Project Manager II

Technology is at the heart of Disney’s past, present, and future. Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology is a global organization of engineers, product developers, designers, technologists, data scientists, and more – all working to build and advance the technological backbone for Disney’s media business globally.

The team marries technology with creativity to build world-class products, enhance storytelling, and drive velocity, innovation, and scalability for our businesses. We are Storytellers and Innovators. Creators and Builders. Entertainers and Engineers. We work with every part of The Walt Disney Company’s media portfolio to advance the technological foundation and consumer media touch points serving millions of people around the world.

A few reasons why we think you’d love working here:

• Building the future of Disney’s media: Our Technologists are designing and building the products and platforms that will power our media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.
• Reach, Scale & Impact: More than ever, Disney’s technology and products serve as a signature doorway for fans' connections with the company’s brands and stories. Disney+. Hulu. ESPN. ABC. ABC News…and many more. These products and brands – and the unmatched stories, storytellers, and events they carry – matter to millions of people globally.
• Innovation: We develop and implement groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms, and solve complex and distinctive technical problems.

The Business Operations team helps guide and articulate technology strategy and research, and is responsible for driving the day-to-day operation of the Product & Technology organization, including: project and portfolio management and tracking; organization-level capital, space, and resource management and allocation; process management; technical incident management; and our administrative and workplace experience support team.

Job Summary:

Within the Business Operations organization, the Program Manager is a mid-level role focused on driving efficiency and coordination across cross-functional programs. This position is responsible for overseeing internal programs to ensure they are managed efficiently and communicated effectively, while aligning with the organization’s strategic goals. The Program Manager will collaborate closely with various departments, stakeholders, and executive leadership to coordinate initiatives that achieve business objectives. If you excel in collaboration, mentoring, and leading teams, this role offers a dynamic opportunity to make a significant impact.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

Leadership and Team Management:

• Partner with the Lead Program Manager to support key initiatives, including leadership updates and tracking progress against goals.
• Contribute to a positive team environment by promoting collaboration and open communication
• Lead by example through a strong work ethic, creative problem-solving, and a collaborative mindset

Strategic Planning and Execution:

• Serve as the day-to-day owner for specific projects within the internal products, helping to implement enhancements and track milestones.
• Support operational process improvements in collaboration with Strategic and Business Operations teams.
  Help reduce blockers and ensure alignment across project stakeholders and cross-functional contributors.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support roadmap execution and program alignment.
  Coordinate with external partners as needed to support timelines and expectations.

Communication and Negotiation:

• Communicate clearly and consistently across teams to keep everyone aligned on goals, progress, and next steps.
• Help manage tradeoffs and conflicting priorities by facilitating discussions and working toward balanced solutions.

Process Improvement and Learning:

• Identify areas for process improvement and contribute to continuous iteration and refinement.
• Take initiative to learn new tools and systems, staying adaptable in a fast-paced environment.

Required Education and Experience/Skills/Training:

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in Program Management or related roles (e.g., Project Manager, Scrum Master)
• Proven track record managing cross-functional programs from planning through execution using Agile methodologies
• Skilled in understanding requirements, prioritizing initiatives, and driving project momentum with cross-functional teams
• Experienced in managing multiple projects simultaneously with effective prioritization and time management
• Proactive and process-oriented, with a continuous improvement mindset and the ability to guide peers in process development
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities; able to influence without direct authority
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and resourceful
• Developed core soft skills including communication, leadership, teamwork, collaboration, flexibility, problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict resolution
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required

Preferred Qualifications:

• PMP Certification or similar preferred
• Expertise in delivery management tools (Jira, Smartsheet, Airtable, Excel, Google Suite etc.)
• Experience with headcount and/or resource management

The hiring range for this position in Santa Monica, CA and Glendale, CA is $104,600 to $140,200 per year and in Seattle, WA is $109,500 to $146,800 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.