Production Manager at ESPN

Management Operations partners with nearly every division of ESPN and many across The Walt Disney Company to ensure ESPN’s Content business is operating at the highest level of efficiency and productivity. Content leaders focus their efforts on the fan while this team focuses on the personnel and business management aspects of how content comes to life. Together, this team consistently maximizes resources for the greatest impact on our content and bottom line.

A Production Manager will manage the day-to-day workforce planning and business operations of ESPN’s Content division. Overseeing the scheduling of resources, vendor & contract management, and legal & policy adherence will all be job functions this role carries out. This role will also oversee others, find and create efficiencies in processes and workflows and interact with all types of content and leaders across our organization.

Responsibilities

• Manages direct reports as assigned. Provides objective feedback and coaching on performance and shares feedback as required; participates in the growth and development of assigned personnel.
• Manages personnel and business operations for aspects of ESPN’s Content division, including management of internal and external workforce.
• Develops systematic processes of engaging resources (Ex. event temporary workers, non-contractual talent, vendor engagement/payment); educates and advises others on subject.  
• Manages resource allocation process to ensure compliance with business needs, contractual, company, legal or other limits, guidelines, policies, and protocols.
• Track and analyze data to find efficiencies, identify trends, ensure compliance, and inform stakeholders; recommend processes/policies/courses of action.
• Evaluates and analyzes content and business scenarios and oversees development of plans that support business initiatives while adhering to resource and financial limits and departmental/company processes and protocols.  
• Develops and maintains extensive knowledge of the business processes, workforce guidelines and resource planning required across content areas.
• Fluent in and advisor for the policies and processes that guide work (Ex. T&E Policy, workforce classifications, time entry, hiring policies). Manages the education and training of others on policies and processes and champions adherence. Periodically reviews, recommends, develops and modifies policies and processes to ensure maximum efficiency and compliance.
• Partners with and functions as a liaison for various departments (Ex. Production, Operations, HR, Legal, outside entities, etc.) or leaders. Conducts meetings with stakeholders; represents a neutral party in discussions.
• Manages the development, enhancement, and implementation of technology tools, workflows, and systematic processes.
• Develops and conducts training of personnel on departmental processes and procedures. 
• Ensures alignment, accuracy, and timeliness of the team’s and own work.
• Responsible for managing complex, time-sensitive and confidential materials, decisions, and information (Ex. budgets, fees, performance).
• Daily tasks can include:
  • Oversees management of Content personnel (Ex. contribute and deliver feedback, handle other personnel matters as needed, ensure compliance with hiring practices).
  • Manages Coordinators who process hiring requisitions; troubleshoot and resolve challenges with hiring systems and processes.  
  • Manages talent contract entry process to ensure accuracy; analyze and report on talent contract usage and payments.
  • Manages employees who approve and reject timecards and/or expense reports according to Disney timekeeping, travel, and expense policy.
  • Reviews creation of new vendors in the Disney vendor portal to ensure compliance.   
  • Manages individuals who process payments for various types of resources & functions.
  • Manages the process of sourcing, engaging, hiring, and/or scheduling resources.
• Remains accessible and is often required to work non-traditional days/hours.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of management, business, personnel, production, logistical, and/or operations experience in a large market or at the network level.
• Strong interpersonal and managerial skills (Ex. demonstrated ability to provide feedback, guide others, grow and develop teams, manage projects).
• Advanced organizational skills of self and others (Ex. budgeting time, prioritizing workload, accuracy and attention to detail in all tasks, ability to implement systematic processes and organize information flow).
• Excellent communication skills (Ex. clear and concise in all forms of communication, ability to manage high-volume email, phone traffic and in-person interactions, leading group discussions).
• Advanced ability to take initiative and perform independently with minimal guidance from management (Ex. ability to recognize when an issue is present and lead a team through rectifying solutions).
• Ability to react quickly and positively to a wide variety of sensitive production and personnel situations that arise and are subject to continual change.
• Advanced experience with/knowledge of various aspects of resource management and business operations (Ex. budgeting, contracts, invoicing, creating/disseminating information, resource allocation, staffing, hiring).
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office programs & platforms (Ex. Office 365, Outlook, Excel, Word, OneNote, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams), Smartsheet or similar programs, Zoom or similar programs.
• Demonstrated passion and commitment to diversity and inclusion including inviting diverse perspectives, fostering an inclusive work environment, and supporting workforce diversity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledgeable about the sports content landscape. 
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the production of studio shows, remote events, digital, and/or packaged content. 
• Advanced understanding of the mechanics of reporting and analytics of resources and data; ability to identify and communicate complex trends & metrics.
• Advanced analytical and technical critical thinking/problem solving skills. 
• Advanced experience understanding the needs of stakeholders, developing and delivering value to them.
• Advanced financial/budgetary management experience.
• Advanced knowledge of the following systems/tools: Slack, Concur, Kronos, SAP, and business intelligence tools like MicroStrategy. 

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent years of experience from Vocational School, or in Production, Journalism, Business, or related field.

Preferred Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent

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