Executive Director, People & Culture, Australia & New Zealand

Job Posting Title:

Executive Director, People & Culture, Australia & New Zealand

Req ID:

10156849

Job Description:

Wherever you are in the amazing world of Disney, you are contributing to the stories of our iconic brands, recognized by audiences everywhere for entertainment, information and inspiration. Innovation, imagination and inclusion are at the core of Disney, defining the experience that we deliver as well as providing the foundation of our success. The scope of our business, combined with global growth and collaboration, results in an inclusive employee experience characterized by continuous learning, development and achievement.

Overall Purpose of the Role:

The Executive Director, P&C, ANZ is responsible for leading the P&C function and all P&C operations across the Walt Disney Company (TWDC) in Australia and New Zealand. This includes supporting the business in three office locations (Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland) and across all line of business, including Disney Entertainment (including Disney Theatrical Group and any touring Stage Productions), Disney Experiences, ESPN and Corporate functions.

The role is an integral member of the TWDC, ANZ Leadership team, partnering closely with the ANZ LT, including the SVP & Managing Director, ANZ and Head of ESPN/Nat. Geo, APAC.

Key to the role’s success is championing TWDC people agenda (including global, regional and local strategies and tactics) through providing strategic leadership, direction and advice for the ANZ business; effectively leading the local P&C team; and demonstrating a combination of strong business acumen and significant P&C functional knowledge to develop and implement innovative and practical P&C solutions to support the goals and growth objectives of TWDC, ANZ.

Reporting to the SVP, P&C (APAC), the role is part APAC P&C team, a member of the APAC P&C Leadership team and LOB lead for ESPN/Nat Geo across the region. The position works closely with APAC COE and LOB P&C leads and global P&C partners, hence experience working in a highly matrixed environment with excellent communication, organisational savvy and stakeholder management skills, is critically important to the success of the role. The role is also responsible for leading the Facilities function and team across the ANZ business.

Areas of Responsibility (include but not limited to):

• Develop and implement the ANZ P&C strategy, supporting the goals and growth objectives of the TWDC ANZ business (aligning to global and regional TWDC objectives and goals, as required).
• Responsible for cross-LOB initiatives that involve significant complexity and require deep P&CBP and organisational transformation experience, including the ability to consult, coach and influence senior executives, lead complex change management projects and collaboratively partner at all levels, including local/regional/global stakeholders.
• Partner closely with the ANZ Leadership team to develop practical and relevant long-term resourcing and structural plans, identifying and evaluating gaps between ‘current’ and ‘future’ performance and develop business focused solutions to improve company-wide effectiveness.
• Lead and develop a high performing and inclusive P&C team, where P&C team members can demonstrate their best abilities to deliver effective initiatives and optimise people performance, processes, systems, inclusion, engagement and culture across the ANZ business. Encourage diversity of thought, ongoing development of P&C team capabilities and individual talent management. Ensure P&C team members are positioned as credible, proactive and trusted partners across the business.
• In leading the overarching ANZ P&C strategy, oversee the operational delivery of P&C services throughout the employee life-cycle, including (but not limited to): Talent Connection; Talent & Growth; Performance Management; Talent & Succession Planning; Employee Engagement; Compensation & Benefits; Opportunity & Inclusion; Employee and Industrial Relations; HR Administration and GHRO; OHS & Wellbeing; and Payroll.
• Partner closely with the SVP, P&C (APAC), APAC COEs and APAC LOB leads to deploy and implement global and regional P&C strategies and initiatives at a local level. Advise, coach and support local COE team members on the implementation of global/regional projects; maintain collaborative relationships with regional/global partners and share and leverage best practices.
• Lead APAC regional projects and represent APAC-P&C in global working groups, as directed by the SVP, P&C (APAC)
• Build and maintain effective P&C and business stakeholder relationships across Disney Entertainment, Disney Experiences, ESPN and Corporate Client Groups. This includes stakeholders in Disney Theatrical Group (New York) with ‘The Lion King’ currently touring across Australia; and the Disney Studios Australia (DSA) lot, the largest, fully integrated film studio and production facility in the Southern hemisphere, situated in Sydney and occupying a 32-acre site.
• Work with global, regional and local Opportunity & Inclusion leads to develop and implement ANZ diversity and inclusion strategies and initiatives, including active involvement in DE&I ANZ Working Groups (including Pride 365; Pathways to Connection; and Enabled working Groups). Oversee annual Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) reporting and strategies/initiatives to close the gender pay gap.
• Create and execute a lifecycle approach to talent management (in partnership with Talent & Growth leads), focused on forecasting staffing, on-boarding, development, performance management, career/succession planning and talent movement/retention.
• Maintain and implement compelling and engaging compensation and benefits practices (in partnership with regional C&B leads). Work closely with C&B partners on annual merit cycle, with complex global/regional reporting structures.
• Drive talent attraction and engagement across ANZ ensuring Talent Connection COE team members deliver through overseeing effective employer brand marketing campaigns; implementing talent acquisition initiatives to attract diverse talent; improved candidate and line management experience; and effective contingent labour practices.
• Oversee local GHRO team and ensure practices aligned to local needs; coach and advise team members on specific ANZ requirements and projects, including implementation of any new HRIS.
• Coach business leaders on key management issues and P&C policies and processes, including talent planning, learning and development, and performance management to promote engagement and a culture of continuous growth and development.
• Manage the ANZ headcount reporting and Cast Member Relations budget across ANZ, working closely with the Head of Finance, ANZ. Manage headcount reporting processes during AOP and LRP processes and ongoing HC/budget management movements throughout the year, including approval of new hires, reductions in force and position changes.
• Ensure TWDC employment systems, policies and processes are compliant with all local Employment legislation, Awards and laws. Closely monitor employment law changes and updates, working closely with internal (and external) legal partners on policy and process reviews and leader/employee education. Manage Collective Agreement negotiations/processes (specifically for DTG business), as relevant.
• Drive employee engagement through the delivery of effective Cast Member engagement programs, working in close partnership with Internal Communications teams. Lead global, regional and local initiatives, leveraging feedback data from Cast Member surveys as relevant.
• Work closely with the Head of Finance, ANZ, to oversee ANZ Payroll, ensuring Corporate Payroll Tower (and payroll teams based in China/HK) are effectively managing local payrolls in compliance with local legislation and laws and best practice.
• Work closely with Corporate Global Security teams on ANZ Crisis Management Planning and actively participate in ANZ Crisis Management prevention planning and incident management. Provide on the ground crisis management/care team support for TWDC global businesses operating in ANZ.
• Oversee the ANZ Facilities function, delivering a best-in-class workplace experience; partnering closely with Head of Finance on budget considerations. Ensure all legal obligations related to WHS are met and continue to develop safety frameworks.

