • Consistently evaluate all programs for efficacy, adjusting budgets and strategy as needed.  
  • Socialize programs with senior creative executives, facilitating robust engagement between senior leaders at TWDS and key partner organizations.   
  • Act as main point of contact with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Enterprise to manage charitable giving for TWDS. Contribute to strategy, collaborate with third parties to finalize investment plans, execute, attend activations if needed, report out and iterate as necessary.
  • Work in partnership with CSR, Enterprise, and other creative talent pathways teams across Disney Entertainment to ensure alignment on charitable giving across the company.
  • Contribute to execution of strategies and TWDC priorities in strong collaboration with the team.
    • Work in partnership with the Content Advisement team to ensure synergy and collaboration where applicable. 
    • Assist Director, CTP with presentations of broader strategy and individual initiatives for senior leaders across TWDC. 
    • Develop and maintain relationships with: 
      • Creative executives across The Walt Disney Studios 
      • Relevant stakeholders across TWDC including those in other Creative Talent Development teams across Disney Entertainment, Studio Comms, CSR, Legal, and Finance
    • 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).
    • Partner and provide thought partnership with inclusion leads across the company to ensure alignment with enterprise inclusion goals.
  • Support other related special projects and other duties as assigned. 

Basic Qualifications:

  • 7+ years of related work experience as a filmmaker, creative executive, or program administrator/manager of filmmaker labs for writers, directors, and producers through a major studio, tech media company, production company, or leading filmmaker organization/non-profit in the industry.
  • 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 non-profit organizations, filmmaker labs, writers, directors, and other executives.
  • Recognizes creative talent quickly, understands creative talent development and builds long-term relationships.
  • 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:

  • Ability to influence and work through others in a highly matrixed organization.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights and storytelling that influences data-driven decisions.
  • Strategic thinker with superior collaboration, project management, and organizational skills.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to effectively handle confidential information.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience.
  • Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
     


The hiring range for this position in CA is $153,200 to $205,400 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 The Walt Disney Studios:

For over 95 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today it brings quality movies, episodic storytelling, music, and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. The Walt Disney Studios encompasses a collection of respected film studios, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures. It is also home to Disney Theatrical Productions, producer of world-class stage shows.

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 Pictures, which is part of a business we call The Walt Disney Studios.

Walt Disney Pictures 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.

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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.

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