Manager, Technical Project Management

Disney - Orlando, FL

Full-time - Mid Level

Orlando, FL

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries

About the position

The Manager, Technical Project Management role at Disney Experiences, Technology & Digital is a pivotal position that focuses on leading a team responsible for supporting program and project management functions as well as portfolio strategic planning. This role is essential in maintaining a strategic view over a set of projects and providing the necessary framework for implementing business initiatives while applying project management principles, practices, and techniques. The team is tasked with creating world-class immersive digital experiences for Disney's premier vacation brands, including Disney's Parks & Resorts, Disney Cruise Line, and Disney Vacation Club. The Manager will report to the Sr Manager, Technical Project & Management and will engage with various stakeholders to ensure alignment with business strategies and technology solutions. In this role, the Manager will lead strategic planning functions by providing thought partnership with delivery teams and business partners during new product conceptualization. They will develop a comprehensive understanding of business priorities and process improvement opportunities, ensuring that the team is tightly coordinated with key technology and functional partners. The Manager will also contribute to PMO planning around the Annual Capital Plan (ACP) and Long Term Plan (LTP), building and leading the technology roadmap in partnership with the PMO leadership team. The Manager will provide leadership on project and program management by maintaining a strategic view over the set of projects, ensuring the delivery of overall program objectives, and coordinating the execution of program/project activities. They will be responsible for assessing program and project risks, formulating mitigation plans, and ensuring timely completion of tasks while adhering to quality standards. Additionally, the Manager will mentor various levels of project managers and support the Project Management Office (PMO) initiatives by preparing and presenting technical documentation to improve the knowledge of PMO and project team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning functions and provide thought partnership with delivery teams and business partners during new product conceptualization.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of business priorities and process improvement opportunities.
• Ensure team coordination with key technology and functional partners (Product, Architecture, Finance, HR, LOBs).
• Contribute to PMO planning around Annual Capital Plan (ACP) and Long Term Plan (LTP).
• Build and lead the technology roadmap in partnership with the PMO leadership team.
• Engage leaders to align business strategies with technology solutions.
• Lead demand, prioritization, and funding of the Technology roadmap based on business value and priorities.
• Maintain a strategic view over the set of projects and provide the framework for implementing business initiatives or large-scale change.
• Provide process expertise on a set of related projects within a program.
• Identify, plan, and coordinate a set of related projects within a program to lead their interdependencies in support of specific business strategies.
• Ensure the delivery of the overall program and its activities in accordance with the mission and goals of the organization.
• Participate in the annual budgeting and operating plan to support the program.
• Be responsible for and ensure delivery of program objectives, ensuring timely completion of tasks and maintaining program schedule and target dates.
• Assess program and project risks and formulate mitigation plans, developing and updating project budgets as required.
• Supervise high-priority matrix projects requiring considerable resources and high levels of functional integration.
• Continually review available resources to maintain knowledge of where resources can be best allocated and resolve project resource surplus and shortfalls.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards and review results, tracking progress and reviewing program and project activities to meet deadlines.
• Assess program and project issues and identify solutions to meet productivity, quality, and customer goals.
• Mentor various levels of project managers regarding all aspects of the project life cycle and project management field.
• Continue professional development through attendance at meetings, professional seminars, and conferences.
• Provide leadership to the project management team and help define the strategic direction of the project management function.

Requirements

• 8+ years of project/program management experience, working with technical teams developing enterprise class solutions.
• 5+ years leading resources with diverse skills.
• 5+ years in a strategy & portfolio management organization.
• Excellent organizational, communication (written and verbal), and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Experience with financial management and sophisticated cost-benefit analysis.
• Experience leading and prioritizing projects within the program and working seamlessly with various partners in a matrix organization.
• Understanding of the entire project lifecycle from ideation through hypercare/change management.
• Possess executive presence and experience in making pitches to senior leaders.
• Ability to work efficiently and influentially at all levels in an organization.
• Experience partnering with technology, internal business partners, and vendors.
• Ability to successfully operate in an environment where partnership and influence are key success drivers.
• Experience in leading, supporting, and working with large-scale matrix project teams.
• Experience with Agile Application Lifecycle Management and development tools like JIRA, Confluence Wiki, and SmartSheet.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in supporting travel trade, hospitality, workforce management, supply chain, retail and/or large-scale businesses and logistics systems software development.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Dental insurance coverage
• Vision insurance coverage
• 401k benefit for retirement savings plan
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee discount programs