Manager, Technical Program Management

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.

Business Operations is the glue of DE&E Technology, with a relentless focus on connecting all the pieces of the business. All the components that make up the organization – engineering, product, design, operations, support and more – come together and move the business forward with oversight, effective prioritization, and guidance. This team synthesizes information from across the business to ensure leaders are armed with all the necessary data before making strategic and financial decisions. From forecasting, funding, tracking, and reporting on projects, to ways of working, and resource management, Business Operations has visibility and input into all aspects of the team. 

The Global Program Management team for Data Platforms is focused on driving delivery for DE&E Technology’s Data Product and Engineering. This also includes programming systems, distribution of digital and linear networks worldwide, and much more. The department supports a diverse set of Disney brands across streaming and digital, including Disney+, Hulu, ABC and ESPN.

This position requires proven experience managing a team of professional employees and in program management. Ideal candidates must be highly proactive, detail-oriented, and work on multiple assignments that may span the department autonomously. They must be capable of clearly communicating schedules, risks, status, and processes to various business and technical audiences. They must partner with program and project managers and technical leads outside their area to coordinate schedules and deliverables.

Responsibilities:

● Manages a team(s) of professional staff and contractors

● Accountable for the performance and results of a team in conducting technical projects or programs on time, within budget, and of the highest level of quality

● Collaborate with other program management colleagues to coordinate dependencies and activities across multiple technology teams

● Lead not only at the strategic level, but also day-to-day by diving deeply into business and technical domains

● Understands architecture between systems across multiple domains. Able to speak to the overall workflow between these systems.

● Manages program portfolio level budget

● Drive capacity planning for direct reports and roadmaps

● Communicate effectively and independently across the organization at the executive level and outside the organization

● Interact with direct reports and peers in management / customers / vendors to share information and improve cross-departmental processes

● Independently manage activities and resolve conflict within associated teams

● Exemplify leadership characteristics through collaboration, work ethic, and creative thinking. Strive to inspire others and deliver the best possible outputs

● May drive activities for strategic technical programs, including:

 ○ Develop appropriate plans and timelines

 ○ Manage dependencies

 ○ Ensure transparency of progress and issues/risks. Proactively drive risk mitigation and     contingency planning, along with issue resolution.

 ○ Communicate status, updates, and program summaries via presentations, email, and direct communication with key stakeholders and executive leadership

 ○ Ensure that all involved parties understand and accept their roles and responsibilities

 ○ Track and report key program metrics, informing stakeholders as appropriate

● Coordinate with external vendors, where applicable

Basic Qualifications

● 8+ years of experience managing large-scale, strategic programs in a well-established global technology organization, preferably with a focus on data architecture, business intelligence, relational databases or big-data technology

● 3+ years of management experience (having direct reports)

● Capable of managing, tracking, and troubleshooting multiple initiatives in a deadline-driven environment with cross-functional teams, vendors, and partners

● Proven ability to facilitate effective communication across disparate teams

● Evidence of solid planning, delivery, and problem-solving skills

● Superb written and verbal communications, presentation skills, and meeting facilitation skills (especially when working with senior leadership)

● BA/BS or equivalent experience required

Preferred Qualifications

● Previous Data Platform Engineering domain knowledge

● Formal project management certifications

● Software delivery management tools expertise (Jira, Confluence, AirTable, Git Hub/Lab)

#Disney Tech

The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles, California and Seattle, Washington is $149,300 - $200,200 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.