New Experience Development Executive

Company: Walt Disney Imagineering
Location: Glendale
Posted on: May 13, 2022

Job Description:

Walt Disney Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products business segment. Representing more than 150 disciplines, its talented corps of Imagineers are responsible for the creation of Disney resorts, theme parks and attractions, hotels, water parks, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, cruise ships and new media technology projects worldwide which includes other Disney Intellectual Property such as Marvel, Pixar and Lucasfilm.

Innovation is at the center of everything we do at WDI, and nothing reflects that more than our work environment. We celebrate collaborative thinking and promote cross-disciplinary partnerships to foster a culture of diversity and creativity.

Our vision is to expand the capabilities of Imagineering into new product categories and industry-leading innovations that will define the future of entertainment.

The New Experience Development Executive is a leadership role within Walt Disney Imagineering charged with expanding Disney reach and growth by developing innovative experiences for new markets and new consumer segments. This experienced executive brings equal parts creative visionary, product strategist, brand expert and process pioneer. Our mission is to invent new ways of working, exploring and inventing with creativity at the core of all we do. This leader harnesses that mission and their well-honed skills to combine our incredible wealth of stories and brand strengths into new experiential categories that span physical and virtual realms. This individual is a master relationship manager who will build and leverage a network spanning project and creative executives, business and investment partners and stakeholders across and beyond The Walt Disney Company. This leader thrives in an entrepreneurial, fast-advancing environment, where consumer and market insights, creative instinct, value creation and team building meet to take ideas from initial brainstorm to an approved proposal at the highest levels of the Company.

The New Experience Development Executive will report to the Portfolio Creative Executive - New Experience Development.. The team will relocate to Orlando, Florida in late 2024.

Responsibilities :
Key Responsibilities

• Lead ideation of new experience initiatives and proof of concept ideas into scalable applications that bring Disney magic to new frontiers
• Transform Disney storytelling and IP into experiences that target consumer desire and demand at a global scale
• Partner with creative directors, producers and experience creators across the range of Walt Disney Imagineering development process
• Define Disney brand quality standards and process in new partnership models
• Develop an integrated menu plan of projects, investments and scale to forecast Company, DPEP and WDI planning of capital, growth and talent
• Define resource, casting, talent and consultant strategies across a range of initiatives in partnership with relevant studio and department leaders
• Actively generate and seek out content partnership potential across broader TWDC in association with Studios, Disney Television Networks, and DMED businesses (Disney+, Hulu, etc---)
• Partner with Global Development to inform and advance new business models, schedules and deal terms, and clear articulation of WDI roles, responsibilities and commitments in contracts with outside partners
• Challenge the status quo of process, roles and techniques to unlock innovation and speed to market of new business concepts
• Ensure new experience concepts are feasible within cost, schedule and quality parameters defined by the business case
• Define the Disney differentiator brand and IP elements and required specialty procurement strategies leveraging internal and external capabilities
• Work across the WDI organization to define and approve process, including responsibilities, staffing and soft cost plans, and validated delivery methodologies to drive efficient models of product development and execution
• Lead the upfront reporting of progress, milestones, budget and risk management for assigned New Experience initiatives
• Oversee smooth transition of approved project(s) based on an agreed plan for WDI detailed design, delivery and execution as required
• Highly complex with high risk, novel process and models and high degree of sensitivityCommunication/Influence and Effectiveness
  • Entrepreneurial thinker comfortable defining new ways of working along the way
  • Develop and build teams with diverse, globally-relevant experiences and mindsets
  • Develop a roster of outside industry-leading creative consultants, business partners, and cultural thought leaders to contribute to existing and new DPEP business endeavors
  • Create presentation materials that synthesize business and creative considerations for senior level DPEP leadership that enable confident review and approvals
  • Assist in setting strategies and priorities and developing deliverables for the executive review (with Chairman, CEO, DPEP Chairman & DPEP Executive Committee)
  • Partner with a wide range of stakeholders, all with responsibility for shared success
    
    
    Basic Qualifications :
    
    • Minimum of 10 years relevant experience in leading business strategies/projects
    • Proven advanced knowledge of Disney or similarly complex brand(s) with an expert ability to translate and evolve brand into business-leading growth ideas
    • Deep knowledge of new and established trends in the travel, tourism, entertainment and leisure industries
    • A strong, confident creative sensibility balanced with strategic and business parameters of success
    • Understanding of strategic planning, business principles, forecasting and budget management at a global level
    • Experienced in leading the integration of multiple data sources into clear, actionable insights to build concrete solutions
    • Keen understanding of the creative and delivery process, in particular new product types and innovative concepts by Disney and the broader industry
    • Excellent communication skills, including verbally, written and in formal speech/presentation settings, and strong executive presence
    • Strong storytelling and communication skill; paints a compelling vision of what's possible
    • Proven, trusted builder of relationships and partnerships at all levels of a complex, matrix and globally
    • Positive attitude and proven ability to influence partners and create an energized environment
    • Skilled manager of teams, including prioritizing work and driving high level output
    • Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and business needs
    • Ability to both think at a high level and execute at a tactical level
    • Willingness to travel domestically and internationally
      Required Education :
      
      • BS/BA in finance, business, design and/or engineering. MBA a plus
        Additional Information :
        This role will initially be based in Glendale, CA but will relocate to Orlando, FL in late 2024.
        
        Our Benefits: 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
        
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Keywords: Walt Disney Imagineering, Glendale , New Experience Development Executive, Other , Glendale, Arizona