Alliance Manager

At Disney, we’re storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content and experiences to audiences around the world.

The Corporate Alliances team at Disney is responsible for building and managing strategic, long-term relationships with select global brands and companies. Our mission is to create innovative marketing partnerships that drive profitability and value across The Walt Disney Company, while inspiring creativity and delivering unique experiences to our audiences. This position reports to the Sr. Manager, Alliance Management, based in Burbank, CA. 

The Alliance Manager will foster deep relationships with third-party strategic alliances and internal stakeholders to create mutually beneficial business partnerships/arrangements. The Alliance manager will focus on accounts that require material, ongoing collaboration with multiple lines of business, and thus, requires a depth of knowledge and focus on a select number of complex individual accounts. The Alliance Manager will be responsible for a portfolio of key accounts and success will be measured based on client and internal partner feedback, expertise in the designated industries, and development of short and long-term business plans that deliver on the account’s strategies
 
By identifying and leveraging mutually beneficial opportunities, analyzing their impact on both parties, and developing, presenting, and executing innovative and creative marketing strategies the Alliance Manager will create value for both Alliance partners and Disney. The successful candidate is comfortable navigating a complex internal network, who can create deep mutually beneficial business strategies and act as a business consultant and representative of the Walt Disney Company to Fortune 500 Executive Leadership.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute comprehensive annual and long-term account plans for Alliance partners, including pitch materials, financial analysis, and presentations to key stakeholders

•  Collaborate with internal partners across Disney business units to create and implement impactful marketing initiatives that meet partner objectives and deliver value to Disney

• Oversee the execution and tracking of Alliance partner activations ensuring alignment with strategic goals, timely delivery of key initiatives, and reporting of activation performance

• Plan and attend marketing planning meetings (domestic and international, as applicable) to prioritize and optimize marketing opportunities with Alliance partners

• Act as the key point of contact for assigned Alliance partners for compliance with the alliance agreement, account planning & development, and resolution of issues for both the Alliance partner and the stakeholder business units

• Coordinate regular communications with Alliance partners and ensure all deliverables are met according to the partnership agreements

• Monitor ongoing trends in marketing and the partner category/industry to keep ahead of partner expectations and competition for partner marketing resources

• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of Alliance partner’s business, Alliance partner goals/KPIs, Disney business unit goals and current marketplace trends

• Ensure timely reporting of program results, quarterly account dashboards, and ongoing team reporting updates

• Coordinate cross-functional teams composed of representatives from different Disney business units to develop and execute partnership activities

• Support contract renewals, extensions, and amendments by conducting due diligence, assisting with proposal development, and assisting with negotiations as necessary

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of Marketing, Consulting, Agency and/or related professional experience

• Proven experience in relationship management and client-facing interaction

• Has a keen interest in data; ability to tell a story and extract meaningful and actionable insights

• Is naturally curious and takes the initiative to figure out the “whys” and the “whats” when presented with information

• Ability to develop creative, measurable solutions to business challenges, grounded in insights

• Ability to lead projects from inception to completion, including timelines, milestones, budgets and KPIs

• Ability to communicate effectively and foster relationships with internal Disney cast members and Alliance partners at all levels

• Ability to lead and influence internal and external stakeholders and manage multiple projects simultaneously with no direct authority 

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and matrixed environment

• Demonstrated strong verbal, written and presentation skills

• Self-motivated individual with demonstrated strong abilities in organization, prioritization, and multi-tasking

• Comfortable with ambiguity and can embrace change

• Demonstrated strong computer skills with advanced skills in use of MS Office including PowerPoint, Word, Excel 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Deep familiarity with The Walt Disney Company’s brand, products/services, and guest experience

• Experience in promotions, marketing, planning and end to end execution across entertainment/studios, retail, food & beverage, and/or consumer packaged goods

• Proficiency with project management tools, such as Salesforce, and Smart Sheets, with the ability to use these tools effectively for tracking, reporting, and managing projects

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or other related field or equivalent work experience.