Executive Assistant, Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development

Job ID 10112320 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Feb. 26, 2025

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Job Summary:

About the Role & Team

Walt Disney Imagineering makes the impossible possible, by combining innovation and storytelling to bring Disney stories, characters and worlds to life. Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Its talented Imagineers are responsible for the creation - from concept initiation through installation - of all Disney Resorts, theme parks and attractions, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, and new media projects. Disney Imagineers are dedicated individuals who bring together the best aspects of creativity, innovation, and passion.

At Imagineering Research and Development, our mission is to use technology to build new experiences for our Guests and new tools for Imagineers and the Cast Members who power our parks. R&D is a team of engineers, designers, artists, and scientists who share a passion for solving hard problems and building ground-breaking experiences.

This is an On-Site Full-Time role based in Glendale, CA. Please note that relocation will not be available.

You will report to a Vice President & Executive, Research & Development.

What You Will Do

We’re looking for a proactive, organized, adaptable Executive Assistant to provide exceptional administrative support for two WDI R&D Studio Executives and secondary support for department needs as required. You’d be a key member of a multidisciplinary, high-visibility team developing new tools, technologies, and techniques for Disney's theme parks, attractions, and resorts worldwide.

The successful candidate will operate as the primary point of contact for two WDI R&D Executives with an emphasis on managing and prioritizing extremely busy calendars. You will need to respond quickly and efficiently, anticipating the needs of your executives and always staying one step ahead. You will demonstrate professionalism, initiative, a results-driven mindset, adaptability, accountability for your work, and a strong team-oriented approach.

On any given day, the role may require you to complete many of these tasks, often simultaneously:

Schedule Management & Prioritization

Manage leader calendars including scheduling meetings, responding to meeting requests, and resolving calendar conflicts in line with leader priorities and studio goals
Coordinate with other executive calendars, often across multiple locations and time zones
Proactively prepare leaders for meetings, ensuring adequate travel and preparation time, scheduling any pre-meetings or work sessions, and confirming that all necessary stakeholders are included
Anticipate future needs with regards to scheduling, communication, follow-up and support
Exercise judgment and prioritize complex schedules and tasks accordingly

Travel and Events

Book travel and create detailed itineraries when needed, including complex international trips, event ticketing, and dining reservations
Coordinate travel planning and reservations with other EAs (if multiple executives are traveling together) to ensure everyone has the same information
Manage and reconcile expense reports, invoices, and receipts, in accordance with company policies
Greet and assist visitors for work sessions and special events – including senior executives, strategic partners, and high-profile VIPs – maintaining a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality
Assist as needed with coordination, both on-site and off-site, of workshops, team events, and demos, including internal and external partners, vendors, and collaborators (agendas, catering, travel coordination, and day-of event management)
Assist with general departmental tasks, including ordering snacks and stocking supplies

Collaboration & Communication

Establish positive rapport and strong partnerships with leaders, other assistants, and colleagues
Regularly handle sensitive information in a discrete and confidential manner
Efficiently prioritize and respond to incoming messages and meeting requests across multiple collaboration tools and platforms, ensuring timely communication
Help set up conference rooms for meetings, including basic audiovisual and teleconferencing set up and troubleshooting
Consistently provide and receive feedback from others in a constructive manner to encourage professional growth and foster an environment of trust and a cohesive team
Consistently create and support a friendly, professional atmosphere

Required Qualifications & Skills

5+ years of experience supporting a senior executive in an administrative support role
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task
Proficiency in technology (e.g. Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Zoom) and quick learning of new tools and processes
Superior interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence in both written and verbal communication
Demonstrated experience handling confidential and sensitive information
Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain strong cooperative relationships with subordinates, peers, and supervisors in all relevant functions
Highly adaptable, with the ability to handle shifting priorities and last-minute changes with a calm head and positive attitude
Demonstrated ability to both give and receive constructive feedback
Team player with positive/easy-going manner to handle varied personalities, responsibilities and assignments.
Detailed oriented with the ability to maintain professionalism under pressure
Flexibility to work overtime as needed in urgent situations
Ability to work in a matrixed organization, receiving and prioritizing direction from multiple leaders and stakeholders simultaneously

Preferred Qualifications

Experience within the Walt Disney Company or in a dynamic, fast-paced and demanding environment
Prior experience with office systems and processes (e.g. SAP, Concur, Coupa, and Workday)
Experience managing media files including asset organization, resizing, watermarking, and large-file exchange
Interest in experiential entertainment, immersive experiences, and/or new technologies

Education

A Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent Experience

Additional Information

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

#LI-AK3 #DXMedia

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $64,300 to $86,200 per year based on a 40 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. 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 Walt Disney Imagineering:

Founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises to design and build the world’s first theme park — Disneyland — Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is where imagination and creativity combine with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences. WDI is the creative force that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from its diverse global team of creative and technical professionals, who build on Disney’s legacy of storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment. The Imagineers who practice this unique blend of art and science work in more than 100 disciplines to shepherd an idea all the way from “blue sky” concept phase to opening day.

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 WDI Research & Development, Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.

WDI Research & Development, 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.

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