Director, Development

2 Months ago • 15 Years + • Product Management • $202,900 PA - $272,100 PA

Job Summary

Job Description

The Office of Technology Enablement (OTE) at Disney seeks a Director, Development to lead AI & XR Studio teams. This role involves overseeing creative strategy from concept to launch, collaborating with technical teams on prototype development, and ensuring alignment with business goals. Responsibilities include team leadership, technical expertise in immersive storytelling, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in creative strategy, development, and project management within gaming or entertainment, a strong understanding of emerging technologies, and excellent communication skills. The Director will champion innovation, mentor team members, and represent OTE's strategic goals.
Must have:
  • 15+ years experience in creative strategy/development
  • Strong project management & leadership skills
  • Experience leading technical teams
  • Proven track record of successful project launches
  • Expertise in emerging technology platforms (VR/XR)
  • Excellent communication & presentation skills

Job Details

Job Summary:

Job Summary:

The Office of Technology Enablement is a strategic organization designed to establish Disney as a progressive, innovative, and responsible leader in important and fast-moving areas of technology such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality. The organization coordinates efforts in AI/ML and mixed reality across each of the Walt Disney Company’s business segments to enable value and drive business outcomes.

Disney’s Office of Technology Enablement (OTE) is seeking an innovative and strategic Director, Development  to lead our talented teams within the AI & XR Studio. This leadership role is essential for driving early ideation, building technology prototypes that bring creative visions to life, and championing forward-thinking initiatives across the Walt Disney Company. The ideal candidate will guide the creative vision, storytelling, overall design, and technical direction of our AI & XR content, focusing on pioneering emergent storytelling and interactive experiences. A successful candidate will possess the strategic thinking and development expertise necessary to execute a diverse range of projects with varying scopes, timelines, and budgets. An entrepreneurial spirit and a versatile background in successful projects are crucial for success in this position. This role reports directly to the VP of Content Strategy & Development.  

  

Responsibilities:

Strategy Development and Execution  

  • Oversee the creative strategy process from concept to handoff, ensuring alignment between game design, story elements, and technical implementation.  
  • Prepare detailed creative strategy documentation for seamless transition to the technical team.  
  • Collaborate closely with the Director of Narrative & Experiences to implement creative concepts during prototyping and production phases.  
  • Work with Business and Partnerships teams to integrate quantitative analysis into creative strategies.  

Team Leadership  

  • Serve as a benchmark for best-in-class practices across technologies and platforms, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.  
  • Represent the organization’s strategic goals on behalf of the VP of Content Strategy & Creative Development.  
  • Ensure that creative outputs align with target audience expectations and enhance user experience.  

Technical Expertise  

  • Lead a team of engineers in developing cutting-edge immersive storytelling experiences. 
  • Oversee the build, testing, and validation of prototypes from concept to launch, ensuring quality standards are met.  
  • Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies to enhance experience development.  

Collaboration & Communication   

  • Act as a connector across the development pipeline to ensure consistent execution of the creative vision on technology platforms.  
  • Collaborate with development, design, and production teams to define and integrate technical requirements seamlessly.  
  • Provide mentorship to team members, fostering innovation and continuous improvement.  
  • Inspire teams across TWDC to dream big, innovate, and collaborate on new visions for XR. 
  • Champion initiatives that strengthen technical capabilities across TWDC, such as game jams and brainstorming sessions.  

  

  

Basic Qualifications:  

  • 15+ years of experience across creative strategy, development/creative director roles, or creative production, preferably in the gaming or entertainment industry  
  • Strong understanding of the games and entertainment landscapes and emerging trends  
  • Excellent project management and leadership skills  
  • Experience leading technical teams in both prototyping and full-scope project development  
  • Proven track record of developing and launching projects from ideation to production, launch and live-operations  
  • A successful history of developing and ideating in new & emerging technology platforms – console, handled, mobile, VR/XR, etc.  
  • Outstanding communication and presentation skills.  

  


The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles, CA is $202,900.00-$272,100.00 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.

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From classic animated features and exhilarating theme park attractions to cutting edge sports coverage, and the hottest shows on television, The Walt Disney Company has been making magic since 1923, creating unforgettable stories that connect with audiences around the world. And we’re just getting started!

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What is #LifeAtDisney like? It’s a series of magical moments with cast members and employees developing and telling our stories in the most innovative ways. Whether it’s a day spent as a Disney VoluntEAR, or celebrating the release of a new interactive experience, retail product or movie, our days are filled with the knowledge that we are creating entertainment experiences the whole family can enjoy. Follow @DisneyCareers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a peek behind-the-curtain, and discover how you could connect to a world of stories with Disney!

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