Nicole Dial

Work History

• 

  Associate Manager, School Relations

  Walt Disney Animation Studios

  January 2022 - Present

  I strive to humanize the face of recruitment and outreach for our studio. In my current role, I inspire the next gen and early career set, and those from underestimated backgrounds, to see themselves in niche fields within the computer graphics, animation and visual effects industries. Through purposeful and intentful strategic activations, I cultivate long-term relationships with the creative and technical talent marketplace, its curricula and academic connections.
  
  - Lead development and execution of global university relations strategy, transform program infrastructure to include dual modalities of engagement to maximize reach.
  - Direct management & facilitation of our event slate.
  - Spearhead new use cases of enterprise-level software and explore best practices to enhance employer branding and prospective talent engagement by showcasing our most distinctive storytelling capabilities, our people!
  - Proposed, created, and executed new initiative, Walt Disney Animation Studios Student Summit, highlighted in company’s external communications (Reimagine Tomorrow, 2020).
  - Collaborate with cross-studios partners (Pixar, ILM, Lucasfilm, TWDS, DTVA) on alignment of core industry outreach & partner where appropriate (SIGGRAPH, Lightbox Expo, CTN).
  - Partner with corporate talent acquisition outreach & engagement team to support enterprise-wide technology recruitment efforts.
  - Directed implementation of Zoom Events for virtual Walt Disney Animation Studios Inspire Day, thus increasing attendance 438% compared to 2019.
  - Managed DirectMail for educator and student org engagement, expanded mailing list threefold over four years, consistently yield a 65% open rate. For 2023 production internship sourcing for six types of specialized roles, email ranked in the top 5 self-reported source field of our applicant pool.
  - Accelerated interdepartmental communication and collaboration by partnering with peers to deploy Airtable for project management.
• 

  School Relations & Talent Development

  Walt Disney Animation Studios

  June 2017 - Present

  Burbank, CA
• 

  Recruiter (maternity coverage)

  Walt Disney Animation Studios

  October 2021 - January 2022

  Jumping back into the recruiter space to provide interim support to the General Technical Directors. This is in addition to driving global school relations and academic partnerships on behalf of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
• 

  University Relations Representative

  DreamWorks Animation

  July 2015 - January 2017

  As a University Relations Representative, I’m in a forward-facing role representing the studio during on-campus recruiting events, portfolio reviews, and conferences. Day-to-day activities include cultivating relationships with colleges & universities, partnering with strategic school programs, and developing emerging artistic & technical talent.
  
  I'm actively involved in the following partnerships:
  • DreamCrits, a virtual portfolio review with 6 Cal State schools, reaching an audience of 200 students per monthly session
  • Industry Courses with Clemson University's DPA program, Texas A&M’s VizLab, Savannah College of Art & Design’s Visual Effects department
  
  
• 

  Administrative Assistant to Production Executives

  DreamWorks Animation

  September 2013 - July 2015

  Excellent administrator for Feature Animation Production Executives. My role is part traffic director and part ambassador. High call volumes; heavy scheduling (a.k.a. calendar Tetris); & a side of event planning. Plays well with others. Does not run with scissors.

• Producer

  wonders

  August 2011 - February 2013

  Los Angeles
• 

  Production Studio Manager

  Soapbox Films

  May 2009 - July 2011

  - Managed vendors and contractors to build a production office & soundstage in collaboration with Executive Producer, VP, and Creative Director.
  - Live-action production to theatrical marketing campaigns and full range post-production for feature films.
  - Point person for facilities upgrades at 10K square foot soundstage and 5K square foot production office.
  - Coordinate year-round internship program and mentor 15 interns over 3 years.
  
• 

  Operations Manager

  Soapbox Films

  December 2007 - July 2011

• Video Production Manager

  WIN Multimedia

  November 2005 - November 2007

  Tallahassee, FL

  Corporate video production company specializing in continuing education; public service & outreach; and community development for professional organizations and Fortune 500 companies.
  My focus was production management -- from careful planning & pre-production for in-studio and on-location tapings, all the way to developing the post-production work-flows and fulfilling deadlines.
  I also assisted in the hiring & training of new employees in addition to maintaining an active internship program.