Executive Design Management

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About the Role & Team

Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) makes the impossible possible by combining innovation and storytelling to bring Disney stories, characters, and worlds to life inside the 3-dimensional built environment. Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Representing more than 150 individual design disciplines, its talented corps of Imagineers is responsible for the creation - from concept initiation through installation - of Disney experiences theme parks, resorts, attractions, cruise ships, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, and new media technology projects. Disney Imagineers are uniquely talented individuals who bring together the best aspects of creativity, innovation, and passion. Our mission is to build magnificent Disney experiences around the world that provide opportunities for friends and families to spend time together - making memories that last a lifetime.

Are you ready to join an amazing team that supports design and planning of special projects? This is a phenomenal opportunity to bring your Design leadership skills and experience to Walt Disney Imagineering!

What You Will Do

The WDI Design and Planning (D+P) Project Design Management Executive will lead a team of design managers, architects, engineers, and other designers responsible for projects in the region, forge strong working partnerships in the global organization, oversee design integration with other WDI disciplines, and represent D+P efforts with key Disney Leaders and teams. Responsibilities include planning, integrating, and managing the D+P disciplines and coordinating efforts with Creative, Show Design and Production, and Show Ride, with accountability for the financial health of the projects.

• Oversee design on large, highly complex and high-risk theme park, resort, and other projects, setting the design strategy and course of action for the portfolio of work.
• Provide architecture and facilities engineering project management and technical leadership from conceptual design through construction on land level themed entertainment projects of critical importance to Imagineering and The Walt Disney Company.
• Represent D+P on the project core team responsible to the Studio Vice President and the Project Manager for the D+P design process and product.
• Lead projects from early blue-sky, concept level through delivery, working closely with peers and leadership based in other regions, including the United States.
• Coordinate with functional management on staffing/costing and strategy issues.
• Assemble and manage design schedules, labor estimates and budgets.
• Lead a dynamic team of designers, overseeing training and ensuring a positive work environment.
• Host regular staff meetings that encourage radical collaboration, inspire design excellence, and showcase innovation.     
• Ensure integration and coordination of multi-discipline architectural, environmental design and engineering scopes of work, including integration of all show and ride system requirements and facility impacts.
• Provide technical and administrative direction to maintain project costs within budget with appropriate cost and schedule tracking and reporting.
• Direct the activities of in-house staff and outside consultants in the preparation of construction contract documents.
• Oversee management and reporting of project status and resolution of issues. 
• Select and oversee design/build consultant(s) as the owner's representative.
• Make recommendations on bid packages.
• Ensure conformance to all local codes as well as WDI standards and procedures.

Education 

• Graduate of an accredited school of engineering or architecture with a Bachelor of Arts/Architecture or Bachelor of Science degree.
• Advanced degree desired but not required
• License desirable or equivalent work experience

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 10 to 15 years of relevant design and design management experience
• Three to five years of experience managing multi-disciplinary teams in the production of contract documents for construction
• Broad knowledge of the field of design and engineering for commercial building construction, including industry practices, construction methods, codes, technology, integration of multiple design and technical disciplines in the preparation and use of contract documents in all phases of design, engineering, and construction
• Knowledgeable in the use of computer technology in the CADD generation of drawings and as a project management tool in administration, planning, and finance
• Proven ability to translate high-level vision/scope descriptions into actionable plans.
• Proven understanding of the business of design.
• High degree of business acumen as well as knowledge of WDI and its core functions.
• Disney or themed entertainment business experience is desired.
• Experience working with development teams and prototype products.
• Ability to distill complex information, including financial details, into engaging high-level messages accessible to a wide audience.
• Demonstrated executive leadership skills with the ability to form positive working relationships with a variety of disciplines, seniority levels, and personality types.
• Proven experience in influencing strategic direction with senior executives.
• Comfortable working in a creative and fast-paced environment.
• Willing and able to quickly grasp new concepts and relationship of those concepts to overall goals, demonstrating adaptability.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to synthesize and present information and advance business strategies utilizing strong analytical skills.
• Positive attitude, highly dependable with strong work ethic.

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