“We Power the Magic!” That’s our motto at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Technology & Digital. Our team creates world-class immersive digital experiences for the Company’s premier vacation brands including Disney’s Parks & Resorts worldwide, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, and Disney Vacation Club.
The Technology & Digital team is responsible for the end-to-end digital and physical Guest experience for all technology & digital-led initiatives across the Attractions & Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Resorts & Transportation, and Merchandise lines of business as well as other initiatives including the MyDisneyExperience and Hey, Disney!
What You Will Do
The Lead Technical Program/Project Manager 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.
Undertakes program/project planning

• 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 to define strategic plans and product roadmaps

Leads execution of program/project

• Coordinates and facilitates delivery of program objectives
• Ensures timely completion of tasks, maintaining program schedule and target dates
• Leads and advises 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 runs 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 resolve project resource surplus and shortfalls

Drives Program/Project results

• Develops strategic planning and prioritization for S/VP portfolios with their leader(s) and Finance; establishes and refines results for key finance achievements (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 tackle; 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.
• Cultivate & evolves partnerships and communication with leaders, Finance, and other related teams to collaborate across the projects for results.
• 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

Prepares and drives program/project communication

• Ensures all program/project partners receive orientation and appropriate training in accordance with organizational standards
• Communicates with clients and other partners 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 partners, keeping the partner’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 partners
• Creates program presentations and reports for executive leadership, program sponsors and partners

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 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 in Information Technology, Business or related field and 7 years of Program/Project management experience (such as: Project Lead, SCRUM Master, Agile Coach) working with technical teams developing enterprise class solutions
• Or Master’s Degree in Information Technology, Business or related field. and 5 years of Program/Project management experience (such as: Project Lead, SCRUM Master, Agile Coach) working with technical teams developing enterprise class solutions

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