Lead Technical Program Manager (Identity)

On any given day at Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology (DEET), we’re reimagining ways to create magical viewing experiences for the world’s most beloved stories while also redefining Disney’s media business for the future. Whether that’s evolving our streaming and digital products in new and immersive ways, powering worldwide advertising and distribution to improve flexibility and efficiency, or delivering Disney’s unmatched entertainment and sports content, every day is a moment to make a difference to partners and to hundreds of millions of people around the world!

• Building the future of Disney’s media business: DE&E Technologists are designing and building the infrastructure that will power Disney’s media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.
• Reach & Scale: The products and platforms this group builds and operates delight millions of consumers every minute of every day – from Disney+ and Hulu, to ABC News and Entertainment, to ESPN and ESPN+, and much more.
• Innovation: We develop and complete groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and enhance how audiences experience sports, entertainment & news.

Business Operations is responsible for global program and project management, capital and portfolio management, resource prioritization, tracking and communication of performance, administrative services, Annual Operating Plan & LRP Planning, Space Management, and other key functions critical to the operation of DE&E Technology division. This position is part of the Global Program Management team which leads the execution of DE&E Technology programs, including scope, delivery schedules and budgets in addition to identifying dependencies, managing risks and quantifying business impact. This role collaborates with Product, Engineering and QA to understand and rationalize strategic roadmaps while providing easy to understand, transparent reporting to leadership during delivery.

Within the Business Operations organization the Lead Technical Program Mgr. is responsible for running small through large-scale, complex projects in the Software Engineering area from initiation through closure. These initiatives will involve daily hands-on management of technology activities applying Agile and Scrum based software development practices; and may include working with other technical teams to effectively deliver business solutions. This role requires a wide range of leadership competencies, technical (PM) experience and communications skills. Responsible for leading projects using DE&E Technology processes, tools and methodologies, which includes the development of the scope of work and the management of time, cost, risk, and communications.

Responsibilities:

• Drive Activities for strategic technical programs including:
  • Develop appropriate plans and timelines comprised of complex activities and dependences.
  • Ensure that all involved parties understand and accept their roles and responsibilities.
  • Ensure transparency of progress and issues/risks. Proactively drive risk mitigation and contingency planning, along with issue resolution.
  • Manage dependencies.
  • Communicate status, updates, and program summaries via presentations, email, and direct communication with key stakeholders and executive leadership.
  • Track and report key program metrics, informing stakeholders as appropriate.
• Have experience with industry-standard delivery management tools including JIRA, Confluence, AirTable
• Excel in leading effective meetings (keeping teams on track), document decisions and follow up.
• Display initiative, take a proactive approach, and can start the conversation.
• Negotiate with skill and can identify a solution path for various contending requirements or partner preferences.
• Learns quickly and enthusiastically, particularly about technical systems and issues.
• Constantly evaluating process and seeking for ways to improve at every iteration.

Basic Qualifications:

• Have 7+ years of technical project management experience leading large-scale, strategic programs in a well-established global technology organization.
• Capable of managing, tracking, and troubleshooting multiple initiatives in a deadline-driven environment with cross-functional teams, vendors, and partners
• Evidence of solid planning, delivery, and problem-solving skills
• BA/BS or equivalent experience required.
• Extensive knowledge and experience with the software development lifecycle.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CSM / CSP Certification preferred.
• Experience in streaming media software and digital technology.
• Have some technical proficiency demonstrated in any number of ways, ex. coding skills, quality assurance experience or technical writing background or similar.

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