Director, Research and Development

Job ID 10104840 Location Burbank, California, United States / Orlando, Florida, United States Business The Walt Disney Company (Corporate) Date posted Nov. 13, 2024

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Job Summary:

In this role, you will lead at the forefront of technology and innovation and influence our technology strategy. If you are a visionary leader, with their finger on the pulse of the technology industry, passionate about inspiring others and driving innovation, we invite you to apply and help shape the future of our Enterprise Technology team.

Job Summary

As the Director of Research and Development you will lead a skilled team of architects and engineers within the Enterprise Technology Architectures & Standards team. This role is crucial for enhancing our long range planning by Identify emerging technologies and trends early in their lifecycle, assessing them, and determining their strategic fit. Your leadership will ensure that we have a strong innovation culture within Enterprise Technology and that emerging technologies are well understood by technology and business leaders.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Planning:
- Build & direct the innovation team, ensuring strategic alignment with business and technology goals. Develop a roadmap for the establishment and ongoing maturation of innovation processes, ensuring that they continue to deliver to the needs of Enterprise Technology.

Emerging Technology Identification and Evaluation
- Publish and maintain an ongoing series of Emerging Technology Radars that identify emerging technologies and trends related to our products and services, determine alignment with our strategic goals, and potential benefits.
- Further evaluate the feasibility and value of the most relevant emerging technologies through experiments, prototyping, and proof of value.

Foster Cross-Functional Innovation Culture
- Cultivate a culture of innovation and ongoing technical self-development within Enterprise Technology by running cross-functional Hackathons, Design Thinking sessions, Demo Days, and knowledge sharing from external though leaders.
- Establish relationships with vendors and external bodies around technical innovation / open source / etc.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Work closely with other Enterprise Technology engineering leaders and product managers to understand their strategies and identify opportunities for alignment of emerging technologies within their roadmaps
- Collaborate with other innovation teams within Corporate and other Disney segments to replicate best practices and leverage relationships

Stakeholder Communication and Awareness
- Maintain regular communication with senior management and other stakeholders, providing updates on ongoing effectiveness and performance of the innovation department.
- Continuously educate and make senior leadership with Enterprise Technology and the other Corporate Functions aware of emerging technologies and industry trends and their applicability.

Skills/Experience

Proven Technical Leadership: At least 12+ years of experience in software, systems, or data engineering or architecture, with significant experience leading technical teams.

Strategic and Analytical Thinking: Ability to devise strategic plans for technology integration that align with business goals. Proficient in problem-solving and analytical thinking to overcome challenges.
Adaptability and Vision: Capability to adapt to changing technology landscapes and foresee how to leverage technology in new ways to benefit the company.
Communication and Motivation: Able to communicate to all levels of the organization, both technologists and business folks, provide thought leadership and inspire others to embrace a vision of the future.

Preferred Qualifications

Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.

#DISNEYTECH

The hiring range for this position in California is $202,900 - $272,100 per year and in Washington is $212,600 - $285,100 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 The Walt Disney Company (Corporate):

At Disney Corporate you can see how the businesses behind the Company’s powerful brands come together to create the most innovative, far-reaching and admired entertainment company in the world. As a member of a corporate team, you’ll work with world-class leaders driving the strategies that keep The Walt Disney Company at the leading edge of entertainment. See and be seen by other innovative thinkers as you enable the greatest storytellers in the world to create memories for millions of families around the globe.

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 Worldwide Services, Inc., which is part of a business we call The Walt Disney Company (Corporate).

Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. 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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Explore this Location Burbank, CA

Billed as the "Media Capital of the World," Burbank boasts more than 1,000 media and entertainment companies, including the main headquarters for The Walt Disney Company.