Manager External Affairs

At Disney, we‘re storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world.

Disney’s International Labor Standards (ILS) group seeks to foster safe, inclusive and respectful workplaces wherever Disney-branded products are made. As part of the Company’s Citizenship and supply chain management efforts, ILS manages policy related to labor issues in global supply chains, works with internal and external business partners to realize the Company’s ILS objectives, conducts on-site factory assessments, engages stakeholders, publishes information and data on our progress, funds human rights groups, continually researches best practices in the field, and undertakes a range of projects to promote better working conditions.

The Manager, External Affairs is responsible for overseeing Disney ILS’ efforts to engage stakeholders, implement the Supply Chain Investment Program, communicate progress through the CSR report and other materials, conduct research and risk assessments, support responses to CSR ratings and rankings organizations, and oversee a variety of projects.

The Manager, External Affairs is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Director, External Affairs in Glendale, CA. The Manager oversees a team of three in Glendale and Washington and also coordinates with other corporate teams as well as ILS team members internationally to implement our stakeholder engagement, communications and research functions.

Responsibilities

Grant Management:

Oversee the strategy and execution of the ILS Supply Chain Investment Program to improve labor standards in global supply chains. Source, develop, and recommend programs by third parties (human/labor rights NGOs, international institutions, others) on an annual basis. Secure senior management support. Manage a team of one and coordinate with others to execute grant agreements, manage ongoing programs, and evaluate impact of grants. Develop and maintain company-specific internal and external communications materials in support of the SCIP.

External Stakeholder Engagement:

Proactively identify, engage with and position Disney ILS with key external stakeholders, including government agencies, international institutions, NGOs, industry associations, collaborative initiatives, socially responsible investors, peer companies and others, in order to track priority and emerging human/labor rights issues, to collaborate on solutions, where feasible, and to assist in representing Disney’s ILS efforts in select forums. Identify and prioritize productive relationships, conduct research, plan engagement opportunities, maintain meeting plans and support global colleagues’ efforts in engaging external stakeholders.

Project and Issues Management:

Oversee two staff members on the Research & Projects team who work with internal colleagues to provide dedicated project management support for a range of activities to review policies, programs, processes as well as accommodations to standard practices. Support department in tracking, managing and resolving areas of material interest to Disney, including claims of non-compliant working conditions raised by third parties and prepare issue briefs. Ensure the list of Permitted Sourcing Countries is updated on a bi-annual basis and that the factory list is updated annually. Support business colleagues with the licensee capability assessment.

Staff Management:

Supervise two direct and one indirect reports in two locations. Provide ongoing support, guidance and performance management.

Communications:

Oversee the Research & Projects team’s maintenance of the ILS website. Supervise process for the ILS section of the Citizenship Performance Summary and related disclosures. Manage responses to SRI and similar organizations’ surveys, questionnaires and profiles.

Basic Qualifications

• 8-10 years experience on global labor and human rights issues, with specific experience working with supply chains of consumer product companies
• Experienced in grant making, grant management, contract development and/or complex project management of multi-million dollar budgets
• Experienced in engaging with a wide range of external stakeholders, with demonstrated ability to simultaneously express organization’s point of view and be open to diverse opinions
• Articulate and persuasive with superior verbal and written communications skills
• Experience in writing, editing or evaluating CSR reports and communications, including SRI ratings/rankings and ESG research
• Ability to operate successfully in a remote Disney office while reflecting the values and objectives of Disney ILS
• Ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of complex and evolving relationships and issue areas
• Experience supervising local and remote employees to achieve objectives
• Ability to work fluidly across both geographic and functional boundaries, including experience in an international work environment
• Ability to travel 10-15%

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in or with a labor-focused government agency, intergovernmental institution, SRI, MSI, or comparable ILS department of consumer-facing brand
• Some experience with CSR/sustainability communications desirable
• Multi-lingual desirable

Required Education

• B.A. and M.A. in International Affairs, Public Policy, Business, Political Science, Human Rights or equivalent

Preferred Education

• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 certification desirable

Company Overview

At Corporate, you’ll team with the best in the business to build one of the most innovative global businesses in any industry. Uniquely positioned at the center of an exciting, multi-faceted Company, the forward-thinkers at Disney Corporate constantly pursue new ideas and technologies to help the Company’s many businesses drive value, all the while gaining something valuable from the experience themselves. Come see the most interesting Company from the most interesting point of view.

Additional Information

This position is a legal entity of The Walt Disney Company, an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply

Please visit The Walt Disney Company’s careers website.