Director, Development

Job Summary:

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.