Senior Manager, Franchise Planning

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs, and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

Nearly every project at Walt Disney Imagineering includes a first-of-its-kind. Innovation is in our DNA, and Imagineers constantly push the boundaries of technology and invent new goals as well as the solutions to achieve them. As Imagineers, one of our greatest rewards is knowing that the experiences and environments we create inspire others. The diversity of expertise at Imagineering makes us uniquely capable of influencing positive change in our communities and around the world. And knowing that we have helped make a difference is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring for all of us!

We are seeking a collaborative and strategic Senior Manager, Franchise Planning for the WDI Menu, Franchise and Partnership Planning team as part of the Creative Strategy Studio. With direction and oversight from the Menu and Franchise Planning Executive, this individual will lead the strategy, creative and brand development within WDI of TWDC Franchise & content priorities across Disney Experiences globally.

You Will:

Strategy & Planning

• Communicate long-term TWDC strategy of the brand(s) & franchise(s) to partners across WDI, including ensuring an understanding of prioritization between IP and identification of new and emerging opportunities.

• Develop and communicate WDI-specific franchise plans, infusing inputs from TWDC Enterprise, Disney Experiences (DX) Consumer Franchise, Consumer Insights (CIMA) that are filtered through a creative decision-making lens.

• Influence strategy and decisions by effectively balancing creative, consumer, and commercial inputs and impacts.

• Build and foster relationships across TWDC, DX, and WDI to ensure a consistent understanding of each team and business’s priorities, challenges, and consumer need states.

• Proactively facilitate forums and summits where key stakeholders can share plans and learnings.

• Identify opportunities to optimize resources and knowledge sharing.

• Keep a consistent focus on consumer insights and research to identify market trends, consumer perceptions, and brand health.

• Regularly monitor brand health by proactively checking in on business performance metrics and filtering for creative and product-relevant decision making.

Partner, Project & Team Management

• Evaluate current franchise processes, tools, assets, and resources for efficiency and efficacy; If necessary, create and build, rethink, and revise as needed.

• Educate new and existing partners on core franchise values – uphold brand/story guidelines, integrity, and guardrails to proactively and effectively communicate this guidance to all business stakeholders.

• As needed, act as an integration producer on creative development projects to ensure overall partner objectives and expectations are met, and projects are delivered on budget and on time.

•  Manage appropriate partner reviews and communication streams to ensure successful delivery and launch.

• Ensure key franchise creative-to-creative connections between Imagineers and content partners across the company to enable long term planning and project success, including oversight of review and approval processes as needed.

• Create and maintain a positive team environment.

• Maintain strong cross-segment and enterprise relationships (WDI, Park Lines of Business/Shared Teams, Legal, Corporate Brand, PR, Synergy, etc.).

• Optimally allocate and manage designated budget by developing annual brand/franchise creative development and project priorities based on both creative and business needs.

You Will Have:

• Minimum of 7 years relevant experience in brand management, marketing, strategy, or business planning

• Globally focused and culturally aware mindset

• Strong communication and presentation skills

• Highly collaborative and team-oriented work style

• Exceptional influencing, problem-solving, and dot-connecting skills

• Proven ability to synthesize complex data and information into actionable intelligence for design teams and senior leaders 

• Ability to build, manage, and maintain relationships across a complex, matrixed company

• Largely self-directed

• Ability to operate and communicate in both highly creative & highly strategic environments

• Experience leading and developing direct reports

• Exceptional appreciation and understanding of the Disney Brand & Disney Parks Storytelling

• Presentation development using Keynote, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Strategy, or related field

Preferred Education:

• Master of Business Administration

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Additional Information:

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.

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $137,200 to $183,900 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.