Product Strategy & Planning Manager (IA/Project Hire)

Product Strategy & Planning Manager

Job Summary

Are you passionate about driving consumer-facing product strategies and experiences with direct impact on the Walt Disney World business? Are you a partner-focused team player with a natural curiosity to understand the “why” behind business performance? Do you have a passion for thinking strategically and creatively to deliver unparalleled long-term results?

At Walt Disney World we create memories, and on the Product Strategy & Planning team you will join a team leading the development and execution of commercial product strategies and initiatives inspiring millions of Guests to experience our Parks and Resorts. As a Product Strategy & Planning Manager, you will lead long-term development projects for Walt Disney World, inclusive of the Attractions & Entertainment capital menu commercial inputs, site commercial needs assessment, and creation of varied product investment strategies to deliver sustainable long-term growth.

The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, inquisitive, confident, self-directed, and comfortable working with and communicating to leaders at all levels in the organization.

Responsibilities

It’s our mission to deliver commercial product strategies rooted in consumer and business analytics and insights maximizing long-term profitability and guest experience. Along with managing these product strategies, you will help foster an energizing culture of excellence, encouragement, and ownership.

Every day as a Product Strategy & Planning Manager is unique, challenging, and fulfilling! On any one day you might:

• Drive new, large-scale incremental business opportunities driving WDW site performance, inclusive of the site Commercial needs assessment and Attractions & Entertainment capital menu inputs by analyzing internal and external trends, performing comprehensive market assessments to evaluate competitive positioning, hosting ideation sessions and recurring forums, working closely with cross-functional stakeholders, and building a complex and compelling business case to gain support from senior leadership.

• Optimize and/or transform emerging or existing product offerings by developing structured frameworks, analyzing performance trends and consumer insight research, and working closely with functional partners (e.g., Finance, Consumer Insight, Industrial Engineering, Revenue Planning) to integrate a thoughtful approach that balances financial, Cast and Guest priorities.

• Build your recommendation and present to key clients, partners, and executives to gain approval tailoring communication to each audience (Executives, Managers, Peer Groups, Internal and External Partners)

• Project manage the implementation of approved initiatives, independently leading partners and processes to ensure seamless new product creation and delivery  

• Actively participate in or lead large cross-functional forums, leading discussions, influencing the conversation to be a catalyst for change and champion for alignment, and contributing to key short- and long-term initiatives that will deliver growth to the Site.

• Effectively prioritize projects in a fast-paced environment, clearly defining and articulating the objectives and necessary steps to move forward complex bodies of work

Basic Qualifications

To do this effectively, you will need:

• Five (3)+ years of experience in business development, strategy, consulting, brand management, finance, marketing, innovation, or digital product management

• Strong financial and analytical acumen with the ability to lead complex work within a matrix organization producing long term strategies and delivering profitable initiatives

• An entrepreneurial spirit with business development and product strategy experience

• Experience developing cohesive, succinct and actionable strategies utilizing disparate and complex consumer-led insights from cross-functional sources

• High emotional intelligence with a proven ability to build strong partnerships and deliver results across various teams while integrating diverse perspectives, oftentimes with a need to influence without formal ownership

• A gift for translating complex problems into elegant solutions, articulating compelling stories, both verbal and written, with the ability to deliver presentations with poise, confidence and authentic style to senior executive leaders

• Proven ability to manage a large volume of complex work effectively and efficiently, prioritizing continually to ensure business results are achieved

• Have business acumen working with P&L, capital projects, annual operating plans, and interpreting & communicating data

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep expertise in consumer products, theme parks and/or resorts industries

• 8+ years’ experience in business development, strategy, consulting, brand management, finance, marketing, innovation, or digital product management

• Knowledge of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts products and experiences

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Industrial Engineering, Marketing or other quantitative field or equivalent

Preferred Education

Master's Degree or MBA

The hiring range for this position in Orlando, FL is $100,1000 to $134,200 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.