Senior Manager, Live Ticketed Events & Licensed Partnerships

At Disney Theatrical Group (DTG), we strive to foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, collaboration, and creativity. We believe storytelling has the power to uplift, inspire, and reflect the full spectrum of human experience. If you are passionate about creating extraordinary, diverse, and enduring live experiences through theater and immersive events, we invite you to explore this opportunity.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Manager, Live Ticketed Events & Licensed Partnerships to join our team. This role is responsible for managing the development, planning, and execution of live ticketed events and licensed experiences under the DTG and Disney brands. The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of live entertainment production, strong project management skills, and a collaborative mindset to help produce impactful audience experiences around the world.

Reporting to the Director, Live Ticketed Events & Licensed Partnerships, this individual will work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders across Disney Theatrical Group, Disney Entertainment, and other Walt Disney Company lines of business, while also managing relationships with external licensees, producing partners, vendors, and creative teams.

Responsibilities:

Event Strategy & Creative Development

• Lead strategic planning for new and existing live ticketed events, ensuring alignment with brand goals, franchise narratives, and audience expectations.
• Translate creative concepts into executable plans in collaboration with internal creative and production teams, designers, and external partners.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform event concepts and identify new opportunities.

Production & Operational Oversight

• Manage the full lifecycle of licensed events from initial pitch through closing, including timeline development, budgeting, staffing, technical planning, and on-site execution.
• Ensure events meet DTG’s standards for quality, brand integrity, safety, and guest experience.
• Collaborate with Disney security, legal, and risk management teams to secure permits, insurance, and safety compliance.

Partner & Licensee Relations

• Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for licensees and producing partners, providing support and guidance throughout the development and execution process.
• Foster productive relationships with third-party producers, franchise teams, theatrical licensors, and strategic partners to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Negotiate and administer terms of licensing agreements in partnership with DTG’s legal and business affairs teams.

Budgeting & Financial Management

• Build and manage detailed production and operating budgets for individual projects and licensed event portfolios.
• Track expenditures, prepare financial reports, and reconcile final event costs with finance teams.
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiency while maintaining production value.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead cross-functional teams of internal stakeholders and external collaborators through all phases of event planning and execution.
• Mentor junior team members, providing development opportunities and performance feedback.
• Contribute to a culture of transparency, innovation, and problem-solving.

Performance Evaluation & Reporting

• Define and track KPIs to measure event success, including financial performance, attendance, guest satisfaction, and operational excellence.
• Deliver post-event recaps and strategic recommendations for future initiatives.

And, other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications:

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in live event management, theatrical production, immersive entertainment, or related fields, including 3+ years in a leadership capacity.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Theater, Business, Marketing, Arts Administration, or a related field. Master’s degree a plus.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex projects, and navigate matrixed organizations.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; adept at presenting ideas, managing expectations, and building consensus across stakeholders.
• Financial Acumen: Strong skills in budget creation, forecasting, and reconciliation.
• Tools: Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Smartsheet, Asana, Monday.com), Microsoft Office Suite, and presentation tools (Keynote, PowerPoint).
• Creative Thinking: Strong aesthetic sensibility and a passion for storytelling through live experiences.
• Detail-Oriented: Ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a studio or entertainment brand.
• Knowledge of global theatrical licensing and touring markets.
• Familiarity with Disney brand standards and franchise integration processes.
• Ability to create and deliver compelling visual presentations and pitch materials.
• Master’s degree a plus.

The hiring range for this position in New York, NY is $135,700 to $175,500 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.