Areas of Accountability

• Accountable to SVP, HR (APAC); and SVP & MD, ANZ and Head of ESPN/Nat Geo, APAC
• P&C Stakeholders: Regional and Global HR partners across Disney Entertainment, Disney Experiences, ESPN and Corporate
• Australia and New Zealand Cast Member Relations Budget.

Experience and Professional Qualifications Required

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in a managerial/leadership role in a dynamic and matrixed environment
• Direct involvement with, and experience influencing, senior business executives (e.g SVPs/VPs) working as a trusted advisor.
• Track record of successfully implementing and managing best practice HR strategy, processes and systems.
• Previous experience managing multiple client groups and prioritising associated projects in a fast-paced and high volume, complex environment.
• Experience working in multi-national, matrix, progressive commercial organisations.
• Proven experience planning and executing complex change management processes.
• Sound generalist experiences working across all HR disciplines in a strong commercial environment.
• Project management experience, managing multiple projects with strong prioritisation skills.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources/ Employment Relations, or related field (or equivalent experience gained within an international, matrixed organisation).
• Experience working in a Head of People & Culture level-role, highly regarded.
• Master’s Degree in Human Resources/ Employment Relations (or related field), highly regarded

Skills Required:

• Ability to think strategically and translate concepts into actionable items.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to present effectively to executive groups; all staff events; Town Halls etc.
• Ability to position self as credible, proactive, and trusted thought partner and coach with senior executives and stakeholders.
• Flexible working style, balancing the ability to collaborate across matrixed structures and work effectively in teams, whilst being a self-starter, autonomous and able to self-manage with minimal supervision.
• Ability to effectively lead teams and manage complex projects across multiple groups.
• High work ethic, capacity to work under pressure and pace.
• Equally adept at consulting, thinking strategically and executing day-to-day HR operations.
• High level of planning ability

Additional Information:

• Moderate business travel required, inclusive of regular travel to Sydney.
• Flexibility required to manage issues and matters; and liaise with international partners, outside of core business hours.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. We are committed to building a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

Job Posting Segment:

APAC People & Culture

Job Posting Primary Business:

APAC People & Culture Business Partner

Primary Job Posting Category:

HRBP/Generalist

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Richmond, Australia

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-07-24