Master Planner Senior

Job ID 10128751 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Aug. 25, 2025

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Job Summary:

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs, and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

Nearly every project at Walt Disney Imagineering includes a first-of-its-kind. Innovation is in our DNA, and Imagineers constantly push the boundaries of technology and invent new goals as well as the solutions to achieve them. As Imagineers, one of our greatest rewards is knowing that the experiences and environments we create inspire others. The diversity of expertise at Imagineering makes us uniquely capable of influencing positive change in our communities and around the world. And knowing that we have helped make a difference is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring for all of us.

WDI Master Planning manages the long-term development framework for sustainable growth of each resort and provides expertise to support new business opportunities. Our team provides data analytics, land planning & urban design, environmental planning, entitlement, infrastructure, and real estate development expertise to enable smart growth and preserve future flexibility for development and expansion of our parks and resorts across the globe. This team is part of the Global Creative Strategy Studio that includes the Menu (capital) and Franchise Planning teams; together we work to inform development decision-making, consistently at each of our resorts around the world.

We are seeking a collaborative Master Planner Senior talent to support and guide complex and innovative planning efforts across our global portfolio, specifically focused on our Disneyland Resort Anaheim, Asia and Abu Dhabi portfolios. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional who thrives in a data-driven, fast-paced, constantly evolving and highly collaborative environment. You will play a key role in shaping the long-term planning vision of our parks, resorts, residential and entertainment destinations, ensuring that every environment we create is not only magical but also operationally sound, sustainable, and data informed.

This position offers a unique opportunity to grow within WDI, contributing to the evolution of immersive environments while mentoring others and influencing strategic planning decisions. As a Master Planner Senior, you will collaborate across disciplines and lines of business—from creative storytelling to regulatory/legal issues to design and engineering—positioning yourself as a thought leader in themed entertainment planning and development.

You will report to the Executive Master Planner.

This is a Full-Time role.

What You Will Do:

Provide subject matter expertise across core master planning areas (e.g., urban design, strategic visioning, data analysis, pre-development).
Contribute to additional areas like government relations, sustainability, environmental and transportation planning.
Lead all phases of moderately complex projects—including procurement, budgeting, and scheduling.
Guide and execute advanced data analysis and visualization to support planning strategies.
Synthesize global, regional, and site-specific data to inform multi-variable decisions.
Use strategic, objective, and data-driven planning methods to inform project direction.
Communicate complex planning information using innovative tools and compelling visuals.
Shape planning direction and site analysis; recommend land use, density, access, and layout improvements.
Represent studio work across internal teams, vendors, consultants/contractors, and external stakeholders.
Clearly present planning concepts and generate reports on complex project issues.
Contribute to master planning and real estate strategy development.
Report project status, risks, and opportunities to Studio leadership and partners.
Maintain planning databases and tools in collaboration with global team members.
Manage consultant contracts with Studio oversight.
Mentor junior staff and interns.

Required Qualifications & Skills

5+ years of relevant planning experience.
Strategic thinker with ability to navigate complex technical and legal issues.
Skilled at turning planning strategy into actionable guidance.
Agile in fast-paced, evolving project environments; collaborates effectively across diverse teams.
Strong visual communicator, via hand sketching, modeling, or digital design.
Working knowledge of GIS; basic ArcGIS proficiency.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, and Adobe Suite (especially Illustrator and Photoshop).
Strong written and verbal communication.
Familiarity with project delivery methods and varying project scales.
Organized, with ability to manage workstreams and foster collaborative team environments.
Foundational knowledge of real estate and development.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

Knowledge and experience in World-Class Planning, Design & Development projects
Experience with or education in sustainability and/or climate resiliency
Experience working with public sector/municipalities in any areas such as land use planning, environmental planning, utilities planning, or transportation planning
Knowledge of themed entertainment and Disney brand
Membership, and active participation, in one or more professional organizations such as AICP, ASLA, ULI, AIA, APA, SARA, NCARB, LEED

Education

Professional degree in Urban Design, Urban and Regional Planning, Real Estate, Landscape Architecture or Architecture
Advanced graduate degree in a related specialized field

Additional Information:

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

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The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $103,500 to $138,800 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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About Walt Disney Imagineering:

Founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises to design and build the world’s first theme park — Disneyland — Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is where imagination and creativity combine with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences. WDI is the creative force that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from its diverse global team of creative and technical professionals, who build on Disney’s legacy of storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment. The Imagineers who practice this unique blend of art and science work in more than 100 disciplines to shepherd an idea all the way from “blue sky” concept phase to opening day.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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