8+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3+ in a management role.
Strong knowledge of onboarding, benefits, payroll, and California employment law.
Experience in media, entertainment, animation, VFX, or project-based creative environments preferred.
Working knowledge of guild and union environments, particularly IATSE agreements.
Proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems, such as Workday.
Excellent judgment, discretion, and communication skills.
Genuine interest in animation and filmmaking.
Responsibilities
Own the end-to-end employee lifecycle, including onboarding and offboarding.
Manage benefits administration and resolve employee inquiries.
Quickly resolve payroll issues in collaboration with Payroll and Finance teams.
Ensure compliance with employment law and company policies, including IATSE agreements.
Partner with corporate teams on employee leaves and workplace accommodations.
Support production teams with hiring plans and organizational changes.
Coach leaders on performance management and team culture.
Benefits
Inclusive and supportive work environment for artists and production staff.
Engagement initiatives like feedback programs and wellbeing resources.
Partnership with D&I team for meaningful studio programs.
Support for training, career development, and mobility within the studio.
Full Job Description
The Senior Manager, P&O is the core HR partner for the studio. You will make sure the fundamentals run smoothly: onboarding, benefits, payroll, and employee support. In addition to managing P&O for the overhead team, you will also act as a true partner to production, understanding how an animated film gets made and shaping people's practices around that rhythm. Production crews ramp up, peak, and roll off on tight schedules, and you will help them move through those cycles well.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
HR Operations
Own the end-to-end employee lifecycle: onboarding, status changes, offboarding, and records maintenance.
Manage benefits administration, open enrollment, and employee questions.
Resolve payroll issues quickly, working with Payroll, Finance, and corporate P&O teams.
Ensure compliance with employment law, Sony policies, and the various IATSE agreements, including correct classification, overtime, and benefits eligibility.
The ability to navigate a union environment, partnering with Labor Relations to interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements accurately and consistently.
Partner with the appropriate corporate teams to coordinate employee leaves, workplace accommodations, and return-to-work transitions.
Partner with Compensation and studio leadership on promotions, and internal equity, ensuring consistency across production and overhead teams.
Production and Creative Partnership
Partner with Production, Studio Operations, and department heads to support crew ramp-ups and wrap-downs. Help leaders communicate and implement organizational changes, supporting 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.
Culture and Employee Experience
Create an inclusive, supportive environment where artists and production staff can do their best work.
Run engagement efforts, such as feedback programs, wellbeing resources, and recognition.
Partner with the D&I team to translate company initiatives into meaningful studio programs, supporting inclusive leadership, employee engagement, and equitable access to development opportunities.
Support training, career development, and mobility within the studio.
Team Leadership
Lead and develop P&O team members.
Improve processes, systems, and reporting, using HR data to inform decisions.
QUALIFICATIONS:
8+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3+ in a people-management role.
Strong knowledge of onboarding, benefits, payroll, and California employment law.
Experience in media, entertainment, animation, VFX, or another project-based creative environment preferred.
Working knowledge of guild and union environments, including how collective bargaining agreements affect hiring, payroll, and employee relations. Experience with IATSE is a plus.
Proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems (e.g., Workday).
Excellent judgment, discretion, and communication skills.
A real interest in animation and filmmaking, and a desire to understand how films get made.
A service mindset: responsive, approachable, and solution-oriented.
The ability to balance process and compliance with the pace and flexibility creative work demands.
The ability to work respectfully with IATSE representatives and apply agreement terms accurately and consistently.
Comfort managing multiple priorities across productions in different phases.
The anticipated base salary for this position is $151,800-$189,000. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors.
About Sony Pictures Imageworks
Sony Pictures Imageworks is a visual effects and animation studio based in Culver City, California. The company provides digital animation and visual effects services for feature films, television, and advertising. Sony Pictures Imageworks has worked on several high-profile projects including Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Hotel Transylvania, and The Angry Birds Movie. The company has won several awards for its work, including Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Animated Feature. Sony Pictures Imageworks is a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
