Lead Technical Project Manager (Project Hire/Internal Assignment ) - Disney Experiences

"We Power the Magic!” That’s our motto at Disney Experiences (DX) Tech & Digital. Our team creates world-class immersive digital experiences for the Company’s premier vacation brands. We deliver experiences to consumers through our Disney’s Parks & Resorts worldwide, Disney Cruise Lines, and Disney Vacation Club. We are responsible for the end-to-end digital and physical Guest experience for all technology & digitally led initiatives across the Attractions & Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Resorts & Transportation and Merchandise lines of business, as well as other initiatives such as Hey, Disney! 

As a Lead Technical Program/Project Manager you will identify, plan and coordinate a set of related projects within a program, to manage their interdependencies in support of specific business strategies across the Commerce Technology Portfolio and Program.  This role sits with the 3PO Team which is responsible for program/project technical project management, project financial management, and program strategy, partnering with Technology, Product, and Design to plan and deliver against our strategic objectives.  

This is an estimated 24-month Temporary Assignment (or Internal Assignment), with no guarantee of permanent placement. 

What You’ll Do

Drives Program/Project deliverables 

• Develops strategic planning and prioritization for S/VP portfolios with their leader(s) and Finance; establishes and refines deliverables for key finance milestones (Long Term Plan, Annual Capital Plan, Annual Operating Plan) 

• Facilitates evaluation and alignment on the delivery of rationalized and prioritized S/VP program input to forecasts in alignment with key parameters (financial targets, ramp-up plans, project priorities etc.) 

• Identifies risks and opportunities, taking a proactive approach to problem solve; shares reporting & insights with a point of view to make actionable recommendations to Executives on behalf of the Portfolio & Program Strategy team. 

• Produces monthly expense and capital forecasts, roll-up each forecast by line of business for submission to Finance and/or other business leaders. 

• Researches and provides cause of change for variances; delivers monthly/quarterly financial & portfolio updates. 

• Maintains a continuous view of resource demand and capacity across the program; proactively partner with Tech & Digital leadership to plan for leveled resource allocation across development and sustainment activities. 

• Ability to liaison / translate financials and objectives for T&D leaders, business partners, Finance, Sourcing & Procurement, etc. to tell the ‘story’ behind the numbers.   

• Recommends prioritization and rationalization decision-making with leaders. 

• Fosters & evolves partnerships and communication with leaders, Finance, and other related teams to collaborate across the projects for deliverables. 

• Establishes & maintains an area’s Technology and Digital roadmap, partnering with the area leaders. Engages with a diverse set of team members and executive partners to gain an understanding of business strategies and align with Technology solutions. 

• Partners with Technology & Digital leaders on product capabilities, understanding uncommitted and/or committed value 

Undertakes program/project planning 

• Identifies, plans, and coordinates a set of related projects within a program, to manage their interdependencies in support of specific business strategies 

• Develops and implements long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program 

• Participates in the annual budgeting and operating plan to support the program 

• Build strong business relationships in order to define strategic plans and product roadmaps 

Manages execution of program/project 

• Coordinates and facilitates delivery of program objectives  

• Ensures timely completion of tasks, maintaining program schedule and target dates 

• Leads and directs high-priority matrix projects, which often require considerable resources and high levels of functional integration and interaction with project sponsors and teams 

• Conducts program meetings at leadership and/or executive director levels 

• Develops and manages a project change control process as needed to ensure project team operates within the scope of change approval process  

• Provides input and feedback to program team members 

• Identifies and evaluates the risks associated with program activities and takes appropriate action to mitigate the risks 

• Continually reviews available resources to maintain first-hand knowledge of where resources can be best allocated; reevaluates current resources to determine project resource surplus and shortfalls 

Prepares and executes program/project communication 

• Ensures all program/project stakeholders receive orientation and appropriate training in accordance with organizational standards 

• Communicates with clients and other stakeholders to gain support for the program or specific projects, and to solicit input to improve the program 

• Liaises with managers to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery 

• Conducts regular program/project status meetings with all stakeholders, keeping the stakeholder’s needs and requirements continuously in view  

• Works collaboratively with development staff and support staff to maintain thorough knowledge of capabilities, and to ensure precise communications between project teams and stakeholders  

• Creates program presentations and reports for executive leadership, program sponsors and stakeholders 

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum of 7 years of Program/Project management experience (such as: Project Lead, SCRUM Master, Agile Coach) working with technical teams developing enterprise class solutions 

• Technical project management expertise for a global or national brand(s), working closely with technology, creative and user experience teams 

• Hands-on experience with practices such as Agile, Lean, Kanban, Waterfall as well as extensive experience with pragmatic blending of styles to facilitate collaboration and delivery 

• Ability to understand architectural and technical aspects of projects 

• Excellent organizational, communication (written and verbal) and time management skills with attention to detail 

• Experience with Agile Application Lifecycle Management and development tools like JIRA, Confluence Wiki 

• Understanding of Agile technical practices, DevOps and testing concepts (CI/CD, TDD) 

• Experience in coaching and mentoring teams on project management practices including Agile, Lean, Kanban, Waterfall 

• Experience with budget tracking and complex cost-benefit analysis 

• Experience managing and prioritizing projects within the program and working seamlessly with various teams and stakeholders in a matrix organization 

• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment 

• Ability to influence negotiations to achieve a favor outcome for both parties. 

• Demonstrated analysis/assessment capabilities; Self-motivated and dedicated to performing above expectations. 

• Demonstrated ability to drive complex forecasts & capacity plans and to effectively communicate risks and dependencies to leaders and business partners. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical project management experience in software development

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification 

• Agile Certifications (CSM; ACP; CSPO; SAFe; LeSS) 

Education

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent work experience

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