People and Culture Manager

Flying Bark Productions is a dynamic and innovative animation studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of character animation and storytelling. We are working on exciting projects such as Avatar: The Last Airbender feature film, Netflix's Ghostbusters animated series, and Stranger Things animated series as well as upcoming feature film, Zac Power.

About the role:

Flying Bark Productions is seeking an operationally-focused People & Culture Manager to join our team! In this role, you’ll be a key part of our People & Culture department and will report directly to the Head of People & Culture, based in Sydney, Australia. The People & Culture Manager will play a vital role in managing day-to-day HR operations and ensuring our HR practices align with both business objectives and legal requirements. This position offers the chance to make a meaningful impact across a range of HR functions, including employee relations, recruitment support, benefits, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Employee Relations & Labor Relations: Manage employee relations, including workplace disputes, performance management, and disciplinary action, ensuring compliance with federal and state labor laws and company policies.
• Union Relations (Animation & Editors Guild): Serve as a point of contact for all union-related matters, partnering with the Legal team to support negotiations and compliance with collective bargaining agreements, and maintain positive relationships with the Animation Guild.
• Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Support: Collaborate with the Recruitment team to support recruitment efforts, assist with the hiring process, and provide a smooth candidate experience.
• Benefits & Compensation Administration: Administer employee benefits programs and support compensation processes to ensure competitive and fair practices. Conduct regular benchmarking to maintain alignment with industry standards.
• Employee Engagement: Support employee engagement initiatives, including culture-building activities, learning and development programs, and wellness efforts.
• HR Projects: Collaborate with the Head of People & Culture & Madrid P&C Manager on strategic HR projects, ensuring alignment across all studios (Los Angeles, Sydney, and Madrid) as Flying Bark continues to scale globally.
• HR Compliance & Reporting: Ensure compliance with federal and state labor regulations. Handle HR reporting to provide key insights for business decisions.
• Employee Support & Guidance: Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees on HR policies, fostering a positive, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace culture.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Qualifications: A degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field is required.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years in a senior HR role, with expertise in employee relations and labor relations (union experience required).
• Industry Knowledge: Animation industry experience strongly preferred, with an understanding of the unique dynamics, production structure, and union considerations within the sector.
• Union/Animation Guild Experience: Experience dealing with unions (particularly Local 839 and Local 700) and a deep understanding of collective bargaining agreements is essential.
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across all levels of the organization.
• Organizational Skills: Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Operational Focus: A hands-on approach to HR, with a strong emphasis on executing HR activities and supporting team members.

Why Work with Us?

• We work on some of the coolest projects in the industry! Check out our website: Flying Bark
• We have cake days, a dedicated culture club, and regular studio social events!
• We offer a hybrid working approach, with flexible work-from-home days
• Career development is a priority for us, and we provide ongoing training and support opportunities
• Our employees rave about our inclusive and welcoming culture—everyone is celebrated here!

Flying Bark Productions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary Range: $120K–$145K