Ride Studio Business Operations Manager

About the Role & Team

Walt Disney Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, production, project management, and research & development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Its talented Imagineers are responsible for the creation, from concept through installation, of all Disney Resorts, theme parks, and attractions. Disney Imagineers are uniquely talented individuals who bring together the best aspects of creativity, innovation, and passion.

The Ride Studio Business Operations Manager will partner with the Studio Leader, department executives, and individual project leaders to develop and implement business plans for the studio operation as well as for projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing financial guidance and collaborating with Ride executives on operating and financial strategies.

Responsibilities span a number of traditional roles, including Project Manager, Finance, Engineering, Planner, Producer, Business Development, and ultimately involve planning for the short and long-term strategic growth of the Ride organization as well as tracking our progress towards those goals.

This role will report to the Ride Engineering Studio Executive.

What You Will Do

• Lead development and execution of annual operating, financial, and resource plans, FYP, monthly forecasts, etc., that support the high-level department goals.

• Provide financial guidance that improves spending towards the achievement of strategic goals and guides decision-making towards a sound financial perspective.

• Understand, consolidate, and review capital costs to provide an overarching view of spending compared to plan.

• Produce ongoing financial, risk, and development reports on the health and progress of each project towards its goals in partnership with Finance and key Walt Disney Imagineering partners.

• Ensure studio transfer rates are achieved, operating budget targets met, Operational Improvement Projects completed, and capital expenditures properly distributed.

• Develop business models for potential new lines of business and communicate value to company collaborators.

• Assist with the development of practical work plans that move internal projects efficiently towards successful completion. Organize a sophisticated or minimally defined scope into implementable phases.

• Own the work-plan process for internal projects (development, submittal, approval, and tracking), ensuring the project focus, milestones, and spend are documented completely. Track progress against plan and align with department priorities/funding.

• Actively identify and resolve risk elements that could affect schedule and budget.

• Prepare and deliver executive presentations that represent the financial goals and strategies of the Ride studio

• Work with functional managers to develop department resource plans that advise future hiring strategies.

• Work with Project Engineers to project financial trend analyses and Earned Value reports.

• Partner with Disney Finance groups across the enterprise. Contribute to financial communications with executive stakeholders.

• Partner with Sourcing & Procurement department to establish and maintain vendor contracts.

• Develop and mentor others in the department.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 7+ years of experience in business management, finance, and/or operations-related positions

• Proven track record of translating high-level vision/scope descriptions into actionable plans and influencing strategic direction with Senior Executives.

• Possess a high degree of business acumen as well as knowledge of Walt Disney Imagineering and its essential functions.

• 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.

• Desire to learn about scope and tools outside previous experience.

• Ability to develop, maintain, and improve process and planning tools.

• Ability to excel in a creative environment with changing priorities.

• A strategic problem-solving mindset with the ability to synthesize and present information to advance business strategies, applying strong analytical skills.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related strategy-based discipline required. MBA preferred.

Additional Information

This role is located on-site in Glendale, CA.

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