Director, Business Operations - Disney Advertising Sales

At Disney, we‘re storytellers, making the impossible, possible. We deliver unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world. We do this through cutting-edge technology and by pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. 

Disney Advertising Sales (DAS) drives the advertising revenue across platforms for the entire media portfolio – including Disney+, Hulu, ABC, ESPN, Freeform, FX, National Geographic, Disney Channels Worldwide, and more.

The Ad Sales Business Operations team within Disney Ad Sales is responsible for driving operational excellence and strategic alignment within the sales organization by delivering critical support to sales management and fostering cross-functional collaboration. It enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of sales force through streamlined processes, optimized procedures, and improved sales support systems. By managing and analyzing data across Sales, Operations, and Revenue Yield Management, the team provides data-driven insights that inform strategic decisions, improve performance metrics, and identify growth opportunities, particularly in high-impact areas.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the VP of Business Operations, the Director of Business Operations will lead strategic initiatives that drive growth, operational excellence, and process innovation across the organization. This role is responsible for overseeing medium- and long-term planning, portfolio health analysis, and scalable process improvements to optimize operational performance.

As a key leader within the organization, the Director will work closely with cross-functional stakeholders to synthesize marketplace insights, provide data-driven recommendations, and execute high-impact projects. this role plays a pivotal role in aligning resources, driving operational consistency, and fostering a collaborative, high-performance team culture.

Strategic Leadership & Business Planning

• Set strategy in partnership with department leads, ensuring that business operations support revenue growth and operational excellence.
• Lead cross-functional teams to identify opportunities and devise solutions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the sales force.
• Oversee portfolio-wide analysis to assess initiative effectiveness and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Develop and communicate department guidelines and operational practices to promote accuracy, consistency, and accountability across teams.
• Provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership, leveraging market insights, competitive analysis, and operational data.

Operational Efficiency & Process Innovation

• Drive enterprise-level process improvements to enhance efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness.
• Lead the development and advocacy of streamlined processes, optimized procedures, and improved sales support systems to maximize team performance.
• Guide and lead operational improvements by identifying and implementing automation and technology solutions.
• Ensure resource allocation and investment prioritization align with long-term business objectives.
• Maintain oversight of governance structures to uphold data integrity and reporting consistency across the organization.

Market Insights & Business Intelligence

• Partner with senior management to understand reporting needs and ensure accuracy in all data and reporting outputs.
• Monitor market trends, competitive dynamics, and industry developments to inform strategy.
• Translate business intelligence into actionable insights that support revenue growth and operational enhancements.
• Collaborate with Finance, Sales, and Operations teams to ensure data-driven decision-making at all levels.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Directly manage and mentor a team of Senior Managers and their direct reports, fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and performance excellence.
• Serve as a key liaison between Revenue & Yield Management, Finance, Sales, and Operations to align priorities and streamline execution.
• Develop and communicate department guidelines and best practices to ensure operational consistency and accountability.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and influence decision-making at the executive level to support business objectives.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, guiding teams to challenge the status quo and drive innovation.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

Strategic Leadership: Develops and executes long-term strategies to meet growth objectives. Accountable for portfolio-wide analysis to ensure initiatives are aligned with business goals. Build presentations and memos to communicate strategy and outcomes to senior leadership.

Process Optimization & Innovation: Oversee process improvement efforts to drive operational efficiency, resource allocation, and organizational alignment. Directs Senior Managers to ensure scalable, effective workflows across projects and teams.

Market Insights & Business Intelligence: Evaluates marketplace developments and analyze trends to inform strategy. Provide leadership with contextual insights that drive decision-making and identify opportunities for competitive advantage.

Team Leadership & Collaboration: Provides directions, manages and mentor a team of Senior Managers and their direct reports. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and performance-driven environment. Partner with key stakeholders across Revenue & Yield Management, Finance, Sales, and Operations.

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training:

Minimum Requirements:

• 10+ years of experience in business operations, strategy, or related fields, with a strong focus on project leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
• Advanced analytical skills, including the ability to develop financial models and analyze portfolio performance.
• Expertise in overseeing process improvement and resource allocation strategies in a complex organization.
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills, with a proven ability to influence and engage senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor high-performing teams, fostering a positive, inclusive culture.
• Strong knowledge of advertising sales, marketplace dynamics, and digital revenue strategies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in management consulting or internal strategy roles.
• 5+ years managing teams
• Familiarity with digital advertising metrics, automation, and attribution models.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI and other tools to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Deep understanding of media math and the distribution platform landscape.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree and MBA or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred.

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