Head of People

About the Role

Big Shot Pictures is looking for an HR Director who understands what makes a creative organization tick — someone who has sat inside a studio (Disney, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, or a comparable animation/entertainment/ gaming company) and knows firsthand how to build people programs that serve artists, creatives, and business teams alike. This position for someone who has already navigated the specific rhythms of production cycles, crewing, and creative career paths, and who can now shape people strategy at the company level.

People Strategy & Culture

• Build and evolve a people strategy that balances the needs of creative/production teams with corporate and business affairs functions
• Champion a culture that supports artistic risk-taking and craft while maintaining accountability and business rigor
• Act as a trusted advisor to studio and creative leads on team dynamics, org health, and change management

Talent Acquisition & Development (Creative Focus)

• Lead recruiting strategy for artists, animators, creative directors, and other below-the-line and above-the-line creative talent, in partnership with hiring leads and recruiters
• Build talent pipelines and relationships within the animation and broader entertainment community
• Design career development pathways specific to creative disciplines, where growth doesn't always look like traditional management tracks
• Partner with creative leadership on crewing strategy, staffing plans, and succession planning for key creative roles

Core HR Operations

• Own leveling frameworks and job architecture across creative and corporate functions
• Lead compensation planning cycles, including incentive structures, bonus programs, and promotion processes
• Design and run performance management and feedback systems that work for both creative and business teams
• Manage employee relations issues with sound judgment and appropriate legal awareness
• Partner with legal/business affairs on HR-adjacent matters (contracts, loan-outs, guild considerations where applicable)

HR Compliance & Benefits Fluency

• Maintain strong working knowledge of employment law, wage and hour regulations, and HR compliance requirements across relevant jurisdictions
• Understand benefits design and strategy well enough to guide decisions and partner effectively with brokers/vendors or an internal benefits administrator — direct administration is not required
• Ensure HR policies and practices are legally sound and appropriately documented

What You Bring

• 8+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, with meaningful time spent at an animation studio, gaming company or comparable entertainment/creative company (e.g., Disney, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, or similar)
• Direct experience recruiting and developing artistic/creative talent, not just corporate hires
• Strong command of core HR fundamentals: leveling, compensation and incentive design, promotions, performance management
• Working knowledge of employment law and HR compliance; benefits literacy without requiring hands-on administration experience
• A track record of operating as a strategic partner to leadership, not just an operational HR function
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and the ability to navigate sensitive situations across both creative and business populations
• Genuine appreciation for the creative process and what it takes to support the people who make animated content