Lead Technical Program Manager

Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

On any given day at Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology, we’re reimagining ways to create magical viewing experiences for the world’s most beloved stories while also transforming Disney’s media business for the future. Whether that’s evolving our streaming and digital products in new and immersive ways, powering worldwide advertising and distribution to maximize flexibility and efficiency, or delivering Disney’s unmatched entertainment and sports content, every day is a moment to make a difference to partners and to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

A few reasons why we think you’d love working for Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

• Building the future of Disney’s media business: DE&E Technologists are designing and building the infrastructure that will power Disney’s media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.

• Reach & Scale: The products and platforms this group builds and operates delight millions of consumers every minute of every day – from Disney+ and Hulu, to ABC News and Entertainment, to ESPN and ESPN+, and much more.

• Innovation: We develop and execute groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and enhance how audiences experience sports, entertainment & news.

Job Summary: Ideal candidates must be highly proactive, detail-oriented, and work on multiple assignments that may span the department. They must be capable of clearly communicating schedules, risks, status, and processes to various business and technical audiences. They must partner with technical program and project managers and technical leads outside their area to coordinate schedules and deliverables.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

Lead and Manage Large-Scale Technical Projects:

• Oversee and lead large-scale media engineering programs from planning through execution.

• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and risk management strategies for high-impact initiatives.

• Coordinate with multiple departments to gather requirements, prioritize tasks, and manage dependencies, ensuring seamless integration and execution of projects.

• Ensure projects meet deadlines, scope, and budget while maintaining high quality and technical excellence.

• Provide regular status updates and conduct reviews to ensure alignment and transparency across all stakeholders.

• Serve as a Scrum Master:

• Act as a Scrum Master for one or more teams, facilitating all Scrum ceremonies (Daily Standups, Sprint Planning, Sprint Reviews, and Retrospectives).

• Remove impediments and blockers that may impact the team's productivity and progress.

• Coach and guide teams on Agile principles and Scrum practices to ensure effective delivery.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the teams by encouraging experimentation and adopting best practices.

• Track and report on team metrics and performance using Agile tools (e.g., Jira, Trello).

• Mentor Junior TPMs:

• Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to junior Technical Program Managers.

• Help develop their skills in project management, Agile methodologies, and technical expertise.

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages professional growth.

Collaborate Across Teams:

• Work closely with engineering, product management, design, and other cross-functional teams to define project goals and deliverables.

• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure seamless integration and execution of projects.

• Act as the primary liaison between different teams, ensuring that all parties are aligned and working towards common objectives.

• Leverage your ability to translate technical requirements into actionable plans, fostering a unified approach to problem-solving.

• Prioritize Time and Bandwidth Effectively:

• Efficiently prioritize your time and bandwidth to manage multiple projects and responsibilities concurrently.

• Use strong organizational skills to balance high-priority tasks and strategic initiatives.

• Adapt to shifting priorities and ensure timely delivery of key milestones and objectives.

• Implement strategies to optimize team performance and streamline workflows, ensuring efficient use of resources.

Utilize Technical Expertise:

• Apply your technical knowledge to guide project teams through challenges and decision-making processes.

• Implement best practices in software development, system architecture, and quality assurance.

• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends to continuously enhance our media engineering capabilities.

• Focus on the Customer:

• Advocate for the customer experience in all program decisions, ensuring video playback, artwork, and metadata solutions meet the highest standards.

• Analyze customer feedback and performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and innovation.

• Promote Operational Excellence:

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track program success and drive continuous improvement.

• Enhance operational processes to improve efficiency, scalability, and agility within the program management function.

• Foster a culture of operational excellence and accountability within the team.

Basic Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• 7+ years of experience in technical program management or a similar role.

• Proven track record of delivering large-scale, complex projects in a fast-paced environment.

• Extensive experience as a Scrum Master, with a deep understanding of Agile principles and practices.

• Strong technical background with experience in media engineering, video playback technologies, or related domains.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Passion for innovation and a customer-centric mindset.

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related field.

Bonus Points:

• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or similar Agile certification.

• Experience in the streaming media industry.

• Familiarity with Agile tools (e.g., Jira, Trello).

• Knowledge of cloud computing and large-scale distributed systems.

The hiring range for this position in Santa Monica and Glendale, CA is 152,200.00 to $204,100.00 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.