“We Power the Magic!” That’s our motto at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Technology & Digital. Our team creates world-class immersive digital experiences for the Company’s premier vacation brands including Disney’s Parks & Resorts worldwide, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, and Disney Vacation Club.
The Technology & Digital team is responsible for the end-to-end digital and physical Guest experience for all technology & digital-led initiatives across the Attractions & Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Resorts & Transportation, and Merchandise lines of business as well as other initiatives including the MyDisneyExperience and Hey, Disney!
What You Will DoThe Lead Technical Program/Project Manager will identify, plan and coordinate a set of related projects within a program, to manage their interdependencies in support of specific business strategies across the Commerce Technology Portfolio and Program. This role sits with the 3PO Team which is responsible for program/project technical project management, project financial management, and program strategy, partnering with Technology, Product, and Design to plan and deliver against our strategic objectives.
Undertakes program/project planning- Develops and implements long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program
- Participates in the annual budgeting and operating plan to support the program
- Build strong business relationships to define strategic plans and product roadmaps
Leads execution of program/project- Coordinates and facilitates delivery of program objectives
- Ensures timely completion of tasks, maintaining program schedule and target dates
- Leads and advises high-priority matrix projects, which often require considerable resources and high levels of functional integration and interaction with project sponsors and teams
- Conducts program meetings at leadership and/or executive director levels
- Develops and runs a project change control process as needed to ensure project team operates within the scope of change approval process
- Provides input and feedback to program team members
- Identifies and evaluates the risks associated with program activities and takes appropriate action to mitigate the risks
- Continually reviews available resources to maintain first-hand knowledge of where resources can be best allocated; reevaluates current resources to resolve project resource surplus and shortfalls
Drives Program/Project results- Develops strategic planning and prioritization for S/VP portfolios with their leader(s) and Finance; establishes and refines results for key finance achievements (Long Term Plan, Annual Capital Plan, Annual Operating Plan)
- Facilitates evaluation and alignment on the delivery of rationalized and prioritized S/VP program input to forecasts in alignment with key parameters (financial targets, ramp-up plans, project priorities etc.)
- Identifies risks and opportunities, taking a proactive approach to problem tackle; shares reporting & insights with a point of view to make actionable recommendations to Executives on behalf of the Portfolio & Program Strategy team.
- Produces monthly expense and capital forecasts, roll-up each forecast by line of business for submission to Finance and/or other business leaders.
- Researches and provides cause of change for variances; delivers monthly/quarterly financial & portfolio updates.
- Maintains a continuous view of resource demand and capacity across the program; proactively partner with Tech & Digital leadership to plan for leveled resource allocation across development and sustainment activities.
- Ability to liaison / translate financials and objectives for T&D leaders, business partners, Finance, Sourcing & Procurement, etc. to tell the ‘story’ behind the numbers.
- Recommends prioritization and rationalization decision-making with leaders.
- Cultivate & evolves partnerships and communication with leaders, Finance, and other related teams to collaborate across the projects for results.
- Establishes & maintains an area’s Technology and Digital roadmap, partnering with the area leaders. Engages with a diverse set of team members and executive partners to gain an understanding of business strategies and align with Technology solutions.
- Partners with Technology & Digital leaders on product capabilities, understanding uncommitted and/or committed value
Prepares and drives program/project communication- Ensures all program/project partners receive orientation and appropriate training in accordance with organizational standards
- Communicates with clients and other partners to gain support for the program or specific projects, and to solicit input to improve the program
- Liaises with managers to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery
- Conducts regular program/project status meetings with all partners, keeping the partner’s needs and requirements continuously in view
- Works collaboratively with development staff and support staff to maintain thorough knowledge of capabilities, and to ensure precise communications between project teams and partners
- Creates program presentations and reports for executive leadership, program sponsors and partners
Required Qualifications & Skills- Technical project management expertise for a global or national brand(s), working closely with technology, creative and user experience teams
- Hands-on experience with practices such as Agile, Lean, Kanban, Waterfall as well as extensive experience with pragmatic blending of styles to facilitate collaboration and delivery
- Ability to understand architectural and technical aspects of projects
- Excellent organizational, communication (written and verbal) and time management skills with attention to detail
- Experience with Agile Application Lifecycle Management and development tools like JIRA, Confluence Wiki
- Understanding of Agile technical practices, DevOps and testing concepts (CI/CD, TDD)
- Experience in coaching and mentoring teams on project management practices including Agile, Lean, Kanban, Waterfall
- Experience with budget tracking and complex cost-benefit analysis
- Experience managing and prioritizing projects within the program and working seamlessly with various teams and stakeholders in a matrix organization
- Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
- Ability to influence negotiations to achieve a favor outcome for both parties.
- Demonstrated analysis/assessment capabilities; Self-motivated and dedicated to performing above expectations.
- Demonstrated ability to drive complex forecasts & capacity plans and to effectively communicate risks and dependencies to leaders and business partners.
Preferred Qualifications- Technical project management experience in software development
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
- Agile Certifications (CSM; ACP; CSPO; SAFe; LeSS)
Education- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business or related field and 7+ years of Program/Project management experience (such as: Project Lead, SCRUM Master, Agile Coach) working with technical teams developing enterprise class solutions
- Or Master’s Degree in Information Technology, Business or related field. and 5+ years of Program/Project management experience (such as: Project Lead, SCRUM Master, Agile Coach) working with technical teams developing enterprise class solutions
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