Director Project Management, Walt Disney Imagineering

About the Role & Team:

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.

Walt Disney Imagineering – UK is looking to build a local team located in London to drive the development and execution of new projects for Disney Cruise Line. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of an organization supporting the efforts of building an office and team to deliver multiple projects.

This role will require you to be onsite 4 days a week with 1 day hybrid working.

Job Summary:

This Director level role reports directly to the Project Management Studio Executive and is responsible for leading ship new build projects for the Disney Cruise Line portfolio, with ultimate accountability for scope, schedule, budget, integration, documentation, safety, and quality. The Project Management Executive will oversee a team of specialists, driving the execution of best-in-class projects within the cruise industry.

What You Will Do:

• Develop the project delivery strategy, accountable for effectiveness and ensuring team understanding, and lead the team in delivering in accordance with the defined strategies; dynamically reassess strategies for effectiveness and change course when needed.
• Establish a project culture of initiative-taking change and risk management in addition to leading the implementation and ensure the health of these projects.
• Help to identify estimate gaps; understand trade-offs in factors that impact the estimate and knock on effects; align the team in understanding and delivering within the baseline parameters.
• Effectively manage project contingency, authorize its use, and identify opportunity to reduce cost throughout the project lifecycle.

• Determine project delivery and commercial risks, the likelihood of occurrence, and impact; implement mitigation plans and establish contingency or plans necessary to produce reliable project cost and schedule projection.
• Serve as an adept problem solver of project issues and find common ground during conflict to resolve opposing positions; have a good appreciation for trade-offs and the importance of the Disney brand.
• Lead negotiations for shipyard contracts, project changes, and potential claims.
• Leverage lessons learned and best practices from previous ship new build projects to increase project efficiency, reduce risk, and educate the team.
• Collaborate, build sustainable cross-functional relationships, and provide leadership to internal and external organizations including project team, design studios, operations, municipalities, vendors, and contractors; build trust, understanding, and effective collaboration with Disney Cruise Line operations leadership to ensure satisfaction with project delivery.
• Hold accountability for highly thematic show elements, partnering with Walt Disney Imagineering creative stakeholders as necessary to ensure the creative vision is met.
• Create high performing teams through leadership style, team design and chemistry, continuous alignment, clear communication of goals and action plans, decisiveness, and feedback on performance.
• Supervise other project managers, determine staffing requirements, set priorities, direct work, and conduct performance evaluations.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Seasoned and highly experienced director level project management experience
• Prior cruise ship new build experience desirable
• Proven experience leading multiple, complex projects and large teams.
• Ability to lead staff, consultants, and vendors including setting clear goals and standards, delegating responsibilities effectively, prioritizing tasks, coordinating work, and managing scope, time, and performance.
• Understand business drivers and market conditions to incorporate into plans, decision making, negotiations, and solutions for successful results.
• Demonstrate effectiveness as highly skilled negotiator for contracts, project changes, and potential claims.
• Significant contract administration and claims management experience
• Strong meeting leadership, facilitation, conflict resolution, and alignment skills
• Effective communication, collaboration, technical writing, presentation, and people skills that are audience appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree educated, preferably in a technical field such as engineering, architecture, construction management, or equivalent work experience.
• Continuing education and studies at the post graduate level (i.e., MBA or master’s degree in applicable field) desirable.
• Experience working with major shipyards and cruise line operators desirable.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies in the maritime and hospitality industries.
• Demonstrable Project Management Delivery experience of large and complex projects

The Perks:

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.