Senior Manager, People & Organization (P&O)

Sony Pictures Animation•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Senior Manager, P&O is the core HR partner for Sony Pictures Animation’s Los Angeles studio. The role ensures that employee fundamentals—including onboarding, benefits, payroll, and employee support—run smoothly, while managing P&O for the overhead team and partnering with production teams. The position requires understanding how animated films are made and shaping people practices to fit production rhythms, including crew ramp-ups, peak periods, and wrap-downs. Sony Pictures Animation is a pre-production animation studio creating feature animation and animated series with artists from around the world. The studio aims to empower filmmakers to lead the creative process and produce bold, innovative visual storytelling. The Senior Manager leads and develops P&O team members, supports employees and leaders across production and overhead teams, and improves processes, systems, and reporting. The role also works with corporate teams, Labor Relations, Compensation, studio leadership, Production, Studio Operations, department heads, and the D&I team.

Requirements

At least 8 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in a people-management role.
Strong knowledge of onboarding, benefits, payroll, and California employment law.
Working knowledge of guild and union environments, including how collective bargaining agreements affect hiring, payroll, and employee relations.
Proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems, such as Workday.
Excellent judgment, discretion, and communication skills.
A service mindset: responsive, approachable, and solution-oriented.
Ability to balance process and compliance with the pace and flexibility creative work demands.
Ability to work respectfully with IATSE representatives and apply agreement terms accurately and consistently.
Comfort managing multiple priorities across productions in different phases.
Interest in animation and filmmaking and a desire to understand how films are made.

Nice To Haves

Experience in media, entertainment, animation, VFX, or another project-based creative environment.
Experience with IATSE.

Responsibilities

Own the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, status changes, offboarding, and records maintenance.
Manage benefits administration, open enrollment, and employee questions.
Resolve payroll issues in partnership with Payroll, Finance, and corporate P&O teams.
Ensure compliance with employment law, Sony policies, and IATSE agreements, including classification, overtime, and benefits eligibility.
Partner with Labor Relations to interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements accurately and consistently.
Coordinate employee leaves, workplace accommodations, and return-to-work transitions with appropriate corporate teams.
Partner with Compensation and studio leadership on promotions and internal equity across production and overhead teams.
Support crew ramp-ups and wrap-downs in partnership with Production, Studio Operations, and department heads.
Help leaders communicate and implement organizational changes and support employees through transitions.
Advise on hiring plans, offers, and workforce planning across productions.
Coach producers, supervisors, and managers on performance, conflict resolution, and team culture.
Handle employee relations matters with discretion and fairness.
Create an inclusive, supportive environment for artists and production staff.
Run engagement efforts, including feedback programs, wellbeing resources, and recognition.
Partner with the D&I team to translate company initiatives into studio programs supporting inclusive leadership, employee engagement, and equitable access to development opportunities.
Support training, career development, and mobility within the studio.
Lead and develop P&O team members.
Improve processes, systems, and reporting, using HR data to inform decisions.