Executive Director, Software Engineering - Architecture

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.

Job Summary:

As an Executive Director of Software Engineering - Architecture, you will be responsible for the strategic vision, the design and architecture management of the ad platform software engineering and data products. You will collaborate with stakeholders to understand software engineering and data needs and establish architecture standards. You will act as strategic leader and be responsible for working with a talented team of software and data engineers to drive delivery of solutions for our business and technical partners. You will also provide leadership and professional growth with the goal to build our next generation of engineering leaders.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for software engineering and data architecture team.
• Define and implement architectural standards, best practices, and guidelines for both software and data architecture.
• Lead the design and implementation of scalable, secure, and efficient software solutions, as well as robust data architecture solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align software and data architecture with business objectives and technical requirements.
• Drive innovation by evaluating emerging technologies and recommending adoption where appropriate, both in software development and data management.
• Mentor and develop team members in both software engineering and data architecture, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
• Oversee the evaluation and selection of tools, frameworks, and platforms to support both software development and data management efforts.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards related to both software and data architecture, as well as data governance and security.
• Act as a technical evangelist, promoting a culture of excellence and thought leadership within the organization, encompassing both software engineering and data management domains.
• Participate in executive-level discussions and decision-making processes related to technology strategy and investment, providing insights and recommendations for both software and data architecture initiatives.
• Database Design: Design and implement database structures, ensuring scalability, performance, and adherence to industry best practices.
• Data Integration: Develop strategies for seamless data integration across various systems and platforms, promoting interoperability and data consistency.
• Data Security: Establish and enforce data security measures, including access controls, encryption, and compliance with privacy regulations.
• Performance Optimization: Monitor and optimize database performance, addressing issues related to speed, efficiency, and reliability.
• Metadata Management: Oversee the management of metadata, ensuring accurate documentation and understanding of data elements, relationships, and lineage.
• Training and Education: Conduct training sessions for staff on software and data-related tools, best practices, and data governance principles.
• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation for software and data architecture, including data models, schemas, and architecture decisions.

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training:

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, or a related field.
• 12+ years of experience in software engineering and data architecture.
• Strong leadership, communication, and strategic skills.
• Deep understanding of architectural principles and emerging technologies.
• Experience leading large-scale projects and driving technical innovation.

Skills:

• Data Modeling: Proficient in designing and implementing data models, understanding entities, relationships, and normalization.
• Database Management Systems: Strong knowledge of various database systems such as SQL Server, MySQL, or NoSQL databases.
• Expert skills in Snowflake and prior experience with Databricks
• Programming: Familiarity with programming languages like SQL, Python, or Java for database development and scripting.
• Data Integration: Skills in developing strategies for seamless data integration across diverse systems and platforms.
• Data Security: Understanding of data security principles, including access controls, encryption, and compliance with privacy regulations.
• Data Governance: Knowledge of data governance concepts and the ability to contribute to the development and enforcement of data governance policies.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in using relevant tools and technologies for data architecture, modeling, and management.

Training:

• Training or certification in relevant data architecture tools and methodologies.
• Continuous learning to stay updated on emerging technologies and industry best practices.

The hiring range for this position in California is $241,500.00 to $323,900.00 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.