Sr Distribution Ops Mgr

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. 

Here are 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.

Content Platforms & Operations is responsible for the development and ongoing advancement of the technical and operational functions driving the worldwide distribution and monetization of Disney’s linear networks and theatrical content. This includes Disney’s media supply chain and storage, network and theatrical distribution operations, media localization, network transmission and origination, and more. The global team also plays a critical role as the primary collaboration point for Product & Technology with Disney’s EMEA, APAC, and LATAM regional business teams.

Job Summary:

• Brings specialized depth and expertise in distribution operations including all servicing tasks necessary to meet Content Sales business objectives.
• The individual exhibits expertise in both linear and digital platforms and has strong comprehension in latest business trends.
• Applies established methods and knowledge of business operations, continually working to improve products and services and offering support to less experienced colleagues.
• Manages distribution deadlines by coordinating with stakeholders and vendors to confirm asset readiness and accuracy and escalates delays while implementing contingency plans as necessary.
• Analyzes internal and/or external business workflows to identify efficiencies and provide recommendations. Documents and troubleshoots issues, escalating them when required for resolution.
• Works independently to maintain essential processes for digital and linear workflows; maps procedures and clearly records all inputs and outputs, while identifying key metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of business operations and critical customer requirements.
• Accountable for driving execution and delivery of multiple high-profile projects/accounts projects with moderate resource requirements, risk, and/or complexity. May lead team-wide projects. Continuously looks for process improvement opportunities.
• Communicates difficult and complex delivery status and control requirements to partners and negotiates solutions for content remediation, rejections, or replacements.
• Responsibilities include managing vendors and collaborating with business partners on establishing and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs), confirming compliance with Disney specifications and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Oversees the coordination of source materials to and from facilities; approves authorization for local access with third party vendors. Manage client on-boarding with vendors.
• May lead functional business and product development projects that have moderate resource needs, risk, or complexity, as well as handling other ad hoc tasks.
• Addresses complex problems by considering multiple perspectives and sources to develop solutions with limited guidance, providing informed judgments and new approaches as needed.
• Directly impacts departmental operational key results (OKRs) in support of content distribution, customer support and project objectives.
• Responsible for purchase orders and costs affiliated with distribution projects and ensures invoices submitted against are approved and within projected budget.

Basic Qualifications

• 7 years of experience in broadcast or digital distribution, localization, asset management and related fields.
• Ability to anticipate and respond to client requirements proactively.
• Up-to-date technical knowledge in digital media tools and technologies.
• Previous customer service experience and managing clients and vendors.
• Deep understanding on A/V technical formats including IMF, UHD, HDR, Dolby-Vision, ATMOS and pro-res as well as localization requirement for dub and sub assets.
• Strong computer skills including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Google Docs.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7 years of digital and/or linear distribution, servicing and localization workflows, asset management and client/vendor management experience or other relevant experience.
• Previous experience in broadcast cable, TV syndication, digital operations and distribution is a plus.
• Knowledge of the current linear and digital distribution landscape and technological trends.
• Proficiency in TV series and features versioning, along with prior experience in pay TV cable, is a plus.

Required Education  

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

The hiring range for this position in California is $105,100 to $140,900 per year based on a 40 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. 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.