Job Summary:

This person will work remotely in Southern California but will need to come in regularly to meet and work with their fellow employees.

Would you like to be part of a team that collaborates to create the most inclusive content and stories in the movie industry? As the RISE (Representation & Inclusion Strategies) Launchpad Coordinator, you will be part of a groundbreaking team dedicated to identifying, supporting, and empowering the next generation of Disney Filmmakers.

The Walt Disney Studios seeks a RISE Launchpad Coordinator to work with the Disney Launchpad Team and the Director of Creative Talent Pathways. The RISE team is a highly visible department that plays an integral part in key business decisions across the Studio organization and the company.

As a RISE Launchpad Coordinator, you will be part of a groundbreaking team that produces the critically acclaimed Disney Launchpad shorts, an opportunity for underrepresented filmmakers to produce an original, scripted, live-action short, produced by Walt Disney Pictures, and will support the Director, Creative Talent Pathways, on their projects.

The RISE Launchpad Coordinator will report to the Launchpad Sr. Manager, work daily with the Launchpad Manager, and work with the Director, Creative Talent Pathways. The Coordinator will provide project management leadership and support to the Studio’s seminal inclusion initiative. A successful candidate will possess a broad understanding of the film and entertainment business, the filmmaking process, the creative talent pool, and have strong program administration experience and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Every day on the RISE Launchpad team is unique. On any given day you might:

• Plan events with industry filmmakers or business leaders (managing all logistics and event coordination, including A/V, Zoom or VTCs)
• Support the Launchpad Incubator selection process:
  • Review applications for the Shorts Incubator and manage screeners
  • Support the Launchpad Manager and Sr. Manager to distribute applications to screeners
  • Work with HR on screener start paperwork
  • Answer questions from screeners to troubleshoot process
  • Organize interviews for the finalists and support the finalist selection process
  • Support runner ups by strategizing resources and information
• Liaise with the American Film Institute (AFI) to project manage +20 classes for Launchpad, including two weeknight classes over five months, up to two special Saturday field trips at the AFI campus, and two special events. Attendance and management of these events is an integral part of this job and will include organizing classes and events across different departments at Disney. Teams will include A/V, projection, events, craft services, catering, creative services, signage, third-party vendors, guest speakers, and students.
• Plan large-scale events, projects, business trips as part of Disney Launchpad.
• Support Launchpad Manager and Sr. Manager with program operations.
• Maintain shared Box drive organization and make sure all key documents and communications are saved.
• Recruit for the next season of Launchpad by scouting talent and actively pitching the program to them.
• Aid in filmmaker advocacy across the company.
• 20% of the role will be to provide administrative support (i.e., scheduling) and project management support to the Director of Creative Talent Pathways.
• Work closely with the Director, Creative Talent Pathways on select projects, including:
  • Above-the-line pathway programs to give access and opportunity to underrepresented filmmakers

• Build strong relationships across our company, studios, and brands: Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS), Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, DTG (Disney Theatre Group aka live theatre, musicals on ice), 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures.

Basic Qualifications

Please apply if you have:

• 1-3 years’ experience in an administrative/coordinator role
• Enthusiasm for event planning and management
• Experience in film and television production
• Passion for and experience with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• A proactive and resourceful attitude
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• Must be able to work onsite or at offsite events on evenings, weekends and holidays based on business needs
• Proven ability to support initiatives that require broad-based buy-in for success
• Strategic thinker with superior collaboration skills

Additional Qualifications

It would be great if you are familiar with:

• Experience in the creative process and strong script development skills.
• Experience in event planning at Disney, Learning, HR or Diversity & Inclusion.
• Experience in the entertainment industry (i.e. film festivals, theatrical distribution, etc.)
• Experience with workflow management systems like Asana, Box, Slack and Monday.

Education: A BA or BS in a four-year accredited college or university or relevant experience