Manager, Technical Program Management

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:

Disney Streaming is the driving force behind The Walt Disney Company’s most exciting digital platforms, including Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, and Star+.  Our Media Engineering team ensures our millions of viewers enjoy seamless video playback, stunning artwork, and accurate metadata. We're committed to delivering an unparalleled streaming experience powered by cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions.

This position would involve managing a team of Technical Program Managers that support our larger Media Player Engineering team, which is responsible for building our players across devices and platforms to provide the highest-quality experience for our viewers. 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 technical program and project managers and technical leads outside their area to coordinate schedules and deliverables. 

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

Lead a Dynamic Team of Innovators in Technical Program Management:

• Take charge of a talented team of professionals and contractors, driving innovative technical programs from start to finish—on time, on budget, and always top quality.

• Work closely with fellow program managers to coordinate across multiple tech teams and brands, ensuring seamless project execution and synergy.

• Be both a visionary leader and hands-on problem solver, diving deep into business and technical aspects while shaping overall strategy.

• Understand the architecture and workflows between complex systems across our Media Players and their platforms, bridging the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Own and manage program budgets at the Initiative level, ensuring resources are aligned with strategic goals.

• Lead capacity planning and roadmap creation, ensuring your team is set up for success.

• Communicate with confidence across the organization, from day-to-day operations to presenting updates to C-level executives.

• Foster collaboration across teams, improving cross-functional processes while managing key relationships with peers, customers, and vendors.

• Strengthen the partnership with our engineering, product, and operation teams and increase impact and collaboration.

• Exemplify leadership through teamwork, creative problem-solving, and a passion for excellence—always inspiring others to push boundaries and think big.

• Focus on hiring outstanding employees, growing your team as our business impact grows, and developing strong networks of talented people to pull from.

• You are also a program management powerhouse and may be asked to lead key Initiatives by:

  • Developing timelines and managing external dependencies

  • Ensuring transparency in progress, risks, and issue resolution.

  • Share updates through engaging presentations, emails, and direct conversations, keeping everyone aligned on goals.

  • Make sure everyone knows their role, driving accountability and teamwork toward program success.

  • Track key metrics and keep stakeholders informed, making sure your programs run like clockwork.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8+ years of experience managing large-scale, strategic programs in a well-established global technology organization.

• 3+ years of management experience (having direct reports).

• Proven track record of delivering large-scale, complex projects in a fast-paced environment.

• Extensive experience as a Scrum Master, with a deep understanding of Agile principles and practices.

• Strong technical background and familiarity with quickly understanding complex systems 

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical background in media engineering, video playback technologies, or related domains.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities that rely on data to make effective decisions.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or relevant experience

The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles is $152,200 to $204,100 per year, in New York or Seattle is $159,500 to $213,900 per year and in San Francisco is $166,800 to $223,600 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.