Entertainment Tech and Programs Manager

“We Power the Magic!” That’s our motto at Disney Experiences (DX) . At Disney, you’ll help inspire magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and create innovative built environments. The Entertainment Tech and Programs Mgr will oversee all logistics and project management tasks related to the daily operations of highly impactful areas within the Live Entertainment Technical department at the Disneyland Resort. This includes managing the planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and coordination of activities for Stage Technicians and Show Services Cast in the operation, maintenance, and sustainment of high-complexity shows, spectaculars, and events. The role requires managing timelines, budgets, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure seamless execution and delivery. You will communicate with all levels of leadership, peers, and team members, inspire Cast to promote operational excellence, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. A proactive approach to safety standards, preventive maintenance, and risk management will be prioritized and enforced. This role combines technical expertise with advanced project management, focusing on efficient, fiscally responsible execution of live entertainment. You will be assigned various entertainment offerings, which may require working on weekends, holidays, or overnight hours. You will report to the Area Manager-Entertainment Tech Maintenance

Responsibilities/You Will

• Provide leadership for the cutting-edge technical projects and innovations including coordination, operation, maintenance, and sustainment of all technical elements of higher complexity shows and entertainment product, including spectaculars, for audio, lighting, video, automation, rigging, and other related disciplines. Including directly leading hourly union and non-union teams
• Develop and execute comprehensive project plans for live entertainment events, encompassing timelines, resource allocation, and technical requirements, to ensure successful delivery from concept to completion
• Perform as a Duty Manager when assigned to oversee the daily operation of the Technical Services and Show Services operations
• Oversight of day of deployment of cast members, job activities, schedules, time recording, maintenance tracking reports and show reports
• Manage cast development; guide, inspire, and hold team accountable for delivering daily operations. Coach, your team through regular interactions and quality conversations to ensure desired behaviors
• Collaborate and partner with Entertainment Production and Operations teams; ensuring that all shared responsibilities support the performance, maintenance and sustainment of our shows, offerings, and events
• Facilitate production meetings to ensure venue standards are being upheld as well as maintaining productive collaboration with key partners.  Establish a presence amongst entertainment partners as the primary point of contact for all things technical support within a venue or project.
• Help create the annual operating Plan (AOP), five-year plan, capital plan for assigned responsibilities while tracking expenses related to technical equipment, labor, and other resources, while implementing cost-control measures to stay within budget
• Lead procurement process to repair/replace technical assets
• Manage the processes and resources used to facilitate scheduling, labor tracking, procurement, maintenance activities, expense budgets, and reporting tools
• Manage maintenance and operating guide and training programs to ensure cast safety, show readiness, and reliability of assets are to company standards.  Including managing rigorous quality assurance processes, including system testing and pre-event rehearsals, to ensure all technical systems are operational and meet performance standards
• Oversee and lead the justification, scheduling, and implementation of the IFP for assigned locations
• Ensure all maintenance activities are performed efficiently, safely, and in compliance with Company standards and regulations including proper documentation utilizing reporting tools

Basic Qualifications/You Will Have

• One of the following:

• Proficiency with industry-standard software and hardware tools used for show control and show-action equipment.
• Proven experience with large-scale live event productions, including concerts, theater, and corporate events.
• In-depth understanding of signal flow, system integration, and troubleshooting within a live environment.
• Project Management oversight of complex technical operation and maintenance

• Exceptional communication skills, capable of articulating complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Minimum 4 years of leader experience, leading hourly or salaried teams
• Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements
• Ability to be flexible with work schedule, including weekends, holidays and 3rd shift
• Ability to manage confidential information and difficult conversations
• Experience building relationships and working with all partners
• Experience with budgeting and scheduling
• Self-starter with the ability to deal with ambiguity
• Proven proficiency with multiple software/computer programs including MS Office, MS Teams, Smartsheet, Maximo, MyTime, D Tools HR, etc

Preferred Qualifications

• Leadership in a technical theater or maintenance environment
• Project management or change management experience
• Experience with Disneyland Resort collective bargaining agreements, specifically IATSE
• Advanced knowledge of live entertainment crafts including but not limited to: facility and show lighting infrastructure, audio and RF protocols, automation and stage systems (encoders, TAIT control interfaces, profiles, safety hardware), rigging and rope access, video signal processing (distribution of video signals), special effects, scenic and stage systems
• Knowledge of Disney HR procedures
• Demonstrate passion and commitment to diversity and inclusion, including inviting diverse perspectives and promoting an inclusive work environment

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Theater, Fine Arts/Technical, Engineering, or related field and/or equivalent work experience