Executive Director, Technology Strategy & Operations

Job ID 10109210 Location Burbank, California, United States / Glendale, California, United States Business Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology Date posted Dec. 19, 2024

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Job Summary:

Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

On any given day at Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology, we’re reimagining ways to create magical viewing experiences for the world’s most beloved stories while also transforming Disney’s media business for the future. Whether that’s evolving our streaming and digital products in new and immersive ways, powering worldwide advertising and distribution to maximize flexibility and efficiency, or delivering Disney’s unmatched entertainment and sports content, every day is a moment to make a difference to partners and to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

A few reasons why we think you’d love working for Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

Building the future of Disney’s media business: DE&E Technologists are designing and building the infrastructure that will power Disney’s media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.
Reach & Scale: The products and platforms this group builds and operates delight millions of consumers every minute of every day – from Disney+ and Hulu, to ABC News and Entertainment, to ESPN and ESPN+, and much more.
Innovation: We develop and execute groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and enhance how audiences experience sports, entertainment & news.

The Executive Director, Technology Strategy & Operations, supports the Chief Product & Technology Officer of the Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology organization in driving organizational alignment, key priorities, and partnerships. This role will have a high degree of visibility and responsibility to understand, articulate, and execute key strategic initiatives and projects.

This leader will work directly with the CPTO on defining product and platform strategy, researching competition, incubating new ideas, working with strategic technology partners and working directly with the CPTO on other day-to-day operating activities. They will ensure the broad strategic vision of the CPTO is communicated accurately and effectively throughout the technology organization, within TWDC and outside the company.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role

Support the CPTO with facilitating the execution of organizational priorities through coordination, communications and project management
- Lead and manage strategic projects, working with internal and external stakeholders to drive projects to completion
- Conduct ad-hoc analysis (financial, strategic, operational) and advise the CPTO with concise, specific metrics and recommendations
- Understand priorities and dependencies, as well as short term strategies, lay out project plans and drive consistent strategy articulation
- Provide ongoing status updates, track work-streams and ensure progress is being made and deadlines are met
- Manage the project/strategy/planning/status communications for Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology including design and development of Sr. Executive presentations
- Oversee initiatives related to organization’s culture, including recognition & events, town halls, technology events, and community relations development
- Manage partner relationships and projects (Apple, Twitter, Facebook, Google, Sony, etc.)
- Lead the planning and development of the annual operating plan and long-range plan for technology coordinating with each of the technology leads and finance
- Drive the plans for future communication “events”, and partner with Internal Communications to ensure all communication is delivered on time, accurately and in the tone and messaging that reflects the CPTO
Strategy & Operations
- Lead a mixed business and creative team that partners with the Business Operations organization and CPTO’s direct reports on all reporting and analysis needed across the organization
- Responsible for executive storytelling for strategic initiatives for the sr. leadership team across Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology
- Coordinate presentations and assist as necessary with critical meetings and speaking engagements including meetings with the Board of Directors
- Partner with strategy organizations across Disney Entertainment and ESPN to ensure alignment between the business and technology

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training

Minimum of 12+ years of progressive strategy work experience; preferable in a Technology organization
Ability to influence in the absence of direct control
Demonstrated ability to network extensively and build successful relationships internally and externally at all levels of management
Expert project management skills with a track record of driving results
Highly detail oriented, strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and adjust quickly to shifting priorities and ambiguity
Demonstrated ability to maintain standards of strict confidentiality with respect to all matters and documents to include but not limited to data, conversations, information, etc.
Ability to function effectively in a highly charged executive environment, and the ability to discern when to act independently, while representing the CPTO office
Excellent communication skills in presenting complex information to a variety of audiences
Ability to be self-reliant, self-motivated and resourceful to lead processes that may not be clearly defined and are constantly evolving with an action-oriented mindset
Strong written, presentation and oral communication skills for developing high-level presentations for senior executive audiences
Demonstrated business and technology savviness, confidence and relationship management skills to interface with all levels of the Disney organization
Strong digital communication savviness e.g. social media. Etc.
Demonstrated enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short term and long-term challenges
BA/BS or equivalent experience required

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $246,400 to $330,400 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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About Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology:

Disney Entertainment and ESPN Technology (DE&E Technology) provides the technological backbone and product development for Disney’s two media business units, while helping to keep the company at the vanguard of innovation – enabling the Company to continuously leverage technology to enhance storytelling and creativity, while delivering scalability, flexibility, and efficiency for its businesses.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Disney Streaming Technology LLC, which is part of a business we call Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology.

Disney Streaming Technology LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

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